As it marks its 35th anniversary, the marine park reflects on its role in shaping the Algarve’s identity and connecting generations to ocean life
Some places become part of a region’s identity, creating memories that span generations. In the Algarve, Zoomarine has done exactly that for the past 35 years.
Since opening on August 3, 1991, the marine theme park in Guia, Albufeira, has established itself not only as one of Portugal’s leading family attractions, but also as a place where entertainment, environmental education and conservation go hand in hand.
Pedro Lavia
More than three decades on, the park is entering a new phase shaped by renovations, new attractions and a more contemporary image, whilst holding on to the essence that has always defined it: bringing visitors closer to the marine world.
Behind the project is founder and CEO Pedro Lavia, originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, whose fascination with theme parks began long before arriving in the Algarve.
Inspired by a visit to a water park in the United States, he imagined creating in Portugal “a place of educational discovery and unique experiences for people, with a greater purpose: introducing visitors to the biodiversity of the marine world”.
Pedro Lavia moved to Portugal in 1989, a year he describes as one of profound “change”, prompted by a family trip to Lisbon during which he visited the city’s zoo. Just two years later, he fulfilled what he still calls “the dream of a lifetime” with the opening of Zoomarine.
Today, the park is one of the most visited attractions in the country.
In 2025 alone, Zoomarine welcomed more than 630,000 visitors and, since opening, has surpassed 15.7 million admissions.
For Pedro Lavia, that success is “the work of many teams, several generations of employees, partners such as Turismo de Portugal, Turismo do Algarve, the municipalities of Albufeira and Silves, the University of the Algarve, and, of course, all the visitors”.
That sense of continuity is still very much present in the park’s daily life, with dozens of staff members still part of the team since the early years.
“We are a community with a shared history,” says Pedro Lavia. After more than three decades going strong, he believes that “continuing to move families, create memories, and contribute to greater environmental awareness remains one of this journey’s greatest rewards”.
The anniversary also marks a period of transformation. One of the biggest additions this season is Nautilus, a new rollercoaster designed to offer a more immersive and dynamic experience for families. Beyond the thrill rides, attractions such as Oceanus, the Butterfly Garden, Jurassic River and the 4D Cinema continue to shape the park’s identity, alongside the interactive shows featuring dolphins, seals and sea lions.
“Our goal is to create a complete day out where different generations can have fun, learn and create memories together,” explains the CEO, adding that at Zoomarine “fun, discovery and environmental awareness coexist naturally”.
This new chapter also comes with an updated visual identity for the park. “More than a rebrand, this is a natural step in our evolution. We wanted to create a simpler, more contemporary and more approachable language, prepared for today’s challenges in both digital and physical form, whilst maintaining our connection to the marine world, entertainment and the emotions that have always defined Zoomarine.”
Environmental awareness remains central to the project, with entertainment serving as “a gateway to learning and environmental education”, according to Pedro Lavia.
That mission is reflected in the zoological shows, immersive habitats, educational programmes and the work carried out by Porto d’Abrigo. Founded in 2002, it is recognised as Portugal’s first rehabilitation centre for marine species, rescuing vulnerable animals, including sea turtles and other marine species, and treating them in environments designed to replicate their habitat conditions.
“It’s not just about helping animals. It’s about contributing to scientific knowledge, supporting conservation projects and strengthening the protection of marine ecosystems and biodiversity,” says the CEO.
At the same time, Zoomarine continues to work closely with schools and local communities. Every year, the park welcomes more than 25,000 students participating in educational activities focused on biodiversity and environmental preservation. At a time when sustainable tourism has become central to global discussions, Pedro Lavia believes Zoomarine has always been aligned with those values.
“The project was born with a clear educational and environmental awareness component, strongly linked to marine conservation and the relationship between people and nature. That foundation meant sustainability was never a trend for us, but part of our DNA,” the founder explains.
That concern also extends to the park’s water management. Today, Zoomarine operates a 4.5km pipeline system that brings seawater directly from Salgados beach, significantly reducing its reliance on the public water network.
Looking ahead, Zoomarine plans to continue growing in a sustainable way, particularly through projects linked to aquatic attractions and the redevelopment of immersive habitats. Even so, for Pedro Lavia, preserving the spirit of the project remains the priority.
“After 35 years, what truly sets us apart is our ability to evolve without losing our purpose. We still want to surprise visitors, whilst continuing to educate, raise awareness and encourage a more conscious relationship with the natural world,” he concludes.
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