Observação de Cavalos-Marinhos

The tour was amazing. It was basic and calm. - they take you to the seahorse location with a boat (right off the shore of Culatra Island) - they give you with basic info about seahorses - they provide you with snorkeling equipment (next time I would definitely take a wetsuit as the water was COLD) - they find seahorses that you can observe - after a while they take you back Everyone in our group saw at least a few seahorses. I was really happy and will go again when I visit Algarve again.

The tour was amazing. It was basic and calm. - they take you to the seahorse location with a boat (right off the shore of Culatra Island) - they give you with basic info about seahorses - they provide you with snorkeling equipment (next time I would definitely take a wetsuit as the water was COLD) - they find seahorses that you can observe - after a while they take you back Everyone in our group saw at least a few seahorses. I was really happy and will go again when I visit Algarve again.

We had this tour today and I have to say: Absolutely fantastic. My daughter (8 years old) and me saw about five or six seahorses, which is more than I expected before. The snorkeling place was beautiful and clean and a perfect spot especially for snorkeling beginners and kids. The tour guide was obviously very engaged to find the cute animals and show them to us. He especially helped my daughter, held her under water, so that she could take pictures of the seahorses. After the tour, my daughter told me that this one of her best moments in life. I think, she will remember this day even in 30 or 40 years. Thank you! :)

Very expensive for what we actually got to do. Not very informative and barely saw anything. Would not recommend.

Lovely snorkelling morning in the Ria Formosa to see the Sea Horses (which we did!) guided by Miguel who was very friendly and informative. Safe for younger children (ours was 6) assuming they can float about in a pool with a snorkel - water is calm, protected and only a couple of meters deep.

We did the seahorse snorkelling. The two men who took us out, João and Eric, were lovely. They made us laugh, were easy going, and showed us a good time. We saw a couple of seahorses, two octopi, and plenty of sea cucumbers. For me the best part was just to be out on a boat again, enjoying the water. The only downsides were: the ladder at the back of the boat didn't extend easily, causing my to bang my knee and rip a piece of flesh off it when I tried to get back in. Also my friend's snorkel mask was oddly shaped and really hurt her nose.. we swapped and she was fine with mine and I went back to the boat and relaxed as I was done anyway. I'd definitely recommend this tour though, it was a lovely couple of hours, and there was only one other person on our tour, making us three people. Perfect.

When one of our friends suggested this excursion I was really skeptical - especially since it was really downplayed as you may see something or not. Location: There is a small booth at the main harbour area which is where you register, pay and the boat launches. All tours and the ferry depart from this area so it will be obvious when you see it. Prepare for some traffic chaos to find a parking spot. You may have to look around or park farther away and walk in. Preparation: Contrary to what you may think from North American standards, you don't have to come insanely early to book in, or get fitted for equipment or anything like that. After you pay, you have to loiter around until it is your launch time. What is important? Cash only. What is also important? Better to already be changed in your bathing suit because they don't have change facilities. Equipment? They supply the mask and snorkel, but contrary to what some might think, it is not cleaned. Yeah they have an equipment shack and if you want to clean it - spit in it. Yeah do that along with everyone before and after you. And you get to cram on board with lots of other people doing things like involuntarily spraying you with their sunscreen. The Experience: There is a really slim chance that there are actually sea horses principally due to the fact that, if they really exist, they are not in a marine protected area. Your tour goes to a harbour with 40 other boats - all dropping anchors on the marine life. Our group said that they saw dead dish and murky conditions. You are accompanied by a marine biologist but that is where the good ends. Overall: You could do this tour, or you could just light your 40 euros (per person) on fire. If this activity helps save marine life I am all for it, but it seems to be sketchy at best. Not good value. If you go, don't actually expect to see anything at all.

My guide, Antonio, was very knowledgable and took great care of all of us on the trip, ensuring that we all got to see these beautiful animals in their natural habitat. Highly recommended.

Our guide Antonio was very knowledgeable and gave us a very good talk on Seahorses and the ecosystem. The way he worked, once he had found one, anchoring a small buoy next to it and then calling pairs over from the boat, enabled us all to see some. He also took photos using our camera. Hopefully taking this trip might contribute in a small way to efforts to conserve the seahorses. If you are an experienced snorkeler I would take some weights to make duck diving easier and bear in mind this trip only runs at low tide.

My kids loved this trip, my husband and I not so much. The reason for a 3 rating as I felt it was an expensive boat trip. The trip leaves from Fuzeta and parking is an absolute nightmare so leave plently of time. Our trip was a good 25 minutes late leaving as 2 of the party had gone to the meeting point. Essentially are taken on the Ria Formosa out where you put down anchor. The skipper tells you all about the seahorses and then you are each given a mask and snorkle. I have never snorkled before and found the thought of going under the water a little scary. The skipper goes in first to locate the seahorses and kind of waves and you've to go down with him to see the seahorses. I couldn't do this as I had no idea what to do and you are not given any instruction, it's assumed you know how to snorkle. That aside, my kids are great swimmers and all managed to see 2 or 3 seahorses. A nice trip but I think there are better available for the money.