22nd to 25th September 2023
29th September to 2nd October 2023

  • 4-days exploring the unique beauty off the coast of Lisbon and discovering its marine biodiversity
  • Live aboard the Santa Maria Manuela, a historical 63-meter tall sailing ship at Arrábida, one of Portugal’s most pristine marine reserves and an oasis of marine life
  • An exclusive experience, chaperoned by a marine biologist
2.150

Prices are in euros per guest.
Maximum of 32 participants.

Lisbon Ocean Experience

© Santa Maria Manuela

SET SAIL AND EMBRACE BIODIVERSITY

A voyage for enquiring minds, fascinated by the beauty and diversity of oceanic and coastal habitats, energized by the prospect of harnessing the power of the wind, and excited by exploring Portugal’s culture.

The acclaimed Portuguese tall ship Santa Maria Manuela and global award-winning Oceanário de Lisboa have curated a unique expedition of ecological, maritime, and cultural discovery.

Imagine an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of one of the world’s most celebrated aquariums or a journey from Lisbon’s historic shoreline, helming a classic 63-meter tall sailing ship under the stars. Get up close with dolphin, go kayaking under the jagged cliffs of Arrábida Natural Park, and have an eye-to-eye meeting with an octopus as you dive or snorkel in one of Portugal’s most pristine marine reserves. Celebrate this adventure of environmental and cultural enlightenment guided by a marine biologist during a final sunset evening of local food and song.

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Lisbon Ocean Experience

© Santa Maria Manuela

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • 4-days exploring the unique beauty off the coast of Lisbon and discovering its marine biodiversity
  • Behind-the-scenes tour at the Oceanário de Lisboa
  • Live aboard a 63-meter tall sailing ship
  • Swim in the underwater world of the Arrábida Natural Park and learn more about the unique and amazing biodiversity that lives there
  • Explore the coast of Sesimbra by kayak and discover the jagged landscape of cliffs, caves, and beaches, all bathed by the crystal-clear waters of the Atlantic
  • Travel on the Sado Estuary and discover one of only three sedentary dolphin communities in Europe
  • Make an authentic connection with local fisherman of the region as you work with them to choose, prepare and cook the most traditional Portuguese fish dishes
  • Sail up the Tagus river with the giant statue of Cristo Rei and the 25 Abril bridge silhouetted by the rising sun
  • Be a part of an exclusive experience, chaperoned by a marine biologist (maximum of 32 participants)

© Santa Maria Manuela

Lisbon Ocean Experience

© Santa Maria Manuela

OUR TRAVELLERS

The Lisbon Ocean Experience participants are ocean lovers and have in common a fascination for the marine world and its mysteries and wonders. With this experience you will be thrilled by unique moments with a deep connection with the ocean and the Portuguese cultural traditions.

Our participants are seeking authentic adventures full of nature, culture and history, that will enable them to return home with lifelong memories, having gained a unique and intimate insight into Lisbon’s coastline above and below the water. Participants in this experience are helping to grow a wider community of ambassadors for the conservation and knowledge of the ocean.

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Lisbon Ocean Experience

© Santa Maria Manuela

ABOUT THE SANTA MARIA MANUELA

Santa Maria Manuela (SMM) is an acclaimed Portuguese tall ship that was launched in 1937, in Lisbon, Portugal. Between 1937 and 1993, SMM transported thousands of sailors to Newfoundland and Greenland in the pursuit of cod, the prize catch for the people of Portugal.

Having come to the end of her life as a commercial fishing vessel, in 2010 she was rebuilt into a sail training vessel, and, in 2022, after a complete refurbishment, she is today amongst the most modern and comfortable tall sailing ships in the world.

Sailing aboard the SMM, a historic four-masted sailing schooner known as one of the tall ship world’s most elegant vessels, is a truly multisensory experience. The deck and rigging are authentically honest to her origins with the added inclusion of soft seating. Below deck, no cost has been spared during her 2022 renovation. Space for convivial dining and relaxation in comfort is complemented by modern accommodation with ensuite shower rooms in all cabins.

