Eco – Try Dive

Sesimbra’s eco scuba experience gives you more than a first look below the surface. You learn the basics, enter the water with close instructor support, and help remove rubbish from the seabed in the Arrábida region and Luíz Saldanha Marine Reserve.

I like the strong safety ratio, with one instructor assigned to every two people in the water. I also like the practical purpose: you are not simply looking at marine life, you are taking part in a cleanup and qualifying for a Mission Deep Blue certificate.

The main consideration is the price, $103.18 per person, which is fair for a four-hour introduction with equipment but does not include lunch. Weather can also affect the schedule, so keep your plans flexible.

Key points to know before you book

• One instructor for every two people in the water: This is unusually reassuring for a first underwater experience, especially for younger participants or anyone feeling nervous.
• A cleanup with a certificate: The eco element gives the session a clear purpose, and you receive a Mission Deep Blue certificate afterward.
• Sesimbra’s protected setting: The activity takes place near the Arrábida region and Luíz Saldanha Marine Reserve, an area noted for more than 1,500 species.
• A four-hour beginner program: You get time for instruction, equipment preparation, the water session, and the return to the center without signing up for a full certification course.
• Small maximum group: The overall limit is 15 people, though the important number is the close instructor ratio in the water.
• Afternoon start: Meet at Anthia Diving Center at Porto de Abrigo at 2:30 pm, with the activity ending back at the same point.

Why this first underwater session is different

A standard introductory scuba session is mainly about learning how to breathe, move, and stay calm underwater. This one adds an environmental task. You are introduced to the equipment and basic underwater skills, then help clean the seabed as part of the eco program.

That changes the feel of the experience. You are not simply being taken down for a quick look. You have a small job to do, and that can make the session feel more meaningful, especially if you care about marine conservation.

The setting matters, too. Sesimbra sits in the Setubal District, close to the Arrábida region and Luíz Saldanha Marine Reserve. The area is described as home to more than 1,500 different species, so the appeal is not just the act of using scuba equipment. You may also see why this protected stretch of coast deserves careful treatment.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. This is an introduction, not a full qualification. You are getting a controlled first experience, not the skills or certification needed to plan independent underwater outings.

What happens from the 2:30 pm meeting time

You meet at Anthia Diving Center, at Porto de Abrigo, Loja 1, 2970-152 Sesimbra. The activity lasts about four hours and ends back at the same meeting point, which makes it easy to plan around other parts of an afternoon in town.

The exact sequence of the session is not set out in detail, but the program includes an introduction, preparation with scuba equipment, safety instruction, and time in confined or open water. Plan to spend a good part of the visit listening and getting comfortable before entering the sea. That is a positive feature, not wasted time.

For a first attempt, rushing is the enemy. You need time to understand the equipment, listen to instructions, and ask questions. The center’s focus on continued instructor training also suggests that the teaching element is treated as seriously as the recreational part.

You should arrive ready for a physical activity and allow room in your schedule after the session. The four-hour estimate is long enough that you should not book a tight connection or a dinner reservation immediately afterward.

The safety setup for complete beginners

The clearest practical strength is the instructor ratio. Anthia places one instructor with every two people in the water. For a beginner, that level of attention can make a major difference. If you need help with equipment, breathing, movement, or simply getting comfortable, you are not one person in a large group trying to catch an instructor’s eye.

The center also describes continuous training for its instructors and scuba professionals. You are not expected to arrive with prior experience. The program is designed as an introduction for people who want to try scuba without committing to a longer certification course.

That makes the experience suitable for someone who is curious but unsure. You can test how you feel underwater before paying for a more extensive course. It is also useful for families, provided each participant meets the activity’s requirements and can manage a moderate level of physical activity.

The available feedback points repeatedly to a professional and reassuring approach. One first-time participant felt safe throughout. Another account describes two children, ages 12 and 15, receiving a thorough briefing and a good balance of safety and fun. A separate account describes a 12-year-old enjoying the session even with a language barrier, thanks to attentive staff.

Those details are useful, but they do not create a formal minimum age rule. If you are booking for a child, contact the center before paying to confirm suitability and any current age conditions.

The eco task and Mission Deep Blue certificate

The environmental part is the heart of this program. You help clean the bottom of the sea, then receive a Mission Deep Blue certificate at the end. That certificate does not replace a scuba qualification, but it gives you a record of taking part in a conservation-focused activity.

I like this approach because it links the pleasure of seeing marine life with responsibility for the place itself. Even a short cleanup can remind you that the seabed is a living habitat, not just scenery for visitors.

The activity is based near the Luíz Saldanha Marine Reserve, where careful behavior matters. The reserve’s large number of recorded species gives the conservation message real context. You are entering an area protected for its marine life, so following the instructors closely is important.

The listing does not say exactly what kind of debris you will collect, how much time is set aside for the cleanup, or how the certificate is presented. Do not book expecting a major scientific project. Think of it as a beginner-friendly conservation task built into your first scuba experience.

What you may see below the surface

The area is associated with clear water and abundant sea life, according to the information provided about the center. The protected setting near Arrábida and the Luíz Saldanha Marine Reserve adds to the chance of seeing a variety of species.

