Come September and visitors can have their first Lisbon Ocean Experience, which is a remarkable eco-tourism programme aboard a historical sailing ship that will go on a four-day sailing in the Tagus River
Most people head to an aquarium in order to see marine animals in an environment that tries to replicate their natural, at least to some extent. Few can have the luxury of seeing the animals in their natural and original habitat. Now, Oceanário de Lisboa, a renowned aquarium in Lisbon, has come up with a novel experience that allows visitors to see and experience the marine biodiversity in and around Lisbon, not just inside a glass-fronted pool, but also out in the nature.
Come September and visitors can have their first Lisbon Ocean Experience, which is a remarkable eco-tourism programme aboard a historical sailing ship that will go on a four-day sailing in the Tagus River. According to the officials of Oceanário de Lisboa, during this unforgettable journey, visitors can get to know the biodiversity of the river and be thrilled with the bottle nose dolphins on the Sado River. Underwater, in the Professor Luiz Saldanha Marine Park, participants will find one of the largest biodiversity oases in Europe, where more than 2,000 species have already been observed.
“Lisbon is the only European capital with this proximity to such a vast marine world, which makes it possible, in a programme lasting a few days, to get to know the beauty and wide diversity of oceanic and coastal habitats,” says Elsa Courela, Education and Commercial Director of Oceanário de Lisboa. Each expedition is accompanied by a marine biologist who will share knowledge of the sealife and landscape.
“We hope that Lisbon Ocean Experience participants return home with a deep connection to the ocean and having increased their awareness of the fragility and beauty of these species and ecosystems, on which we all depend. This is the great differentiating element of this experience! It is more than just a holiday as it intends to inspire a new community of ambassadors for ocean conservation,” Courela adds.
Lisbon Ocean Experience, with sailing on Santa Maria Manuela, a tall ship, is a one-of-a-kind journey, that is limited to 32 persons at a time
The programme starts with a private, behind-the-scenes tour of Oceanário, which offers an immersive journey through the under water world to discover 8,000 sea creatures.
Lisbon Ocean Experience, with sailing on Santa Maria Manuela, a tall ship, is a one-of-a-kind journey, that is limited to 32 persons at a time. Yet, no experience in sailing or diving is required to go aboard this programme that is suitable for families with children from 14 years old.
The sailings this year have been planned from September 22-25 and September 29-October 2, 2023 and each trip costs EUR 2,150 per person.
Even those who cannot make it to the cruise may find reasons enough to visit the Oceanário de Lisboa to see one of its key exhibitions this year. One Planet, One Ocean, the main exhibition at the aquarium is a multisensory experience. The incredible main aquarium symbolises the ‘global ocean’, and hosts about 100 species from four oceans. Surrounding the aquarium, four marine habitats create the illusion of one, single ocean.
The aquarium offers a wide range of sea creatures for visitors to get up and close with. These include Magellanic penguins, puffins, sea otters, sunfish, seadragons, octopuses, clownfish, eels, rays, several shark species and even many corals. The aquarium, which stretches over 40 metres in length, boasts also of over 80 species of fresh-water tropical fish and aquatic plants.
With over 8,000 marine creatures and three ongoing exhibitions, it is possible to have pre-booked guided tours. A number of events such as children’s concerts or sleeping with sharks and Fado for kids, are also organised here as is an excursion to go dolphin watching in the Tagus River.
Since it opened to visitors, the Oceanário de Lisboa has attracted well over 28 million visitors from all across the world. The officials say that visitors here establish an emotional connection with the marine life and hence contribute to inspiring behavioural changes as well as promoting positive personal relationships with the ocean.
They add that Oceanário de Lisboa’s educational programmes have engaged more than 1.6 million children, increasing the awareness and involvement of new generations towards issues of ocean conservation. The Oceanário is also a member of a large network of international aquariums that develop and finance research and conservation projects increasing knowledge about marine species and ecosystems.
Since 2018, Oceanário is a Centre for Species Survival, aiming to increase there presentatives of marine species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species to help visitors better understand the conservation needs of the marine environment.
