Looking for an unforgettable dolphin experience? Take a boat tour in Setúbal Bay, the Sado River Estuary, and Ria Formosa, as well as along some coastal areas in the Algarve and regions near the Tagus
Recently, I decided to visit Zoomarine, despite having some doubts about the ethics and responsibility of zoological parks in relation to the exploitation of animals for display and their breeding in captivity. However, I chose to give the park a chance, as it presents itself as a place that promotes environmental education and species conservation, areas I consider essential for the future of our planet.
Unfortunately, during my visit, I noticed a significant inconsistency between the park’s rhetoric and the practices observed. The most concerning issue was the lack of accessible water for visitors: there were no water fountains or refill stations, and the only option was to purchase bottled water, sold at outrageously inflated prices. The use of disposable plastic bottles is a significant environmental issue and is widely known. For a park like Zoomarine, which claims to educate about environmental preservation, it is at the very least inconsistent not to offer sustainable alternatives, such as water fountains or the possibility to refill reusable bottles. It is not enough to ask the audience, during the shows, to reduce plastic use, as I heard in the Seal and Sea Lion performance, when the park’s own practices contradict this message.
I understand that this is a simple issue to resolve, and I hope Zoomarine will take the necessary steps to implement alternatives. However, after my visit and reflecting on what I observed, I can conclude that the park does not prioritize the values it claims to uphold, but rather focuses on profit and enrichment. The lack of genuine commitment to sustainability and the inconsistency between the park’s messages and its actions caused significant discomfort and severely undermined my trust.
I believe there are many ways to protect animal life and our planet, and today I know that Zoomarine is not an example in this regard.
I recommend to anyone who may have doubts, as I did, to visit the park, but to do so in an informed and critically-minded way. To conclude, I would like to suggest a more ethical and animal-friendly alternative: dolphin watching tours in their natural habitat. There are several options available online with just a simple search. This type of experience offers a much more genuine interaction with wildlife, as well as a clear commitment to animal well-being and sustainability. I’ve done it myself, and I can assure you that the fun is equally guaranteed.