Heading for Alonissos: first Greek stopover for Monaco Explorations
In the heart of the Sporades, the island of Alonissos is home to the largest Marine Protected Area in the Mediterranean, an essential sanctuary for biodiversity and in particular for the Mediterranean monk seal(Monachus monachus), an emblematic and endangered species.
It was here, on October 7, that Monaco Explorations launched the first activities of their mission to Greece, marking the start of a series of scientific, educational and diplomatic meetings focusing on the sea and its preservation.
Mediation, science and awareness-raising
As soon as they arrived, the Explorations de Monaco mediation team ran several educational workshops for the children of Alonissos, in collaboration with the island’s schools and local partners.
Two workshops were offered:
- the “Living Water” workshop, designed by Plankton Planet and presented by Kelly Godard and Mariavisite , for children aged 7 to 12,
- the “Mer Méditerranée” workshop, designed by the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco for teenagers over 12.


A total of 164 children – almost all the island’s youngsters – took part in these workshops to discover the richness of plankton, marine life and the challenges of preserving the Mediterranean Sea.
A workshop for adults, led in Greek by Cristina Sarris, also brought together 16 participants from Marine Protected Area stakeholders, with the participation of the Thalassa Foundation and NECCA (Natural Environment & Climate Change Agency).
Finally, a presentation of the “Living Water” workshop was held on board MODX 70-01, in the presence of members of the Thalassa Foundation and the manager of the Alonissos MPA.
Explore, understand, protect: the scientific mission
Scientists from the Mar4Past (Marine Forests for the Past and the Future) project have begun their dives around the islands of Alonissos and Piperi, taking advantage of a lull in the weather to return to emblematic Greek sites studied over fifteen years ago.
Their objective: to assess the current state of marine forests in relation to the pressure exerted by herbivores (fish and sea urchins). This long-term comparative study will document the evolution of these essential ecosystems, the lungs of the Mediterranean.
At the same time, the EXOFISH-MED program has been focusing on the exotic species that are gradually colonizing Mediterranean ecosystems. The aim is to gain a better understanding of how they settle, identify the most vulnerable areas and better manage coastal ecosystems.
The program took place in two stages:
- Theoretical training in the classroom, presenting the ecological issues, the target species and the census protocol;
- followed by a practical dive application, with surveys carried out on defined transects to collect standardized data.
Photographer Greg Lecoeur, who accompanied Monaco Explorations on this stopover, followed and documented these scientific dives, bearing witness through his images to the richness and complexity of the Mediterranean underwater world.
A princely visit to Alonissos
On October 9, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco reached Alonissos aboard MODX 70-01, for a day of meetings and exchanges as part of the Greek mission of Explorations de Monaco.
During the boat trip, the Sovereign Prince sailed past the famous caves on the island of Skopelos that are home to the Mediterranean monk seal, observing a female and her pup from afar without disturbing them. In Alonissos, he met up with Marine National Park staff, researchers, local associations and fishermen, all committed to protecting marine wildlife and promoting sustainable practices.
This visit illustrates the Sovereign Prince’s and Monaco Explorations’ desire to support scientific research, encourage government cooperation and promote concrete solutions for ocean preservation.

Maéva Bardy
A cross-section of communicators and artists on board
This first Greek stopover was also an opportunity to welcome on board MODX 70-01 a number of communicators and artists to share their views on the sea, science and exploration.
Writer Julien Blanc-Gras came on board to tell the story of the mission with his unique style, blending humor and wonder. Illustrator Anne Bénoliel Defréville sketched moments of life on board, the faces and gestures of the scientists, biodiversity and Mediterranean landscapes. Marie Treibert, a journalist and science popularizer, helped spread the word about the mission on social networks through immersive, educational content.
Alongside them, Maéva Bardy, on-board correspondent for Explorations de Monaco, followed every stage of the mission, gathering first-hand accounts from those involved and capturing the teams’ daily lives through on-board stories and images.
What's next? Heading for Volos
After this stopover rich in exchanges, science and sharing, the Greece mission of Explorations de Monaco is now heading for the town of Volos, in the Pagasetic Gulf, the next stop on this Mediterranean journey.