Eco – Try Dive

Sesimbra gives beginners a friendly way into the underwater world, with Anthia Diving Center placing one instructor with every two people in the water. The eco-scuba format adds a useful purpose: you may help remove litter from the seabed and qualify for a Mission Deep Blue certificate.

I like the small instructor ratio, especially if you feel nervous about breathing through a regulator. I also like the setting, the Luiz Saldanha Marine Reserve, where more than 1,500 species have been recorded. The main drawback is that this is an introductory session, not a full certification course, and lunch is not included.

• One instructor for every two people in the water, a strong safety feature for first-timers.
• Seabed cleanup option gives the session an environmental purpose beyond sightseeing.
• Mission Deep Blue certificate recognizes your participation in the eco program.
• About four hours from start to finish, with equipment supplied by Anthia Diving Center.
• Sesimbra setting places you near the Arrábida region and Luiz Saldanha Marine Reserve.
• Small overall group, capped at 15 people, though your in-water pair remains the more important number.

Why Sesimbra Works for a First Underwater Experience

Sesimbra is a practical base for trying scuba without signing up for a long course. The activity takes place at Anthia Diving Center in Porto de Abrigo, the local harbor area, so you begin and finish in the same place rather than dealing with a complicated meeting point.

The wider Arrábida region and Luiz Saldanha Marine Reserve are the real draw. The reserve is known for an impressive range of marine life, with more than 1,500 recorded species. That does not mean you are guaranteed to see a particular animal on your session, but it gives the experience a stronger natural setting than a basic pool lesson.

The eco angle also changes the tone of the outing. Instead of simply looking around underwater, you may help collect waste from the seabed. This is a modest action, but it gives your first session a clear purpose. You are learning how to move safely underwater while doing something useful for the place you have come to see.

What Happens During the Four-Hour Session

The program lasts about four hours and begins at 2:30 pm. The exact order can depend on conditions and the group, but the experience is built around an introduction to scuba, time in the water, and the environmental activity.

You first meet the Anthia team at Porto de Abrigo, Loja 1, 2970-152 Sesimbra. The center supplies the scuba equipment, so you do not need to arrange your own tanks, mask, or other core gear. Lunch is not included, so eat before the afternoon start or plan to find food afterward.

A safety and equipment briefing is an important part of the day. You need to understand how the equipment works, how to communicate underwater, and how to respond if you feel uncomfortable. The center places one instructor with every two people in the water, which should give you close supervision rather than a distant group lesson.

The underwater portion is designed for beginners. It can take place in confined water or open water, so the exact setting depends on the session and conditions. You do not need to commit to a larger certification program. This is a first taste, not a shortcut to independent scuba.

The eco activity may involve helping clean the seabed. The practical value is twofold: you get a simple task that helps you focus while underwater, and you take part in conservation in a direct way. It also gives the session a more memorable shape than simply practicing skills and returning to shore.

At the end, you return to the center and receive the Mission Deep Blue certificate if you qualify through the eco program. The activity finishes back at the meeting point, which makes the logistics easy for a half-day outing.

The Instructor Ratio Matters More Than the Group Size

The advertised maximum is 15 people, but the more useful figure is one instructor for every two people in the water. A group of 15 can still feel busy on land, yet that close in-water ratio limits the number of beginners each instructor must watch at once.

This is especially helpful if you have never used a regulator or are unsure how you will react underwater. You can ask for help without trying to attract an instructor from across a large group. The arrangement also suits families, as long as each participant meets the center’s requirements and can manage the physical demands.

The staff’s approach appears to balance structure with a relaxed mood. Children aged 12 and 15 have taken the introductory session, and a 12-year-old participant managed well despite not speaking the same language as the staff. That does not establish a universal minimum age, so families should confirm age rules before booking.

You should still expect to follow instructions carefully. The close ratio is not a substitute for paying attention during the briefing. Scuba requires calm breathing, basic coordination, and enough fitness to handle the equipment and water time.

Safety Comes Before the Eco Mission

The conservation work is appealing, but safety has to come first. Anthia Diving Center emphasizes continuing training for its instructors and scuba professionals. The one-to-two ratio adds another layer of personal attention during the water session.

For a first attempt, the biggest benefit is confidence. You can learn at a measured pace, ask questions, and signal if something does not feel right. The center’s role is not simply to get you underwater quickly. It is to help you feel comfortable enough to use the equipment properly.

You should be honest about your fitness level. The activity asks for moderate physical fitness, and the equipment itself can feel demanding to someone unused to carrying or wearing it. If you have any concern about your ability to take part, ask the operator before booking rather than relying on the short description alone.

