And sharing that passion is what we do.
Lisbon Dolphins was the first Dolphnin Watching company to operate out of Lisbon and became the preferred choice for people wanting to observe dolphins in their natural habitat.
Lead and backed by two distinguished Marine Biologists, Francisco Martinho and Andreia Pereira, Lisbon Dolphins has an average of 98% success rate in dolphins’ sights.
Lisbon Dolphins aims to be become the reference for EcoTourism in Portugal as their objective is to develop a sustainable and low impact business while contributing to Eco Education by providing a real scientific experience in a natural scenario.
Our guidelines are based on the following objectives:
- Study of the marine environment and megafauna communities off mainland Portuguese coast
- Run as a self-sufficient entity, funding our own research through ecotourism revenues
- Present to the public the natural wealth of Portugal’s central coast, while having the opportunity to educate and sensitize to the environment
- Promote the development of sustainable and efficient techniques for marine exploration
The main goal is to study the dolphin and whale population in central Portugal. At the moment we are dependent on tourism revenue to keep doing the surveys.
The philosophy of the company is to leave a low impact on the environment, starting on the chosen first vessel which was able to keep the environmental impacts quite low. And, despite having a throwback with the passing of the pandemic, having to downgrade the boat, we still are aiming to reduce your impacts in the environment. As in 2024 we invested in running the boat on biofuel, but encountered big problems in 2025. Nevertheless we still didn’t gave up.
Ultimately we aim to have a null impact on the environment, by becoming carbon neutral, we abdicated of the antifouling paints, by not contributing to marine noise, using sustainable products, and ensuring the recycling of all produced waste and even choosing a recyclable boat.
Francisco Martinho
He has a master’s in Conservation Biology, forged in the Science Faculty of the University of Lisbon. Since 2007 years he has worked in the Sea, meeting the Sea-folk, studying the dolphins and the mighty whales of the deep. He turned to tourism only in 2015 so he could keep living his calling: meeting the dolphins, where they truly are. He is the guide of your expeditions. He is your captain and guide in your journey.
Catarina Gomes
She has a bachelor's in Marine Biology & Biotechnology, forged in the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria. She sailed these seas since 2017, and gained dolphin-watching experience from 2019 onward. She's our main first-mate since 2024, she’s also your guest assistant, the eye behind the lens—recording and editing the journey’s best moments.
Andreia Pereira
She has a PhD in Marine Sciences, forged in the Science Faculty of the University of Lisbon. She is a research fellow at D. Luís Institute of the University of Lisbon, studying fin whales through their acoustics, the CORTADO and SUBMERSE Projects.
She is our back office assistant and student supervisor.
Temporary crew
Clarisse: Finishing her master's in Bio Statistics, first-mate and guest assistant, since 2023.
Gil: Bachelor's in Molecular Biology, first-mate and guest assistant, since 2023.
Joana: Master's in Marine Biology, first-mate and guest assistant, since 2023.
Tomás: Master's in Geo Physics, first-mate and guest assistant, since 2023.
Beatriz: Currently doing her thesis in marine biology, analysing data collected during the tours. Science Faculty of the University of Lisbon.
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