About Us

What we do in Sagres, Portugal

A PASSION FOR SEA

It was in Sagres that our team of marine biologists dreamed of exploring the ocean. In order to promote an active community in the conservation of the ocean, we offer boat tours for dolphin watching and birdwatching. Besides our projects in marine biology, we supervise academic thesis and internships, and deliver courses and talks. We also have some partnerships with several research institutions.

OUR SPACE

Ocean Lab is not only the name of our space but also projects our mission. Here is where our tours start, our ideas come up, and our projects get roots to grow. It’s our base. Where the team meets, and where we receive students. We also have a small informal collection of pieces that together make our museum a dream come true – all found at the beach, washed ashore, or brought from the ocean depths by our fisherman friend. Ocean creatures’ skeletons, shells, sea stars or even cuttlefish eggs are some of the things that you can find. Here you may also learn how we use every tour as an opportunity to survey and collect data on marine biodiversity inhabiting our waters.

We can´t live without it and we aim to keep it blue: our ocean, our planet.

TEAM

Sara Magalhães

a woman smiling for the camera

Is a marine biologist, co-founder and general manager of our company. She was a researcher at the University of Azores for 7 years where she colaborated on several scientific projects about whale watching in the region, marine protected areas and ecology of sperm whales and bottlenose dolphins. She has coordinating experience in scientific and touristic embark along with planning and execution of scientific and business projects. Besides performing lectures and workshops, Sara is also responsible for supervising the academic theses and professional internships in the company. Sara can explain you everything about our projects and about the biology and ecology of the species that inhabit our “Unlimited Sea” (meaning of “Mar Ilimitado” in Portuguese).

Ricardo Silva

Roland Dyens looking at the camera

Marine biologist and co-founder of Mar Ilimitado in 2005. He is responsible for the companies’ operationality. Allied to his long navigating experience is his underwater experience. He collaborated as a skipper with the University of the Azores integrating several scientific projects, especially whale & dolphin research, fish telemetry and scientific diving, but he also worked as a skipper at different whale watching companies there. Besides skipper, he is a diving instructor and a commercial diver. We all count on his experience and friendliness.

Inês Afonso

Master of Science in Applied Biology and with huge interest on biodiversity and its conservation, it’s the marine environment that draws most of Inês’ attention. On her journey she developed interest on scientific communication too.

After her involvement on sea turtles conservation projects in Cabo Verde, and developing her master thesis in one of the species and the challenges that they are facing in the current climate crisis, she saw in our project an opportunity to expand her knowledge and share it with others.

Luana Millecamps

Ocean lover and marine biologist. She did an international master’s in Marine Biological Resources with a specialization in Marine Megafauna Conservation. Throughout her academic journey, she participated in several conservation projects in Greece, South Africa, and more recently in Iceland, where she conducted her master thesis about bioacoustics and photo-ID of humpback whales. During her free time she enjoys taking pictures, painting and engaging in sea related activities.

Inês Mota

Inês is a dedicated professional with a master´s degree in applied biology. Her passion and admiration for the ocean have led her to explore both the research and practical aspects, where she finds fascination in both. Her journey includes enriching experiences, from a conservation internship with sea turtles in Cape Verde to research work as a field assistant in Angola.

Curious by nature, Inês seeks out new experiences that allow her to gain new knowledge. Joining the Mar Ilimitado team reflects her desire to expand her knowledge about cetaceans and to share her enthusiasm for the ocean and its biodiversity.

Her goal is to inspire others to value and protect this environment that belongs to all of us, recognizing what it provides us and the importance of its preservation for the future generations.

Paulo Correia

After a life in the city working in television, Paulo came south in search of a quieter life by the sea.

Before joining the team he was always connected to the sea, on a mussel aquaculture farm, a sardine trawler, and in tourist fishing, but his fascination with marine diversity brought him to Mar Ilimitado as a skipper.

In his spare time he dedicates himself to recreational fishing and handicrafts, where he enjoys making sculptures and working with wood.

He’s always willing to help. And if you need tips on Sagres, he’s the right person!