Certifications & Partnerships

SeaEO-Tours is connected with Mar2030, Portugal’s programme supporting the sustainable development of the sea economy.

Mar2030 is part of Portugal’s national strategy for the ocean and supports measures related to fisheries, aquaculture, coastal communities and the sustainable blue economy.

For SeaEO-Tours, this connection reflects a vision: the ocean is not only a place to visit, but a living system that must be understood, respected and protected.

Our work is part of this wider blue economy. By offering educational boat tours led by marine biologists, we help people discover the value of the Atlantic Ocean, the Tagus Estuary and the marine life that depends on these waters. See the project.

The ICNF, Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas, is Portugal’s national authority for nature conservation and biodiversity protection.

In Portugal, tourist operations for cetacean watching are regulated and require specific authorisation. The ICNF provides information, rules and guidance for responsible cetacean observation in Portuguese waters.

Cetaceans are the group of marine mammals that includes dolphins, whales and porpoises. They are sensitive animals whose behaviour can be affected by noise, sudden movements, repeated approaches or too many boats nearby.

At SeaEO-Tours, our team follows responsible observation practices designed to reduce disturbance and respect the natural behaviour of animals.

The Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised environmental awards for beaches, marinas and sustainable tourism boats. To qualify, strict criteria must be met in areas such as environmental education, safety, accessibility and environmental management.

For SeaEO-Tours, the Blue Flag spirit is closely aligned with how we see marine tourism: as an opportunity to educate, inspire and protect.

Our tours are not only about seeing dolphins, seabirds or coastal landscapes. They are also about helping guests understand why healthy marine ecosystems matter, from water quality and coastal habitats to plastic pollution, food webs and the critical balance between people and the sea.

In a city like Lisbon, where urban life meets the Tagus Estuary and the Atlantic Ocean, environmental education is essential. The more people understand the ocean, the more likely they are to protect it.

SeaEO-Tours is registered with Turismo de Portugal through the RNAAT, the Registo Nacional de Agentes de Animação Turística.

The RNAAT is part of Portugal’s National Tourism Register and brings together information about tourism entertainment companies and maritime-tourism operators working in Portugal.

For visitors, this matters because it certifies that SeaEO-Tours operates within the official tourism framework in Portugal, helping ensure the company is properly recognised, accountable and compliant with the legal requirements for tourism activity.

SeaEO-Tours is also connected with the Linha de Apoio à Qualificação da Oferta, a support line promoted by Turismo de Portugal for tourism companies investing in the improvement, adaptation, expansion and repositioning of their offer.

This type of support reflects an important idea: good tourism should keep improving.

This support allows us to invest in the quality of the on-board experience, from visitor safety and comfort to team training and the way we communicate science and conservation.

SeaEO-Tours is associated with Turismo de Natureza and NATURAL.PT, a national brand linked to the promotion of nature-based experiences, protected areas, natural values and sustainable services in Portugal.

Nature tourism is not just about being outdoors. It is about understanding the places we visit and recognising their ecological value.

The Lisbon region is a beautiful example of this. The Tagus Estuary is one of the most important wetland systems in Portugal, especially for birds.

SeaEO-Tours is connected with Turismo de Lisboa, the official tourism association and visitors bureau for the Lisbon region.

Turismo de Lisboa is a non-profit association involving public bodies, business associations and private members, contributing to the promotion of Lisbon as a destination.

For us, Lisbon is not only a cultural and historical destination. It is also a marine destination.

Through our boat tours, we aim to show visitors another side of the city, one where gulls, gannets, cormorants, shearwaters, dolphins and tidal currents tell stories just as rich as the streets and monuments on land.

SeaEO-Tours collaborates with the spirit of citizen science through GelAvista, a programme from IPMA, the Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera, focused on the monitoring of gelatinous marine organisms in Portugal.

GelAvista collects and processes data on gelatinous organisms, helping improve knowledge about their diversity, distribution, ecological role and seasonal dynamics. The programme also promotes public awareness about safety and the precautions to take when encountering these animals.

SeaEO-Tours recognises BPI as part of its network of institutional and financial support.

BPI supports our operation through the Linha de Apoio à Qualificação da Oferta, developed with Turismo de Portugal to support investment in the qualification of tourism services.

SeaEO-Tours has been recognised by the Travel and Hospitality Awards, an international awards platform celebrating excellence in travel, tourism and hospitality.

This recognition is a meaningful reflection of the care, passion and professionalism our team brings to every experience.