Weather matters as well. The session requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. That policy is reassuring, but it also means you should keep some flexibility in your schedule if the forecast looks uncertain.

What You May See in the Luiz Saldanha Marine Reserve

The reserve’s recorded variety of more than 1,500 species gives the setting genuine interest for beginners and experienced nature lovers alike. Clear water and abundant sea life have been part of the appeal for people taking this session.

Still, underwater nature does not perform on demand. Visibility, weather, the specific site, and the time of day can all affect what you see. You should book this for the chance to enter a protected marine environment, not for a guaranteed encounter with a named species.

The reserve setting also helps explain why the eco task matters. Removing litter from the seabed is not as dramatic as spotting unusual wildlife, but it supports the health and appearance of the same environment you are there to enjoy. The certificate gives you a simple record of that contribution.

If you are mainly interested in photography or long underwater exploration, this introductory program may feel limited. The purpose is to learn basic skills safely and try the experience, not to provide an advanced marine excursion.

Equipment, Comfort, and Practical Planning

Scuba equipment is included in the price. That is important for a first session because buying or renting pieces separately would add hassle and could leave you unsure whether you have the right setup.

You should arrive ready for a physically active afternoon. Wear practical clothing suitable for changing and water activity, though the provided information does not specify exactly what personal items the center supplies or recommends. Ask Anthia for its current packing advice before you go.

The center is near public transportation, so you may be able to reach it without a car. The activity starts and ends at Anthia Diving Center, Porto de Abrigo, Loja 1, in Sesimbra. A mobile ticket is accepted, and booking confirmation is provided at the time of reservation.

Service animals are allowed. The overall group can have up to 15 people, and the same meeting point is used at the end. Those details make this easier to fit into a day in Sesimbra, although the four-hour duration means you should not schedule another fixed activity too tightly afterward.

Is $103.18 a Fair Price?

At $103.18 per person, the price is reasonable if you want a guided first experience and do not own equipment. You are paying for roughly four hours, the use of scuba gear, instructor supervision, and the eco-focused format in a protected marine area.

The one-to-two instructor ratio gives the price its strongest value. A cheaper session with a larger in-water group might save money but provide less personal attention, which matters when you are learning unfamiliar equipment.

The certificate and cleanup element also add meaning, though they should not be treated as expensive extras. The main value remains the instruction, supervision, and chance to try scuba without enrolling in a longer certification course.

Lunch is not included. That is easy enough to manage, but remember the 2:30 pm start and plan food around it. If you need transport, meals, or extra time in Sesimbra, include those costs when comparing the price with other activities.

Who Will Enjoy This Most

This experience suits you if you are curious about scuba but do not want to make a major commitment. It is also a good fit for couples, families with suitable older children, and first-timers who want close instruction.

The eco element will appeal to anyone who prefers an activity with a conservation purpose. You are not merely watching the seabed. You may help improve it, then receive a Mission Deep Blue certificate to mark the effort.

It is less suitable if you want independent underwater time, advanced training, or a full qualification. You also need moderate physical fitness and enough comfort with following instructions in the water.

The language point may matter for international families. A young participant who did not speak the same language as the staff still received attentive support, but you should raise any communication needs when booking. Clear understanding of safety instructions is essential.

Booking, Weather, and Cancellation Details

The experience is often booked about 12 days ahead, so reserving in advance is sensible if your schedule in Sesimbra is fixed. Confirmation arrives when you book, and you can use a mobile ticket.

You can cancel up to 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 are offered another date or a full refund.

That weather rule is fair for an activity that depends on safe water conditions. I would avoid placing it on the last possible afternoon of a Portugal trip, especially if you would have no room to move the booking.

Should You Book Anthia’s Eco Try Scuba?

Book it if you want a careful, beginner-friendly introduction with a real conservation angle. The close instructor ratio, included equipment, protected marine setting, and seabed cleanup make this more useful than a bare-bones first lesson.

You should skip it if you are looking for a certification course, a long underwater tour, or guaranteed wildlife sightings. For everyone else, $103.18 buys a well-supported first step, plus the chance to leave the seabed a little cleaner than you found it.

FAQ

Where does the eco try scuba experience 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.

Does the experience finish at the same place?

Yes. The activity ends back at Anthia Diving Center, the original meeting point.

Is scuba equipment included?

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

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

How many people can join the activity?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

How many participants does each instructor supervise in the water?

Anthia Diving Center places one instructor with every two people in the water.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.