Science, Nature and Enchantment
Ecosul Turismo offers crewed boat charters focused on nature observation in Ilhéus, Bahia. Here, the boat is your starting point to discover the most authentic experiences — a unique way to explore the southern coast of Bahia in complete harmony with the rivers, the sea, and wildlife.
Our mission is to promote a deep and conscious connection between people and Nature, especially with ocean life. Led by passionate biologists, we offer shared experiences and private tours that combine ecotourism, science, and environmental education.
Every moment is an immersion in Nature. Our commitment to science, respect for the environment, and support for local communities is central to all our activities. We collaborate with research groups and conservation projects, actively supporting whale protection and cetacean research, while also providing technical and financial support to students and conservation initiatives.
With strict safety protocols and transparent communication, we ensure a safe, enjoyable, and sustainable experience, always prioritizing nature-respecting tourism.
In 2021 started this journey. They are the
FUNDERS
Dr. THOMAS - Biologist, Photograph e licenced captain
Thomas is a talented member of our team who combines his passion for biology, photography, and marine exploration. A PhD in Biology dedicated to the understanding and conservation of species, his research focuses mainly on animal reproduction, with a specialization in reptiles. He is also the author of five scientific papers and five popular science articles.
In addition, Thomas is a skilled wildlife photographer, capturing breathtaking images of whales and other animals.
His artistic eye, combined with his biological expertise, results in stunning photographs that inspire greater appreciation and awareness of the natural world around us.
As captain of our vessel, he leads our expeditions, offering a safe and enriching experience. Fluent in French, English, and Portuguese, Thomas brings a multicultural perspective to our team. Now based in Brazil, he shares his passion for nature and wildlife, infusing every journey with enthusiasm and knowledge.
Thomas enriches our team with his scientific expertise, nautical knowledge, and photographic talent.
His presence strengthens our mission to promote wildlife conservation and inspire a love for nature in everyone who crosses our path.
Dra. Alice - Bióloga especialista em cetáceos e pesquisadora
Born in Bahia and always passionate about cetaceans, Alice began her career as a biologist studying Guiana dolphins in Ilhéus, as part of the Aquatic Mammal Research Group at the State University of Santa Cruz (GPMAI/UESC).
Her fascination with marine mammals led her to a career devoted to research and the protection of these remarkable creatures. With a strong academic background and a PhD obtained in France, where she studied the acoustic communication of dolphins and published four scientific papers, Alice has returned to Bahia after an enriching international experience.
Driven by the desire to share her passion and knowledge about whales and dolphins, she is also a member of the Projeto Baleias na Serra, dedicating herself to educating the public and promoting the conservation of marine ecosystems. Her dedication goes beyond cetaceans, extending to nature conservation in all ecosystems, with a special focus on the Atlantic Forest, which she has known since childhood through her family’s life among the cocoa plantations of southern Bahia.
Within our team, Alice plays a key role, sharing her specialized knowledge and infectious enthusiasm with everyone.
Her international experience, combined with her Bahian roots, enriches our work and inspires us to raise awareness about marine life and the importance of ocean conservation.
They graduate thanks to you, the
STUDENTS
Anabela - Biologist Master Degree Student 2022-2024
Anabela, originally from Pará, graduated from the Federal University of Pará (UFPA) and has always been passionate about cetaceans — a passion that led her to move to another state to work with large whales through Ecosul Turismo.
She began her studies with oceanic dolphins along the coast of Pará and is now pursuing a Master’s degree in Zoology at the State University of Santa Cruz (UESC), where she is developing the first research project using drone monitoring to assess the behavioral responses of humpback whales to whale-watching tourism in the Ilhéus region.
Through her work aboard our vessel, guests have access to a real-time transmission of scientific knowledge, contributing directly to species conservation.As Anabela often says, scientific research has little meaning when it exists only for itself — it must serve as a bridge to improve the relationship between humans and the environment!
Kalyane- Biologist Master Degree Student 2023 - 2025
Kalyane is from Bahia — a true daughter of Ilhéus! She graduated from the State University of Santa Cruz (UESC), where her love for cetaceans began during her undergraduate studies.
As an intern with the Projeto Baleias na Serra, she took part in field monitoring activities, conducting visual observations of humpback whales from a fixed observation point in Serra Grande.
She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Zoology at UESC, developing research focused on the behavior of mother-calf pairs of humpback whales, using drone-based monitoring carried out directly from our vessel.
Juliano - Biologist Master Degree Student 2024-2026
Born in Ilhéus, Juliano holds a degree in Biological Sciences from the State University of Santa Cruz (UESC). Having grown up along the southern and far-southern coasts of Bahia, he has always maintained a strong connection with the marine environment. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Tropical Aquatic Systems at UESC, where he studies the effects of vessel approach on the behavior and movement patterns of humpback whales, using drone-based monitoring.
Juliano is a member of the Aquatic Mammal Research Group of Ilhéus (GPMAI) and has solid experience in Ecology, with an emphasis on Applied Ecology.
His work includes photo-identification and bioacoustics of Guiana dolphins, contributing directly to the conservation of cetacean populations along the southern coast of Bahia.
Fernanda - Biologist PhD Student 2026-20300
Fernanda Fecci is a biologist with a Master's degree in Coastal and Oceanic Systems from the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) and is currently pursuing a PhD in Zoology at the State University of Santa Cruz (UESC), as a member of the Ilhéus Aquatic Mammal Research Group (GPMAI/UESC).
She works in the field of marine megafauna ecology and conservation, with experience in both boat-based and land-based monitoring, as well as research on cetaceans and marine turtles. Throughout her academic career, she has conducted research on the Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis), investigating aspects of its trophic ecology, parental behaviour, and the impacts of human activities.
Her current research focuses on the behaviour of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the context of whale-watching tourism. She aims to understand the interactions between vessel traffic and these animals during their breeding season, contributing to scientific knowledge, the development of responsible whale-watching practices, and the conservation of the species.
JulianA - Biologist Master degree student 2026-2028
Juliana Coura is an ecologist graduated from São Paulo State University (UNESP) and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Tropical Aquatic Systems at the State University of Santa Cruz (UESC). She has a multidisciplinary background and a strong interest in the different ways scientific knowledge can be produced, shared, and applied to support biodiversity conservation.
Her professional experience brings together several areas of marine wildlife conservation, particularly involving whales and dolphins. This includes working alongside offshore oil and gas operations, monitoring marine wildlife and implementing measures to prevent and mitigate the impacts of these activities on marine animals. She also has extensive experience in the environmental and social management of protected natural areas, contributing to management plans, environmental education initiatives, and engagement with traditional Caiçara, Quilombola, and Indigenous communities.
She is currently a member of the Ilhéus Aquatic Mammal Research Group (GPMAI/UESC), where she is conducting her Master's research on the relationship between society and humpback whales in the context of cetacean-watching tourism. Her research brings together her interests in marine life, environmental education, and science communication, exploring how tourism can create opportunities for people to connect with marine biodiversity.
Our center console boat dedicated to Ecoturism
PEDRA LISA II
Our “Pedra Lisa II” is a TOP FISH 21 motorboat. It measures 6.5 m in length and over 2 m in width. With 7 seats, a 150 HP engine, and an autonomy of almost 12 hours, it was designed and built for coastal and offshore navigation. It is also very comfortable on rivers, thanks to its shallow draft of only 45 cm. Whether you want to explore the open waters off Ilhéus or enjoy a family outing, you will always experience the best in comfort and safety with Ecosul Turismo.
University and private scientists
PARTNERS
