Zoomarine Algarve marked its 35th anniversary with the presentation of Centro Immerso, a new project dedicated to conservation and environmental research, which will be one of the park’s main focuses for the coming years.
The commemorative ceremony took place last Friday, June 26, in Guia, and was attended by several institutional figures, including the Secretary of State for Tourism, Commerce and Services, Pedro Machado, the president of Turismo de Portugal, Carlos Abade, the president of the Algarve Tourism Region, André Gomes, the president of Albufeira City Council, Rui Cristina, and the president of Silves City Council, Luísa Conduto Luís.
In the opening speech, Tiago Pierotti, executive director of Zoomarine Algarve, recalled the origin of the project created by Pedro Lavia and highlighted that the purpose of the park “was never just to entertain”, but rather “to awaken mentalities, inspire behavior and create a connection between people and the natural world”.
More than celebrating the trajectory of three and a half decades, the event served to present the vision that will guide Zoomarine’s coming years.
It was in this context that João Neves, director of Science and Conservation, presented the Immerso Center for Environmental Conservation and Research, a strategic project that reinforces the park’s commitment to science, conservation, environmental education and the territory.
Immerso Center will have research, rehabilitation and Algarve Seed Bank
With European ambition, the Immerso Center will be a multipurpose infrastructure at the service of conservation and environmental research.
The space will bring together integrated conservation projects, a research center, an extension of the current rehabilitation center, botanical garden, Algarve Seed Bank, project incubator, coworking spaces, auditorium and meeting rooms open to the scientific community, partners and territory.
“Immerso is not a side project. It is the deepest layer of Zoomarine, made visible, formalized with scientific rigor, territorial scale and European ambition”, explained João Neves, director of Science and Conservation at Zoomarine Algarve.
The construction of the Immerso Center will be developed in phases. In 2026, the Ex-Situ infrastructure and active conservation projects will begin, including the Falanges and Caudal projects, dedicated to threatened species of high relevance for national biodiversity.
In 2027, the development of the rehabilitation center is planned, with technical structures to support the rehabilitation of marine fauna. In 2028, the plan aims to consolidate the botanical garden and the Algarve Seed Bank, focused on preserving the genetic memory of the region’s endemic flora. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2029, with the project incubator and research center fully operational.
The launch of the Immerso Center continues the scientific and conservation work that Zoomarine has been consolidating, namely through Porto d’Abrigo, the first Marine Species Rehabilitation Center in Portugal, and the creation of the first Center for Species Survival Behavior Change in the world, in partnership with the IUCN Species Survival Commission.
Founder highlights trajectory and team work
Pedro Lavia, founder and president of the Board of Directors of Zoomarine Algarve, highlighted the trajectory that began in 1991 and the role of everyone who contributed to the park’s growth.
“It is with deep happiness that I see Zoomarine becoming a true landmark in the Algarve. This success is due to the extraordinary work over the years and the team spirit, dedication and professionalism of everyone who made it possible to build what we are today. This dream, realized in 1991, was also only possible thanks to the support of my family, who accompanies me at this moment and in the management of Zoomarine”, he said.
“To all the collaborators, the entire Zoomarine family, I would like to thank you for your daily commitment. Over the last 35 years, we have been growing, learning and consolidating this project, which is today a source of pride for all of us, a national and international reference and a contribution to education and environmental conservation”, he added.
The event was closed by the Secretary of State for Tourism, Commerce and Services, Pedro Machado, who highlighted the importance of projects such as Zoomarine for affirming the Algarve as a destination capable of combining leisure, knowledge, sustainability and value creation.
The 35th anniversary celebration was also marked by winning the “Best Theme and Amusement Park” award at the Publituris Portugal Travel Awards 2026, a ceremony that took place on the same day, at the Hilton Vilamoura Resort & Spa.
According to Zoomarine, the award reinforces the park’s positioning as a differentiating project in Brazilian tourism and confirms the sector’s recognition for the trajectory developed over three and a half decades of operation.
Founded in 1991, today it presents itself as a destination that combines education and entertainment, with nature conservation and animal welfare as its pillars.
The park develops and supports species preservation projects, both in situ and ex situ, and promotes a more conscious relationship between people, the environment and animals.
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