Sesimbra Snorkeling: Prof Luiz Saldanha Park Review

Okay so, have you ever wondered what it’s like to slip below the surface into a hidden wonderland? Well, I have and Prof Luiz Saldanha Marine Park in Sesimbra, Portugal could very well be that spot. What’s more, this isn’t just any old place for a dip; this coastal treasure is positively teeming with marine life, making it a spot you totally want to visit for snorkeling. This review gives you the rundown on what to expect when you jump in – from what sort of underwater buddies you might meet, all the way to insider tips to help make your underwater experience shine.

A Quick Look at Prof Luiz Saldanha Marine Park

You know, this marine park, a part of the bigger Arrábida Natural Park, sits just beside the town of Sesimbra and stretches along a chunk of the coast. That it covers something like 52 square kilometers makes it, you see, a pretty hefty protected area. The park got its start back in 1998, if you can believe it, all to give some much needed safe harbor for the local sea creatures. Think of it, so to speak, as a big underwater nature reserve. What is really great about this area is that, that being on the Atlantic coast it boasts a really rich variety of marine habitats. The mix of rocky reefs, underwater caves, and sandy bottoms makes this almost a perfect home for so many critters.

The park gets its title from Prof Luiz Saldanha, who was in fact a major player in marine biology research in Portugal. This man really poured his life into studying the oceans around here. This, basically, is like the town giving props to him by naming the area after him. And as for why snorkeling works out pretty great around here? That’s because, in part, of the unique location, helping create fairly clear and tranquil waters a whole bunch of the time, giving pretty ideal settings to scope out all that underwater beauty. And yes, as a popular spot just south of Lisbon, it gives a great little escape to nature without going too far.

Getting Ready for Your Snorkeling Adventure

Now then, getting set for snorkeling here might be more basic than you expect, however, you should think of few things. Basically, gear-wise, you certainly need a mask, snorkel, and fins. That some places around Sesimbra let you borrow these really makes it easier. Now it seems that if you’re planning to hang out in the water for a longer stretch, a wetsuit may become your very close buddy. The Atlantic can have pretty chilly waters, really even during the summer months. A light wetsuit, perhaps a 3mm one, very often is quite right.

Thinking about safety, sticking with a buddy is usually really clever, right? Furthermore, it gives some safety and really makes sharing the fun much better. Also, do you know what? Do consider tides and currents; the ocean is almost very strong and is actually not something you want to tangle with without meaning to. Check in on local conditions before you go, basically from guides or local dive shops, okay? Oh, it is almost vital to regard the marine park’s regulations – things such as not getting too close to the wildlife and generally watching out for the underwater ecosystem.

Top Snorkeling Spots within the Park

Do you know what, you will find numerous cool spots around this area that could be great. First up, there’s Ribeiro do Cavalo. Many feel it is one of the region’s most stunning spots, but yet the area needs a bit of effort to access since it is mostly only available through trails or boat. Once there, like your patience has totally paid off. This place has absolutely clear waters and some dramatic rocky setups right at the coast. That it stays reasonably sheltered often makes this place a crackerjack pick.

Right, Portinho da Arrábida could be on your list also and it comes with calm, crystal waters that do attract heaps of snorkelers of every level. The sea life here tends to be lush; many sorts of fish hang around these spots, so too starfish and even the very occasional octopus. And yet, because it’s easy to get to from the beach itself makes this spot a pretty great selection if you are very much just seeking to duck below the surface for an hour. Galapos and Galapinhos, being two more fantastic beach spots nearby are fairly known, so there is that too.

Marine Life: What You Might See

You get so many sea creatures making the place special, it seems. Now you’re going to find several different types of fish hanging around the rocky spots; for example, sea bass and bream, okay? Also look carefully around the ocean floor since it can be there where starfish and sea urchins chill, or, more excitingly, even crabs scuttling about.

It can often be so special to get an experience when moray eels come creeping around in the cracks and crevices of rocks if the time of year suits you, it’s almost something so unforgettable. Octopus, being absolutely masterful at camouflage, will be an exciting sight if you can discover where they might have decided to hide. Moreover, every so often, you might catch sight of bigger fish too – it’s very, very rare but sightings of the likes of John Dory are fairly well talked about by those whom do get to glimpse them. Basically, I am saying there will be lots to see.

Snorkeling Tours and Guided Options

It would appear that around Sesimbra you can get some good guided tours for snorkeling. A tour will quite possibly sort your gear for you, so, you do not have to cart all the kit. Tours usually cover the most suitable spots based on that days tides, and very important the level of visibility. You may often get extra useful knowledge regarding where better to check out marine life that other might totally glance over.

That tours usually make your day go a great deal more safely if you are just starting to get into it all has real value. Usually guides are so well-versed with local sea conditions and potential risks so they are able to ensure everyone in the group can basically just loosen up and enjoy the adventure with more of a sense of security. And yet if you think to have anyone that isn’t maybe so able-bodied along you will totally find a tour better suited, for example, if they are wanting to keep mostly close to shore or need to rest for stretches; generally these issues get addressed much better through a tour of some type.

Tips for a Responsible Snorkeling Trip

Taking the time for looking after such an awesome setting should very much be high up on everyone’s checklist. And yet avoid bothering wildlife being, really, probably number one. Give sea critters their place and most definitely prevent touching any of the ocean wildlife and sea life. Furthermore it will totally help keep all living in good stead if you will only step carefully on rocks.

What would be good is using just reef-friendly sunscreens – many mainstream sunblocks come with chems that could definitely pollute water as well as impact living stuff hanging around. That goes a good distance to securing those great places when so many folk use these waters for vacations etc will likely benefit for a prolonged spell if you, me, everybody just took a few actions. Above all, generally keep the water spotless; prevent tossing anything at all, and pick it up, when you come around any discarded garbage.

As it seems, visiting Prof Luiz Saldanha Marine Park for snorkeling hands you such awesome opportunities at peering into a brilliant aquatic life! You’ll likely enjoy it. To make all the trip successful you might bear these handful of points in your mind: always plan accordingly, regard sea creatures from a reasonable spacing to respect wildlife along with using only safe sun products as well as acting with extreme care for the preservation here too.

• Prime Snorkeling Spots: Do you know what? Ribeiro do Cavalo and Portinho da Arrábida for gorgeous waters.
• Marine Encounters: Could be the wide number of fish plus starfishes as well as potential octopuses
• Safety Very Vital: Buddy system in addition to tide keeping
• Sustainability: Respectful snorkeling by marine life secure plus reef-safe product selection for all

This has, almost, probably been valuable material in planning and organizing some wonderful future Sesimbra trips where that amazing marine park becomes where some excellent memories may be discovered beneath any calm waves there.

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