Water activity

From Faro: 4 Stops, 3 Islands in Ria Formosa Catamaran Tour

4.5  / 5798 reviews
Activity provider:Estrela da Ria Formosa
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Water activity
From Faro: 4 Stops, 3 Islands in Ria Formosa Catamaran Tour
Activity provider:Estrela da Ria Formosa
4.5  / 5798 reviews
Likely to sell out

Discover the 3 islands of Ria Formosa Natural Park on a catamaran tour. Visit Ilha Deserta, Ilha do Farol, and Ilha da Culatra and make stops to swim, try seafood, and watch Portuguese oyster farming.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
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Duration 4 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
Spanish, English, French, Portuguese

Experience

Itinerary

  • getyourguide-logo-icon.svg

    Starting location:

    Cais das Portas do Mar

  • Parque Natural da Ria Formosa

    Guided tour, Sightseeing, Scenic views on the way, Wildlife viewing (30 minutes)

  • main-stop-icon.svg

    Praia da Ilha Deserta

    Photo stop, Visit, Free time, Walk, Swimming (45 minutes)

  • Cape of St. Mary, Faro

    Pass by

  • main-stop-icon.svg

    Ilha do Farol

    Photo stop, Visit, Free time, Walk, Swimming, Local snacks (45 minutes)

  • Parque Natural da Ria Formosa

    Sightseeing, Wildlife viewing

  • main-stop-icon.svg

    Hangares

    Photo stop, Scenic views on the way (15 minutes)

  • Parque Natural da Ria Formosa

    Sightseeing, Wildlife viewing

  • main-stop-icon.svg

    Culatra Island

    Photo stop, Visit, Picnic, Free time, Walk, Local snacks, Regional food (2 hours)

  • Parque Natural da Ria Formosa

    Sightseeing, Scenic views on the way, Wildlife viewing

  • Arrive back at:

    Cais das Portas do Mar

Main sites passed
Other sites passed

For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.

Highlights

  • Explore the Ria Formosa Natural Park and its islands
  • Swim in the waters of Ilha Deserta, the southernmost point of mainland Portugal
  • Enjoy lunch at a traditional fresh fish restaurant
  • Try local Ria Formosa oysters
  • Discover the difference in the cultures of the 3 islands

Full description

Enjoy a catamaran tour in the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Discover its 3 islands with 4 stops included. Swim and snorkel in crystal clear waters, explore a traditional fishing village and see how oysters are farmed. Start your tour by crossing the channels of the Ria Formosa to observe the seabirds feeding on the edges of the marshes. Enjoy your first stop for 45 minutes at Ilha Deserta and swim and snorkel in the crystalline waters. Then, head to the next stop, Ilha do Farol for another 45 minutes to discover the lighthouse and take pictures of the typical Algarve houses around it. Sail towards Ilha da Culatra for the third stop, a fishing community, for 2 hours of free time. Enjoy the option to have lunch at a traditional restaurant on the island where the main course varies between fresh fish and seafood. Finally, make your last stop where you can observe oyster farming in the Hangars. Admire the tide changes at the Ria Formosa.

Includes

  • Professional skipper
  • Snorkeling masks
  • Life jackets
  • Lunch
  • Other food, drinks, and snacks

Not suitable for

  • People with mobility impairments

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Board at Cais da Porta Nova. Look for a staff member with a green T-shirt at the Estrela da Ria Formosa stand.

Open in Google Maps ⟶

Important information

What to bring

  • Sunglasses
  • Sun hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Water
  • Comfortable clothes

Not allowed

  • Pets
  • Smoking
  • Unaccompanied minors

Know before you go

  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Tours are subject to weather conditions
  • The morning tour lasts 5 hours, and the afternoon tour lasts 4 hours

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.5 /5

based on 798 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.6/5
  • Transportation
    4.7/5
  • Service
    4.3/5
  • Organization
    4.3/5

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By star rating

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G
GetYourGuide traveler – FranceNovember 14, 2022  – Verified booking
Vraiment super ! Une activité top ! Pas du tout attrape touriste, le petit bateau est très confortable et convivial, le guide super sympa et instructif, parle plusieurs langues et coupe le moteur pour expliquer l’histoire des lieux. 3 arrêts sur différentes îles pour profiter et découvrir les lieux. Vraiment une super journée !
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GetYourGuide traveler – PortugalOctober 15, 2022  – Verified booking
Time appeared relatively short for such journey of 3 stops and 1 passing by. If arranged lunch was chosen, you won't have time at the Culantra beach which requires at least 25-min walk each way! Also, the October waves were too wild for a swim. The water was too cold. Most people were sun bathing only. So don't expect any fun in the ocean.
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GetYourGuide traveler – GermanyOctober 14, 2022  – Verified booking
The captain took us with the boat to actually only three locations. At the first two, we had around 50 minutes to explore and discover. Which was enough time to see all exciting things, but not too much to get bored. The last stop took around 2.5 hours and gave us a good opportunity to eat lunch. While on board, the captain gave us very brief, unengaged information, which I would like to have more. All in all, the trip was more about getting brought at the locations without suggestions what to look for, but it was great to see them and also the given time was enough, as there is not much to discover.
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Product ID: 103007

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