Things to do in the Algarve, Portugal:

Zoomarine

Are you planning your holiday around a visit to Zoomarine?  Let Algarve Retreats supply your accomodation too - just click on the links...........

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Zoomarine Park

Enjoy an entertaining day out at the fascinating Zoomarine Park.  Discover the mysteries of the sea through a range of exhibitions and shows featuring dolphins, seals, sharks and other exotic marine life. 

See the spectacular Dolphin show, Peter Pan in "Never Never Land" performed with Seals and Sea Lions and experience the colour of the magical bird shows and visit the aquarium. 

 Relax in the tranquil gardens or enjoy the different amusement rides in the park such as the big wheel, the pirate ship and the mini roller coaster.  There are swimming pools for both adults and children and a variety of shops and restaurants, all of which make Zoomarine an excellent day out for all the family.

Last but not least, there is also an unique opportunity to feel and share the world of the dolphin through the Dolphin Interaction programme which is described more fully below.

Current prices for entry to the Zoomarine Park and Dolphin Interaction

From 1.11.2008 to 29.3.2009 opening times are 10.00 - 17.00 hours, there is a reduction in prices during this period

Closed Mondays, 24th & 25th December & 1st January 2009

The swimming pools, Rapid River, Harakiri and Flume Ride will be closed during this time      

Transport zone 2: Lagos (Tuesdays)

Transport zone 3: Tavira/Mt Gordo

Booking Zoomarine: 

Click here to get a price for your Zoomarine experience

 If you wish to book, we take your payment in £sterling and need to take the full price to make the booking.  Your tickets are sent direct to your home address - please remember to take them with to the Algarve when you travel.

Numbers are restricted for the Dolphin interaction sessions and early booking is advised if you wish to take part in this programme.  For the total cost of the Dolphin Interaction programme, add the appropriate cost for park entry to €145 per person. 

Dolphin Interaction Programme details:

Here you get the chance to meet the Dolphins at close quarters,  learn more about these wonderful creatures.  Participants are able to enter the water under expert supervision  and get to know the Dolphins while taking part in sequences of aquatic behaviour - an unforgettable experience.  In the special and restricted environment of the Lagoa Azul, guests spend time with bottlenose dolphins and also learn about the many environmental problems facing dolphins throughout the world. 

The dolphin interaction session lasts approx 1.5 hours. For the first 40 minutes or so there is a talk on dolphins and the environment (spectators wait outside). The Interaction participants then get changed into wetsuits and spend approximately 30 minutes in the water with the dolphins and trainers, doing a series or coordinated tasks. This is undertaken as a group session with a maximum of 12 people in the group.

Requirements:  

In order to take part in this programme you must:

be a minimum of 8 years old (this is strictly applied and passports are checked)

not be pregnant

know how to swim

be in good physical shape

have no limitations of a physical or psychological nature that could limit your ability to understand any instructions and/or perform the aquatic activities

Participants must be at the interaction point an hour before the session time to register and be given the rules for the interaction session: all objects must be removed including glasses.

The use of the wetsuit or vest provided by Zoomarine is compulsory; personal swimwear must be worn underneath. All instructions given by the Zoomarine professionals must be strictly followed and the dolphins treated with respect to avoid any attitude or behaviour that could harm or excite them. The participants need to stay calm at all times.

Participants are allowed to take two spectators free of charge into the interaction area.  A spectator may be accompanied by 2 children under the age of eight.  Additional spectators over the age of 8 must purchase a spectator ticket for an additional € 8.00.

Can Algarve Retreats help you find the right accomodation

within easy reach of Zoomarine?

Our closest accomodation is at the Olympus Vilamoura Suite Hotel, only a few kms away from zoomarine - this suite hotel offers a choice of 1& 2 bedroom apartments.  A little farther away at Armacao de Pera, take a look at the Viking Resort comprising the  4* Viking Hotel and the 4* Porches Praia Suite Hotel offering 1 and 2 bedroom apartments.  A little further west, at Carvoeiro, there is the 4* Pestana Palm Gardens Resort which offers 2 bedroom townhouses.

We also have a good selection of villas and apartments in the Lagos area which is only about 25 miles (40 minutes drive) from Zoomarine.  Lagos is an historic working Portuguese town with a beautiful marina and several wonderful beaches.  The town is full of interesting streets and it has a wealth of good places to eat and drink.  Take a look at the following properties - just click on the links to see photos and descriptions of some of the places we can recommend -  The Marina Club, Vilabranca, Vila Mos, Clube Porto Mos, Jardim da Meia Praia and Quinta de Sao Roque

for a fantastic opportunity to these wonderful creatures in their natural habitat

book your Dolphin Seafari trip with Algarve Retreats

Would you like more suggestions?  Take a look at our Things to do in the Algarve and Places to go in the Algarve sections for loads of ideas of what to do and where to go

Choose Algarve Retreats for your Algarve holiday accommodation

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For further information, please ring 01283 821072 or

email enquiries@algarve-retreats.com