About Us

What we do in Sagres, Portugal

OUR PROJECT

We are a team of marine biologists who consider ocean conservation a priority, and who merge tourism and marine research. Our tourist trips are designed to collect scientific data mainly on cetacean species (whales, dolphins and porpoises), but also on other marine fauna (turtles, large pelagic fish and seabirds). This wealth of information, collected over the long term (more than 20 years!), is available for scientific analysis by our staff, partners, students and volunteers, who in turn produce information for dissemination to the general community, the scientific community and the relevant conservation bodies. We develop our own scientific projects and actively participate in scientific projects with other partners.

With our dolphin and seabird watching trips and coastal tours we aim to raise awareness of environmental issues, monitor cetacean populations and at the same time promote responsible tourism.We believe that our project is important because it has enabled us to monitor the species that occur here and contribute to their management and conservation.

…. by joining us, as well as enjoying contact with nature in its wild state, you will also be contributing to the development of our research activities.

Find out more here.

MANIFEST FOR THE SEA

We believe that the sea is fundamental to our planet and to human beings in too many ways. We cannot live without the sea.
Our project is based on the premise that marine tourism should not only be to enjoy the sea, but should also give back by contributing to the preservation of nature and the oceans.
Our contribution has fundamentally been reflected in the advancement of the knowledge we have about the marine species that exist in the region, which is passed on:

on a daily basis, to those who visit us, in the form of sharing what we know;
through our passion and respect for the sea;
aesthetically, through the images we capture;
scientifically, with our peers, with whom we share, analyse and research;
with our students, whom we teach but also learn from;
in any way we can, since we intend to raise everyone’s awareness of the importance of the sea.

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.

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.

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!

STUDENTS

Connor Carruthers

“I am Connor and for the past 2 years I have been working on a documentary called “The Planet We Call Home”. I reached out to Mar Ilimitado in summer 2024 to see if they would allow me to film dolphins for episode 6: “Chaparral Homes” (the mediterranean biome).

For one week I went out every day collecting footage of common and bottlenose dolphins. I managed to get some amazing shots of the dolphins feeding, surfing and jumping. In “The Planet We Call Home” we will travel through time and across the globe, so you can truly understand nature. We will travel to colossal black holes, meet the ferocious Ceratosaurus, witness deer rutting, see majestic oak trees and submerge with agile dolphins.”

Maria Calado

“My name is Maria, I’m a student in the Marine Biology and Global Change master and I’m doing my internship in Mar Ilimitado, where I’ll be staying for the next year.
I chose Mar Ilimitado because it allows me to apply knowledge in a more practical way as well as being inserted in a professional setting, but also because it is a company that has a strong research component.
During my internship I’m carrying out multiple roles in the company: office work, communicating directly with costumers or doing space and equipment maintenance, but also scientific work, such as developing materials and activities related to scientific communication and environmental education.”

Graham Patterson

“During the spring of 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to complete my master’s in marine science internship with Mar Ilimitado’s Ocean Lab in Sagres, Portugal. The focus of my internship was on developing an AI-driven platform with the hopes of revolutionizing cetacean photo identification, enhancing both the efficiency and accuracy of identifying individual whales and dolphins.

Identifying and keeping detailed records of individual whales and dolphins is crucial for tracking their movements, monitoring populations, studying behaviors, assessing health, informing conservation efforts, and conducting long-term research.”

Johanne Wauters

“I am a master’s student in marine biology, and I had the opportunity to complete a two-month internship at Mar Ilimitado during the spring of 2024. This placement was useful in enhancing my understanding of how a dolphin-watching company that also conducts scientific research operates.

Throughout my internship, I gained insight into the fundamental principles that support the Mar Ilimitado project. My primary responsibility involved maintaining a photo-identification catalogue for Risso’s dolphins. The company employs photo-identification as a core method for its scientific research, based on the idea that each cetacean’s dorsal fin is unique. The unique scars and marks present on each dorsal fin allowed me to identify the Risso’s dolphins observed throughout 2023.”

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BOATS

We work with 2 types of boats: RIB’s and a motor yacht.

The RIB’s are fast boats, safe and modern, perfect if you are looking for the thrill of an oceanic adventure while searching for dolphins and other marine life, or to enjoy the beautiful landscapes from our coast. The yacht is the perfect option if you are looking for a customized tour, and if you have a preference for a more spacious, comfortable and exclusive tour. Check our “Private tours” for more details.

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