Wildlife Conservation Tours

What to Expect on a Responsible Marine Wildlife Experience

Our wildlife conservation tours in Montenegro are organised in collaboration with MDR – Montenegro Dolphin Research, combining responsible tourism, marine wildlife research, and hands-on eco-tourism experiences in the Adriatic Sea.

Wildlife Conservation Tours - a dolphin jumping out of the water
Source: MDR

These tours are not ordinary boat trips — they are ethical wildlife watching tours designed to support real scientific monitoring and long-term conservation of Montenegro’s coastal ecosystems.

See the Bay of Kotor through the eyes of dolphin researchers. With an expert on board and a hydrophone to listen in, you’ll not only see dolphins – you’ll discover their world, and learn how to keep it safe.

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A Science-Led Marine Wildlife Tour

Upon arrival, guests are welcomed by Captain Ivan and at least two members of the MDR marine research team. Before departure, Captain Ivan provides a full safety briefing to ensure a secure and comfortable experience at sea.

Source: MDR

After departure, the researchers onboard will provide an introduction into the marine wildlife species found in Montenegrin waters and explain how scientific data is collected during the trip.

Ethical Dolphin Watching in the Adriatic Sea

Throughout the tour, the research team actively scans the sea for wildlife, carefully monitoring the surroundings. As these are wild animals that are never lured with food or other methods, sightings cannot be guaranteed. This ensures the experience follows strict ethical wildlife-watching principles.

What Happens When Dolphins Are Sighted

If dolphins are sighted, the researchers explain what guests are observing, including but not limited to behaviour, group structure, and the presence of calves or subadults. Meanwhile, researchers photograph dolphins for photo-identification research, allowing individual dolphins to be tracked over time. This contributes to long-term dolphin conservation in Montenegro.

You will learn about:

  • Behaviour patterns
  • Social structure and group dynamics
  • Presence of calves and subadults
  • Feeding and travelling behaviour

When conditions allow and the boat is stationary, a hydrophone is placed in the water so guests can listen live to the whistles and clicks of dolphins.

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Sea Turtle Encounters & Marine Biodiversity

Wildlife Conservation Tours - picture of aloggerhead sea turtle
Caretta caretta, loggerhead turtle © Kostas Papafitsoros

It is also possible to encounter sea turtles in Montenegrin waters, most commonly loggerhead sea turtles. If a turtle is sighted, the research team will share information about the species and its conservation, while also photographing the individual to support ongoing monitoring and research.

Contributing to Citizen Science – Wave Watch Montenegro

All sightings will be reported to Wave Watch Montenegro, an open-access sighting network established in Montenegro, in which local fishermen, tour boat operators, citizens and tourists are able to upload their sightings. The observer can report the location with a pin on google maps, the group size, species and share any photos or videos they have.

By participating in our wildlife conservation tours, guests indirectly support a growing national database that strengthens marine protection efforts.

Join Wave Watch Montenegro Dolphin Sighting Group

Strict Wildlife-Watching Guidelines

Our wildlife conservation tours strictly follow international marine wildlife watching guidelines, ensuring minimal disturbance and maximum respect for animals.

Key principles include:

  • Maintaining a minimum distance of 150 metres
  • Slow, parallel approach — never cutting across the animals’ path
  • No chasing
  • Maximum interaction time of 30 minutes
  • No more than two boats per encounter
  • No feeding, touching, or littering
  • Guests asked to keep noise levels low

These standards ensure that the experience aligns with best practices in sustainable tourism and ethical eco-tourism in Montenegro.

Wildlife Conservation Tour Description

Duration: cca. 3 h

Price 180 EUR (3 hours) + 50 EUR Research Team Contribution
The price refers to the entire trip, not per person.

If you are based in Kotor, we can pick you up at the dock in front of your hotel/apartment, or meet you at our usual mooring spot.

Complimentary drinks included (water, juice and rakija).

Please note: While dolphins are regularly present in the Bay of Kotor as it serves as their home and feeding spot, we cannot guarantee encounters as they are wild animals and their behavior remains unpredictable.

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Dolphin Fun Facts

Dolphins aren’t just beautiful – they play a big role in the sea’s balance.

Wildlife Conservation Tours - Dolphin facts
Source: MDR

Wildlife Watching Guidelines

During the entire tour, Captain Ivan and the research team strictly follow wildlife-watching guidelines. This includes maintaining a minimum distance of 150 metres, approaching animals slowly and parallel to their movement, and never cutting across their path or chasing them.

To protect the animals and minimise disturbance, interaction time is limited to a maximum of 30 minutes, with no more than two boats permitted per encounter.

Guests are kindly asked to keep noise to a minimum to avoid startling wildlife.

Additional guidelines include no littering, no feeding, and no touching of animals, ensuring a safe and respectful experience for both wildlife and visitors.

Why This Matters

High-speed, noisy boats don’t just spoil the view – they put dolphins, turtles, and people at risk. Careful navigation means safer seas and healthier wildlife.

Beyond Dolphin Watching

Looking to explore further? We also offer:

And for food lovers:

If you’d like to read more about how sound impacts dolphins:

Join Us

 If you want to experience the Bay of Kotor in a unique way – learning, listening, and maybe meeting dolphins face to face – book your place and come aboard.

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