Aboard, the ship offers environmentally conscious hands-on sailing and diving voyages. No previous sailing experience is necessary, and guests, young and old, are invited to get involved in all aspects of sailing under the careful guidance of the professional crew. When not sailing, or immersed in an adventure overflowing with salt water, there’s plenty to do on deck, from climbing the mast, taking part in knot tying workshops, learning to helm or navigate under the stars, or simply enjoying a glass of wine in good company by the ship’s deck bar.

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Lisbon Ocean Experience

© Pedro Pina

AN EXPERIENCE BY OCEANÁRIO DE LISBOA

Recognized three times as “the best aquarium in the world” by Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice, the Oceanário de Lisboa is a place that brings the ocean to the city through the nearly 500 marine species that inhabit it. The Oceanário’s mission is to encourage visitors to learn more about the ocean, making them aware of their own responsibility in conserving our natural heritage by changing their behaviour towards a more sustainable society.

The Lisbon Ocean Experience, founded in 2022 as a programme for ecotourism, aims to help to grow a wider community of ambassadors for the conservation of the ocean and marine ecosystems. By participating in this experience curated by Oceanário de Lisboa, you will also be supporting research and conservation projects by boosting financial sustainability, which will allow for a larger and full-time dedicated team and continuous long-term studies of marine species and ecosystems.

The Lisbon Ocean Experience starts with an immersive visit to the Oceanário de Lisboa, delving into the natural world from start to finish, including a behind-the-scenes exclusive tour - which is also an invitation to join us on a path together towards protecting marine biodiversity.

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© Vertigem Azul

Lisbon Ocean Experience

© Vertigem Azul

ABOUT LISBON OCEAN BIODIVERSITY

Lisbon is one of the European cities with the closest proximity to a wonderful and vast marine world.

At the Arrábida mountain, participants will fall in love with the sense of harmony felt here between land and sea. This natural park boasts the highest lime-stone cliffs in Europe, offering a place of incomparable beauty and rich plant life.

Among the dense vegetation that is unique to the Mediterranean region and the imposing mountain ranges that surround the coast, participants will be able to observe up close the colours and textures of the common octopus, be amazed by the fluorescence of the jewel anemones, that can be seen with the naked eye, and marvel at the pod of bottlenose dolphin which are resident on the Sado Estuary.

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Lisbon Ocean Experience

© Santa Maria Manuela

LISBON OCEAN EXPERIENCE ECO VOYAGE

Our voyage starts in the company of one local and experienced marine biologist for a private behind the scenes tour of the award winning Oceanário. This immersive experience takes you on a contemplative journey through the underwater world to discover 8,000 sea creatures. There’s little wonder that the Oceanário de Lisboa has three times been recognized as the world’s leading aquarium, both for its content, and for its conservational and educational initiatives.

In the convivial company of our marine biologist, crew, and new-found shipmates, enjoy the delights of Portuguese cuisine and be enchanted by Fado, a song declared by UNESCO as the ‘intangible cultural heritage of humanity’ in 2011.

Travel in the wake of Portuguese forefathers and learn to sail the Santa Maria Manuela as we voyage along Lisbon’s historic city shoreline, under the famous 25 Abril suspension bridge, heading south towards the Arrábida National reserve.

Explore the coast of Sesimbra by kayak and discover the jagged landscape of cliffs, caves and beaches, all bathed by the crystal-clear waters of the Atlantic.

Immerse yourself in the tranquil sea of Luiz Saldanha Marine Park and discover the unusually diverse ecosystem of this unique region. The dive or snorkel is enriched by an educational talk, by our resident marine biologist, on the conservation project, which is protecting this fragile ecosystem, making it one of Portugal’s most vibrant rocky reef systems.

Travel on the Sado Estuary and discover one of only three sedentary dolphin communities in Europe. The flotilla of about 30 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) is frequently seen in the waters of Setúbal and Troia.

