Manta Conservation Experience

BE PART OF
ONE-OF-A-KIND
EXPERIENCE BY
OCEANÁRIO DE LISBOA,
AND DIVE IN
OCEAN
CONSERVATION

Know more about this programme in Azores, Portugal

© Nuno Sá

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Experience an 8-day diving programme to explore the unique beauty of Santa Maria Island
  • Learn more about the sicklefin devil rays and manta rays
  • Get hands-on experience in conservation research guided by a researcher
  • Learn Photo-ID techniques and contribute to the Manta Catalog Azores database
  • Join local communities in the protection of nature
  • Supporting the project’s research efforts by boosting its financial sustainability
© Nuno Sá

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Includes

  • 8 days / 7 nights
  • 10 dives
  • Dive with devil rays at Ambrósio Seamount and several other marine reserves
  • Daily guidance and dedicated talks and workshops about devil ray conservation
  • Conservation Photography and Photo-ID workshop
  • Accommodation in a 4**** Hotel, Santa Maria Hotel
  • Meals and drinks (soft drinks, tea and coffee)
  • Leisure activities in Santa Maria island
  • Transportation to and from Santa Maria Airport
  • Equipment, taxes and service fees

3.600€ *

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* Prices are in euros per guest and based on single hotel room occupancy. Maximum of 6 participants.

This amazing adventure requires an Advanced Open Water certification level
(Open Water certification might be accepted in cases of proven extensive diving)

Excludes

Flights; Dive courses; Wet suit rental *; Add-on excursions ** (for example hiking/BTT tour, birdwatching, canyoning …); Alcoholic drinks; Travel insurance ***

* Price depends on equipment needed
** We can help you arrange these extras
*** Dive insurance is required and general travel insurance is highly recommended

TEAM

Ana Filipa Sobral

Ana Filipa Sobral

Manta Catalog Azores
Founder and Project Leader

MORE INFO +

Ana’s connection with nature, and specially the ocean, was evident from the early age of five. The desire to become a marine biologist stemmed from wanting not only to learn more about the marine environment, but also to work towards its conservation. As she grew, so did that passion, which drove her to complete her BSc degree in Biology at the University of the Algarve in 2010. The will to work in marine conservation made her travel abroad to Mozambique to participate in a whale shark and manta ray conservation project. It was there that she had her first encounter with a manta ray, an experience she will never forget. The curiosity and penetrating eyes of these wonderful and mysterious animals immediately fascinated and intrigued her.

Nuno Vasco Rodrigues

Nuno Vasco Rodrigues

Conservation photographer

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Nuno Vasco Rodrigues is a marine biologist with a master’s degree in integrated Ocean Studies. Throughout his career, Nuno worked in several leading institutions in the field of marine studies and conservation, has been involved in several conservation projects and has been part of many scientific expeditions, which gave a deep knowledge about ocean life. He is the author of dozens of scientific articles and three books on marine fauna, having contributed to many others.

João Ferraria

João Ferraria

Dive Instructor

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João is an experienced diver and diving instructor based in the Azores islands since 2010, where he has done over 2700 dives. His passion for the ocean started in 1999, where he started his action-packed career as a Divemaster in Lisbon. Driven by his enthusiasm, he takes pride in providing the best knowledge tools to assist autonomous divers to have the best diving experience possible. Diving Instructor since 2003, he teaches a variety of diving courses and specialties and, while doing so, makes sure to raise awareness on environmental and conservation issues related to local fauna and flora, participating in local scientific studies. João believes that diving experiences can be accessible to everyone and, since his early careers days, has been dedicated to instructing teenagers, special-needs citizens, and people with social challenges. As a recognized Dive Guide, Instructor, Technical Director and Diving Course Coordinator João founded his own dive school “7 Mares” in 2021, where he guides and teaches coastal and offshore dives, particularly with sharks and mantas.

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OCEANÁRIO DE LISBOA

Oceanário ́s mission is to encourage people to learn more about the ocean and make all citizens aware of their responsibility to conserve their natural heritage. Oceanário finances various conservation projects around the world, including Manta Catalog Azores, a project documenting the occurrence and aggregations of sicklefin devil ray (Mobula tarapacana) and the oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris) in the Azores. Manta Conservation Experience invites participants to tale part in manta and devil ray conservation.

OCEANÁRIO DE LISBOA
© Pedro Pina
OCEANÁRIO DE LISBOA
© Pedro Pina

ABOUT THE AZORES AND SANTA MARIA ISLAND

Located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, just a few hours from both mainland Europe and North America, the Azores archipelago has a unique natural heritage and historic relationship with the ocean. Comprised of nine islands and extending from the coastline to the depths of the open sea are important marine ecosystems such as seamounts, hydrothermal vents, and deep coral gardens.

AZORES AND SANTA MARIA ISLAND
© Pepe Brix
AZORES AND SANTA MARIA ISLAND
© Pepe Brix

TESTIMONIALS

Amazing!
I couldn’t have asked for more.
Even not including the manta rays it ́s been like a great time staying on the boat, really lovely people, interesting people... and then seeing manta rays every day and not just one or two!

Bethany Smith

The Azores have captured my heart and soul. I’ve certainly learned a lot from the marine biologist on board. It ́s been interesting diving with them.

Will Appleyard

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BE PART OF ONE-OF-A-KIND EXPERIENCE

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