Zoomarine Ticket with Dolphin Interaction Experience Algarve

Zoomarine Algarve marine park

Zoomarine opened in 1991 in Guia, a few minutes' drive from Albufeira, and is one of the most popular family days out in the Algarve. The park combines marine animal presentations with aquariums, gardens, rides, swimming pools and a sandy beach area, so a day here mixes learning about the ocean with time to relax in the sun.

The park is also involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of marine animals found injured or stranded along the Portuguese coast, and many of its presentations focus on ocean conservation. If you are looking for things to do in Albufeira with kids, Zoomarine Algarve tickets are among the most requested, and this ticket adds the dolphin encounter to your day.

The dolphin encounter in the water

The encounter takes place in a large lagoon edged with fine sand and plants. It begins with a short talk about the bottlenose dolphin, its senses, social life and the threats it faces in the wild. Then, dressed for the water, you step into the shallows with a small group and meet the dolphins under the guidance of a trainer.

For about 15 minutes you share moments of contact and watch the dolphins perform natural behaviours close to you, while an educator answers your questions and makes sure the well-being of both people and animals comes first. Participants aged six and seven must be accompanied in the water by another participant aged 16 or over. Proof of age is required, so bring a passport or ID card.

Planning your visit: opening hours and timing

Zoomarine is a seasonal park, usually open from spring to autumn, with longer hours in summer; the exact Zoomarine opening hours and days change through the year. After booking, our team arranges the start time of your dolphin encounter with the park, so you can plan the rest of your day around it.

We recommend arriving early: entry is skip-the-line and parking is free, so you can head straight in, see a presentation or two, and be ready for your encounter. Allow a full day to enjoy the park. Accompanying spectators who do not enter the water need their own spectator ticket, which is not included in this option. Restaurants and snack points inside the park make it easy to stay the whole day.

Getting there: Guia and the Albufeira area

The park lies on the N125 road in Guia, a small town in the municipality of Albufeira known across Portugal for its piri-piri chicken. It is about ten minutes by car from central Albufeira and around 40 minutes from Faro Airport, making it easy to reach from most resorts in the central Algarve.

Many visitors combine a Zoomarine day with time on the beaches of Albufeira or Galé, or an evening in Albufeira's old town. If you are wondering how to get to Zoomarine without a car, taxis and local buses run from Albufeira; ask us when you book and we will suggest the best option. For drivers, free parking at the entrance makes arriving by car simple.