Created in 2021, the “Mergulha por Cascais” project organizes eight annual underwater cleanups in Cascais Bay, taking place between the end of April and the beginning of October.

These actions rely on the collaboration of the local fishing community, responsible for transporting divers to the intervention areas, and on the essential support of volunteers who participate in different fronts:

  • Divers – collect underwater waste for about 1 hour;
  • Stand-Up Paddle – transport trash and equipment to land and ensure the security perimeter;
  • Ground team – rescues marine life trapped in debris, separates, weighs and counts the collected trash.

The results of each cleanup are recorded on the international PADI Project Aware platform, contributing to the global mapping of marine pollution.

Diving Bags

The project also aims to involve the municipality's young people in protecting the oceans, offering them the opportunity to join our team of volunteers through diving scholarships .

The initiative supports participation in the PADI Open Water Diver course with an 80% contribution . Scholarships are available to young people between 18 and 30 years old , residents of the municipality of Cascais, who commit to participating in at least five underwater cleanups.

Application requirements

To register, simply fill out the form and send the following documents:

  • Completed and signed honor pledge;
  • Motivation letter;
  • Copy of CPF (front and back);
  • Completed and signed medical questionnaire;
  • Proof of residence in the municipality of Cascais.

For more information and conditions, see the diving grant regulations .

From Trash to Art

“Tempus Fugit” – The Beauty and Reality of the Oceans

Inaugurated on December 7, 2024 , the sculpture “Tempus Fugit” , installed near the entrance to Praia do Peixe, in Cascais Bay, was created from marine litter collected during the 4th edition of the Mergulha por Cascais project .

The interactive work, designed by artist Fiumani , combines mirrors on the outside and trash on the inside , proposing a deep reflection on the relationship between the apparent beauty of the oceans and the environmental problems we face.

  • The Outside — The Illusion of Beauty

    The sculpture's mirrored surface reflects the surrounding environment, conveying an image of harmony and purity—like the sea seen from a distance.

    This reflection works as a metaphor: it shows how we often idealize the ocean, ignoring its hidden and fragile reality.

  • The Interior - The Infinity of Trash

    As you approach, visitors are confronted with an interior filled with waste collected from the sea.

    Strategically placed mirrors create an infinite visual effect , multiplying the trash and symbolizing the alarming scale of marine pollution. The contrast between exterior and interior reveals the gap between appearance and reality —between the idealized sea and its actual degradation.

A Work to Awaken Consciences

“Tempus Fugit” is not just a sculpture—it is a visual and emotional wake-up call about the damage we are doing to the ocean and the urgency for change.

As we look at the infinite reflection of marine debris, we are called to question our relationship with nature and act before time runs out.

The sculpture Dives through Cascais was an initiative of the Claro Movement and the Parish Council of Cascais and Estoril.

Partners Dive in Cascais