Water clarity and sightings can change with weather and conditions. No precise species list, underwater route, depth, or guaranteed viewing time is provided, so I would avoid treating the 1,500-species figure as a promise that you will see a particular animal.

The reward here is the combination of scenery and purpose. You get a chance to observe the underwater environment while learning how to behave in it. For a first session, simply becoming comfortable with breathing and moving underwater may be the main achievement.

If marine life is your top priority, ask the center what conditions are expected on your date. The program depends on suitable weather, and the nature of an introductory session means the instructor’s safety decisions will guide where and how long you go.

Equipment, fitness, and what to bring

Use of scuba equipment is included in the price. That is important because bringing or renting the main gear separately could add cost and make a first attempt more complicated.

You should still expect to manage a moderate level of physical activity. The activity information specifically asks participants to have moderate fitness. You will need to listen carefully, handle the demands of wearing scuba equipment, and take part in a water-based session.

Lunch is not included. Since the meeting time is 2:30 pm and the activity lasts about four hours, eat beforehand or plan food for afterward. Do not assume there will be a meal at the center.

The information does not specify a clothing list, towel policy, changing facilities, water temperature, or personal equipment requirements. Ask Anthia for the current practical details before you go. That is especially wise if you have medical concerns, limited swimming confidence, or need language support.

Service animals are allowed, and the center is near public transportation. Those details help with access, but they do not explain how a service animal can be accommodated during the water portion. Contact the provider directly if that affects your plans.

Is $103.18 a fair price?

At $103.18 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an afternoon in Sesimbra. But the price includes scuba equipment, instruction, a small in-water instructor ratio, the eco activity, and a certificate. For someone testing scuba for the first time, that package has reasonable value.

The key question is what you want from the session. If you simply want a quick swim with a mask, this will cost more than necessary. If you want structured instruction, close supervision, and a chance to try scuba without signing up for a full certification course, the price is easier to justify.

The four-hour length also matters. This is not a rushed 30-minute introduction. You are paying for preparation, safety guidance, equipment use, and time in the water, though the exact amount of time underwater is not stated.

Lunch is extra, and transport to Sesimbra is not listed as included. Add those costs when comparing the experience with other activities. The small maximum group of 15 is useful, but the one-to-two instructor ratio in the water is the stronger value point.

Who will enjoy this most

This program is best for first-timers who want a careful introduction rather than a qualification. You do not need to commit to a longer course, and the cleanup gives the experience a clear conservation angle.

It should also suit families with older children, based on the examples of participants aged 12 and 15. However, those examples are not a stated age policy. Confirm the rules for your child before booking.

You will likely enjoy it if you value attentive instruction, clear safety procedures, and a calm introduction to scuba. The available feedback consistently highlights friendly staff, competent instruction, good equipment, and a strong sense of care.

It may not suit you if you dislike physical activity, want a guaranteed list of marine sightings, or need a fully flexible schedule. Weather can cancel the session, and the center may offer another date or a full refund instead.

Practical booking advice for Sesimbra

The program is booked, on average, 12 days ahead. That is a useful clue if your dates are fixed, especially during a busy season. I would reserve early, then keep the rest of the afternoon reasonably open.

You receive confirmation at booking. The activity begins at 2:30 pm at Porto de Abrigo, Loja 1, in Sesimbra, and returns to that point. Since the center is near public transportation, you may not need a car, though no transfer service is included.

The cancellation terms are straightforward. Cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. If bad weather forces the center to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

That weather rule is worth taking seriously. A coastal water activity cannot run normally in poor conditions, and a replacement date may be more useful than trying to force the original plan.

Should you book the Eco Try Scuba experience?

Book it if you want a well-supervised first session, care about the marine environment, and like the idea of helping with a seabed cleanup. The instructor ratio, included equipment, protected setting, and Mission Deep Blue certificate give the experience more substance than a basic first lesson.

I would be more cautious if $103.18 is beyond your budget, if you need a guaranteed underwater route, or if you want a full scuba qualification. This program is a beginning, not a replacement for certification.

For families, contact the center about age requirements and practical arrangements before booking. For everyone else, reserve ahead, eat before the 2:30 pm start, allow the full four hours, and keep your plans weather-flexible. If those conditions suit you, this is a thoughtful way to meet Sesimbra’s underwater world while doing a small, useful job for it.

FAQ

Where does the Eco Try Scuba activity start?

It starts at Anthia Diving Center, Porto de Abrigo, Loja 1, 2970-152 Sesimbra, Portugal.

What time does the activity begin?

The scheduled start time is 2:30 pm.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the activity finish?

It finishes back at the meeting point at Anthia Diving Center.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. Use of scuba equipment is included in the price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

Do I need previous scuba certification?

No. This is an introductory Try Scuba program for people who want to experience the underwater world without committing to a longer certification course.

How many people can join the activity?

The maximum group size is 15 participants.

What is the instructor ratio in the water?

The center places one instructor for every two people in the water.

What happens if bad weather cancels the experience?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the activity to be canceled.