Since 2005, we’ve been sharing the wild beauty of Setúbal Bay, one dolphin sighting, one sunrise, one story at a time.
FROM A PASSION FOR THE SEA TO A LIFE’S WORK
Rotas do Sal was founded in 2005 by Jorge Pina, a man whose connection to Setúbal Bay began long before it became a business. What started as a personal passion for the sea grew into a mission: to share this extraordinary stretch of coastline, and the wild dolphins that call it home, with travelers from around the world.
Over the past two decades, that mission hasn’t changed. We are, first and foremost, a team of people who genuinely love this region, and who believe the best way to protect it is to help others fall in love with it too.
WHAT DRIVES US
Respect for nature Setúbal Bay is home to one of the few resident populations of bottlenose dolphins in Europe. Every tour we run is designed around their wellbeing first — we follow strict distance and approach guidelines to help protect this fragile ecosystem for generations to come.
Our commitment to sustainability has been recognized: our vessel Ácala has been awarded the Blue Flag for two consecutive years, a certification given to vessels that meet strict environmental, safety, and service standards.
Local knowledge, real guides Our guides were born and raised around this coastline. They don’t just narrate a route. They share the stories, the history, and the small details that only come from a lifetime spent on this water.
Safety without compromise All our vessels and activities meet strict safety standards, and our team is trained to put your peace of mind first, so you can focus on the experience.
Authentic, not staged We don’t manufacture “experiences.” We open the door to a place, its wildlife, its landscapes, its people, exactly as it is.
LICENSED & CERTIFIED
Rotas do Sal operates under official Portuguese tourism licenses:
RNAAT n.º 79/2009 (National Register of Tourist Animation Agents)
RNAVT n.º 8126 (National Register of Travel and Tourism Agencies)
With two decades of continuous operation in Setúbal Bay, we are proud to be one of the region’s most established nature tourism operators.
Our vessel Ácala also holds the Blue Flag award, for the second consecutive year,an international certification recognizing high environmental and quality standards.
COME EXPLORE WITH US
Whether it’s your first time in Setúbal or you’re returning to see the dolphins again, we’d love to show you why this bay has kept us here for 20 years.
