BE PART OF ONE-OF-A-KIND 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
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
2024: 21 to 28 July 28 July to 4 August 25 August to 1 September
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
- 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€*
* 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
Cancelation Policy
Cancellations up to 4 weeks before the start of the programme:
Fee of 30% of total cost will be deducted and the remainder will be refunded.
Cancellations less than 4 weeks before the programme starts: no refund.
TEAM
Ana Filipa Sobral
Manta Catalog Azores
Founder and Project Leader
Simão Santos
Marine Biologist and Dive Instructor
Tomás Santos
Operations Manager
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.
Meet Simão Santos, a dedicated marine biologist working at Oceanário de Lisboa for almost 8 years and since 2019 as Head of the Open Ocean Aquarium. With a BSc in Marine Biology, Simão is also a PADI Open Water Instructor, Scientific Diver (CCMAR), Fundamentals Diver (GUE), EFR Instructor, and holds a Yachtman’s License. Simão combines a passion for the ocean with a diverse skill set to contribute to marine exploration and conservation.
Tomás will be the Operations Manager, orchestrating seamless coordination among partners and meticulously handling all details to ensure exceptional service and experience for our participants. With a background in Biophysics Engineering, Tomás’ passion for the ocean has been a driving force throughout his career. His journey began at Parco Nazionale del Vesúvio in Naples, Italy, and led him to the Oceanario de Lisboa in 2009. As the Educational Outreach Projects Manager, Tomás traversed Portugal, impacting over 200,000 participants across 150 municipalities, delving into vital themes such as marine biodiversity, marine protected areas, and the Oceanario’s conservation initiatives.
TEAM
Ana Filipa Sobral
Manta Catalog Azores
Founder and Project Leader
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.
Simão Santos
Marine Biologist and Dive Instructor
Meet Simão Santos, a dedicated marine biologist working at Oceanário de Lisboa for almost 8 years and since 2019 as Head of the Open Ocean Aquarium. With a BSc in Marine Biology, Simão is also a PADI Open Water Instructor, Scientific Diver (CCMAR), Fundamentals Diver (GUE), EFR Instructor, and holds a Yachtman’s License. Simão combines a passion for the ocean with a diverse skill set to contribute to marine exploration and conservation.
Tomás Santos
Operations Manager
Tomás will be the Operations Manager, orchestrating seamless coordination among partners and meticulously handling all details to ensure exceptional service and experience for our participants. With a background in Biophysics Engineering, Tomás’ passion for the ocean has been a driving force throughout his career. His journey began at Parco Nazionale del Vesúvio in Naples, Italy, and led him to the Oceanario de Lisboa in 2009. As the Educational Outreach Projects Manager, Tomás traversed Portugal, impacting over 200,000 participants across 150 municipalities, delving into vital themes such as marine biodiversity, marine protected areas, and the Oceanario’s conservation initiatives.
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.
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.
