Dolphins
We took a trip to see the Dolphins in the Sado Estuary by taking a trip out across the bay at Setubal a couple of years ago. When I went looking for the web site today, I first found the TAP (Air Portugal) web site on the subject which offers a discount on these trips to see the Dolphins.
The TAP web site above allowed me to click through to Vertigem Azul which is the company we used for our trip out into the Bay.
A more local Dolphin trip at Nazare this summer might also be of interest.
News reports have suggested that from 11th July to 29th August boat trips are being organised every Wednesday at 3 pm from the tourist office in Nazare. As the 11th July is a Tueday I was confused by these reports and decided to go to the source.
A look at the Nazare Council web site shows that these visits only show in their agenda as starting on the 20th July which is a Thursday. Even more confusing!
So it seems I'll be ringing the tourist office in Nazare to find out when and if these trips are taking place. Apparently they are "weather permitting" which makes matters worse. More info later, perhaps after we've been to see the Nazare dolphins ourselves.
I found the web site for the dolphins at Sado/Setubal tricky to navigate, so you may find these links helpful.
Vertigem's TAP 15% discount offer.
The site is dated, and the description of the visits are in an article Programs (2004) You may be best to check with them by phone using the numbers on the front page of their web site or emailing them at the address they give there.
Comments
An update to my post. Maybe somebody else who edits web sites is reading the blog, as the Nazare local council site has now changed their listing for "Passeio aos Golfinhos" to Wednesday the 19th.
I looked on the 'net for the phone number for Nazare tourism, and found this useful URL
http://www.rt-leiriafatima.pt/pagsavulso.php?idreg=6
This has phone numbers for many tourist offices in the greater Leiria area. (This might be a useful list to post to the blog separately?)
Anyway, a phone call to Nazare tourism then revealed that the "Dolphin Trips" are indeed every Wednesday at 3pm. (Pity as we had hoped to go yesterday - on a Tuesday!)
You cannot book by phone or email as you must book at the library on the beach (Biblioteca na Praia) and they don't have a phone or email on the beach. (Not even a mobile phone? Doesn't sound likely! Sounds to me like a way to give priority for folk staying locally?)
If you book for a day when the weather turns out to be inclement, then you are automatically placed on the list for the next trip. So if the weather looks good you might head to Nazare early in the day on a Wednesaday, sign on at the library on the beach, and then if the boat doesn't go at 3pm at least you will be on the list for the next Wednesday.
If you prefer to book a Dolphin trip by phone or email, it might be better to contact the Setubal folk at
http://www.vertigemazul.com/
Posted by: david | July 12, 2006 2:14 AM