Olhão

Spend a day at Slide & Splash in Lagoa, filled with slides, pools, and aquatic attractions. Younger kids will love the fantasy water world of Tropical Paradise, while thrill-seekers can ride the gravity-defying Big Wave. Take a break from the slides and relax in the Jacuzzi or the giant Laguna pool.   Be amazed by the colorful lights and music as you slide down Disco River, a real sliding discotheque. Aside from the aquatic amusements, the park’s 10 hectares are filled with different leisure areas, grassy lawns, restaurants, shows with animals, massages, and a fish spa. Enjoy a fun day out for the whole family.

Book your day ticket here for the Aquashow Park, Portugal’s largest and most popular water and thematic park. There’s plenty to enjoy and enough thrills to keep the kids happy all day. You’ll find an amazing variety of slides for all ages: • The 32-meter-high Free Fall/Kamikaze, a combination of 2 slides giving you the sensation of surfing on a big wave • The fabulous Speed Race, where you can compete with other guests to see who is the fastest slider • The White Fall which invites the bravest for a unique slide • The Wild Snake offering a ride into the dark The little ones can safely play in the water in their own mini-park world. There are slides and other water attractions to ensure they have lots of fun. For those looking to relax, the park offers a swimming pool, a Jacuzzi, and green areas with sunbeds. One of the park’s main attractions is the wave pool, simulating real sea waves. You’ll also find the biggest Water Coaster in Europe, reaching a maximum speed of 70 kilometers per hour. The Air Race is a thematic ride that has you sitting inside a real airplane doing aerobatics and stunts. Top Swing is one of the favorite thematic attractions, offering a new and unique experience.  In the show area you can take in shows featuring birds of prey, exotic birds, and reptiles. When you finally realize that you’re hungry you’ll find some good meal choices at one of the snack bars or BBQs. You can also find a small souvenir shop, changing rooms, lockers, and other facilities. Due to COVID-19, AquaShow Park is currently operating at a lower capacity. After booking, you'll receive a link to check-in at AquaShow Park and choose a date to visit.

Navigate the waterways between the barrier islands of Ria Formosa off the coast of Olhão and discover a paradise of nature. Enjoy great views of the Farol Bar and Santa Maria Lighthouse on Farol Island. Stop for lunch in the fishing village of Culatra, home to about 1,000 residents with shops, a school, church, medical office, and even its own football pitch. Savor the local fresh fish at a typical restaurant or go for a nice picnic on the beach. Continue to Armona Bay and island, where you will stop for another 30 minutes to appreciate the nature. Return to Olhão, passing close to several tuna factories and the fishing harbor. See a larger area of Ria Formosa than most other tours, and benefit from the expert knowledge of your skipper to learn about the flora and fauna.

When you’re in Portugal make sure to experience this exciting catamaran boat to Deserta and Farol islands that will take you through the spectacular nature of the Ria Formosa. Come see why this region was elected one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Portugal. Depart from the Marina of Faro sailing slowly through the channels of the Ria Formosa to fully enjoy the beautiful landscape. Along the tour you will see birds like the Grey Heron, the White Stork and many other birds that use this area as a feeding habitat. As you approach the islands and beaches you see the lighthouse of Culatra Island where you make our first stop. Looking around, one can observe the hard work of the people in the oyster and clam farms. A closer look towards the coastline and you will notice the market of the city of Olhão - an important fishing town. And off toward the ocean you can glimpse one of the most important sea entrances of the Ria Formosa. The next stop is Farol Island. Here, you can enjoy a walk around the streets of this small but friendly community. When passing by the lighthouse, go on until the very end to admire an extensive beach of fine white sand washed by calm warm waters. Leave the Farol Island and make your second stop at Deserta Island. This island is also known as Barreta Island. Here lies the most southern point of Portugal - the Santa Maria Cape. In this second stop you can choose to explore the fauna and flora of the island by an easy walk or simply enjoy the sunshine and bathe in the clear waters of the beach.

Begin your island-hopping trip with your captain who will act as your tour guide. First, stop at Lighthouse Island, where you can visit its village, get a drink, go to the beach, and explore the neighborhoods of beautiful houses. Continue on to Culatra Island for a few hours to take in a picnic lunch, or you can visit one of the local restaurants to dine at. Culatra Island has beautiful swimming areas too if you prefer to play in the water instead of eating here.  Next, you’ll arrive at either Armona Island or Deserta Island, depending on the season. In the summertime, Deserta Island hosts a beautiful beach, wild with no buildings. Explore either the Ria Formosa for a swim, or take in the Atlantic Ocean side of the island.

After boarding your boat, head out into the sheltered waters of Ria Formosa. Depending on the season you will get to discover one of two islands. In May, stop on Armona Island and drink a coffee on the beach or take a swim and explore the island. From May to September your first stop will be at Praia Deserta, one of the most pristine beaches in the Algarve. From the beach, head to the village of Ilha da Armona and enjoy a refreshing drink while you contemplate the amazing views. The final stop on your tour is at a deserted beach on Culatra Island, a small community of 1000 people that is to be a sustainability project by 2030. Here you can relax and, in summer, enjoy some swimming. After about 40 minutes to enjoy the beach and the sunset, you'll board your boat for the return trip to Olhão.

Cool off at Portugal's most exciting waterpark: Aqualand Algarve. Located between Albufeira and Portimão, Aqualand Algarve is a space of pure water fun, lasting the entire day. The park has something for everyone, from the "Children's Paradis" area with mini slides and activities for the most adventurous kids, while grown-ups can try out high adrenaline levels on “Banzai” with a vertical fall of 23m. Be it the sea waves in the Surf Beach wave pool or the speedy “Hydra”, with its three slides for simple and double floats, a great day is guaranteed. The park also features a semi-Olympic swimming pool, unique among the water parks in Portugal. With something for the whole family, your trip to Aqualand is sure to be a great day out.

Set sail from the port of Olhão and travel through the Ria Formosa National Park. Discover beautiful scenery and rich biodiversity with your expert crew. Learn more about the national park and local culture with your expert captain. Cruise by marshes, barrier islands, islets, dunes, and sand bars which are home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. Spot local birds, marine life, and beds of clams and oysters. Stop at Culatra Island where 1000 people live and no cars are allowed; experience this European sustainability project that will be completed by 2030. Then make a short visit to Praia Deserta and enjoy the serenity of a tranquil location accessible only by boat. While there, enjoy some time for a swim and take photos before returning to Olhão.

In this wonderful boat trip you will get a vast knowledge of the Ria Formosa and the Islands. Learn about the history and rich biodiversity of the region from the captain as you sail through its natural waterways. Leaving Olhão, sail through the channels to observe the nature of the Ria Formosa and stop at the Desert Beach for 1 hour. Next, visit Culatra Island and take 1.5 hours to explore the fisherman's island, home to only 1,000 people all year. Sample delicious local cuisine in one of the cafés or restaurants, your captain will be happy to recommend the best spots. Then, sail through another channel towards the city of Olhão and observe more of the Ria Formosa natural park.

Observe the nature reserve of the Ria Formosa while being navigated through its channels.  Stop on a desert island where you can swim, relax, and walk on its white sandy beach. You can also stop at one of the island communities Ilha do Farol or Ilha da Culatra. Explore the Ria Formosa area and listen to the detailed explanations that your skipper has to share throughout the tour. Learn about the fauna, flora, and fishing activities.  Discover this unique coastal lagoon that is constantly changing due to the continuous movement of winds, currents, and tides. It is also one of the most important areas for ornithology in Portugal, hosting more than 20,000 birds during the winter season.