Meet local fisherman and learn how to choose, prepare, and cook the most traditional Portuguese fish dishes.

As the sunset sinks below the horizon with a glass of wine shared with shipmates on the deck of our historic four masted schooner, is there any better way to celebrate the end of this voyage of Portuguese discovery?

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Lisbon Ocean Experience

© Santa Maria Manuela

LISBON OCEAN EXPERIENCE ITINERARY

DAY 1

Morning

Arriving in Lisbon. Private transfer to Santa Maria Manuela tall ship

Afternoon

Exclusive behind the scenes tour of the Oceanário de Lisboa escorted by a local and experienced marine biologist

Evening

Board the Santa Maria Manuela and enjoy the Portuguese traditional dishes seasoned by Fado, the mournful song closely associated with Portugal’s marinas

DAY 2

Morning

Set sail west along Lisbon’s historic city shoreline, under the famous 25 Abril suspension bridge.

Hands-on sail training experience learning to trim the sails for best speed, helm the wheel or climb the mast

Evening

Talk by your marine biologist expedition leader about the Arrábida Natural Reserve project

DAY 3

Morning

Diving or snorkeling tour of Arrabida’s protected reef

Look out for octopus (Octopus vulgaris), cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) and triggerfish

Kayak tour of Luiz Saldanha Marine Park

Swim and leisure on Ribeira do Cavalo beach

Afternoon

Look out for the Sado’s resident flotilla of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus); one of only 3 sedentary dolphin communities in Europe (common sightings)

Evening

Cultural evening: choose, prepare, and cook with local fishermen.

DAY 4

Morning

Sail into the Tagus River at sunrise and breakfast onboard before disembarking.

Lisbon Ocean Experience

© Santa Maria Manuela

LISBON OCEAN EXPERIENCE DETAILS

22nd to 25th September 2023
29th to 2nd October 2023

Includes

  • 4 days / 3 nights
  • Accommodation aboard the ship
  • Meals and drinks (wine, beer, soft drinks, tea, and coffee)
  • Daily guidance by marine biologist and expedition leader
  • Cultural evening – learning how to prepare the most traditional Portuguese fish dishes with local fishermen
  • Fado session
  • Behind-the-scenes tour of the Oceanário de Lisboa
  • Dolphin Watching
  • Use of kayaks, power boat
  • Diving equipment
  • Leisure activities aboard ship
  • Taxes, service fees and port charges
  • Transfer from Airport
2.150

Prices are in euros per guest.
Maximum of 32 participants.

Lisbon Ocean Experience

© Nuno Vasco Rodrigues - Underwater Photography

Excludes

  • Flights
  • Transportation from the Santa Maria Manuela
  • Add-on excursions not mentioned in this programme
  • Spirit drinks and discretionary tips
  • Travel insurance**
  • Dive courses

** Dive insurance is required and general travel insurance is highly recommended

Lisbon Ocean Experience

© Chase Baker / Unsplash

Other useful information:

  • Water temperature is usually 16-24 ºC
  • Air temperature is 18-26 ºC
  • Sea and weather conditions may vary a lot and the program may need to be adjusted accordingly
  • This amazing adventure does not require diving experience

For more information, please contact us:

corporate@oceanario.pt

Payment conditions

50% at the time of booking and the remaining 50% up to 4 weeks before the beginning of the program.

Cancellation Policy

  • Cancellations up to 4 weeks before the start of the program: fee of 30% of total cost will be deducted and the remainder will be refunded.
  • Cancellations less than 4 weeks before the program starts: no refund.

REGISTRATION

Personal Data

Emergency Contact

Dietary Preferences

Do you have food alergies?

Do you have dietary restrictions?

Do you have a food you particulary dislike?

Additional Information

Do you attest that, to the best of your knowledge, all information provided is accurate and complete?

Activities

Please select the activities you are interested in for the morning of day 3

Diving Information

Do you already have a Dive Insurance?

Will you need any diving gear?

If Yes, which one? (Diving bottles and weight belts are provided)

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