Ria Formosa
Tours

Ria Formosa: Our most recommended tours and activities

Faro: Ria Formosa Faro Islands Boat Tour

Faro: Ria Formosa Faro Islands Boat Tour

Sail to the beautiful Ria Formosa Natural Park, with regular departures scheduled from Faro. The journey follows the Ria Formosa channels and includes stops at the magical islands of Farol and Deserta. See the imposing Santa Maria Lighthouse in Farol and enjoy time to explore and try island cuisine. In Deserta, admire the rolling dunes and unique landscapes. Look out for unique flora and fauna. Enjoy plenty of swimming opportunities on both islands (Spring and Summer seasons), with secluded beaches and pristine shores. On board, learn about the islands and the park with insightful commentary from your guide in various languages.

From Olhão: Ria Formosa 3-Island Full-Day Tour

From Olhão: Ria Formosa 3-Island Full-Day Tour

Explore three islands by boat on this cruise from Olhão to Farol, Culatra and Armona Islands or the deserted beach. Experience the beautiful, deserted beaches of the islands and discover the Culatra island. Travel in small groups of 11 people. Your guide will explain the Ria Formosa and the islands to you throughout the tour and help with anything you need. Set off with your captain and tour guide on an incredible three-island tour. First, make a stop at Ilha do Farol of 45 minutes until 1 hour , where you can visit the village, have a refreshing drink, go to the beach and stroll through the neighborhoods of beautiful houses. In Farol, there are several establishments open during the summer. Continue with a visit to Culatra Island for a few hours and enjoy a picnic or visit one of the local restaurants. Culatra Island also has a beautiful beach , if you prefer to enjoy the sea instead of eating on site. Stop on the island for 2 hours to have lunch and explore the village. Around 1000 people live on this fishing island throughout the year, where fishing has been the predominant business on the island for many generations. There are 2 schools, 1 church, 1 football team, several restaurants, cafes and souvenir and craft shops. There is a bakery with its own production that makes delicious cakes that leave our customers surprised by the authentic taste of the cakes. If you want to go to the beach we recommend taking a picnic or you can have a delicious meal on Culatra Island (in summer it's best to make a reservation) Then head to Ilha da Armona or the deserted beach, depending on the season. In summer, you can enjoy the deserted beach , with its beautiful natural landscape, free from buildings , where we will stay for 1 hour .  This is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve. It is a beach only accessible by boat, so it is always more deserted than the beaches on the islands. In this paradisiacal place, the white sand and crystal clear water make this beach one of the most desired in the entire Algarve and the best stop on this tour. Enjoy the tranquility of the environment. If it's too windy, cold or it's winter, we swap the deserted beach for the magnificent Armona Island! The beautiful Armona Island is inhabited year-round by locals and tourists and it is spectacular for a beautiful walk to the coast admiring the flowers and gardens of the houses on the islands, where many of them are available for rent during the holidays. If we don't stop at the deserted beach, we will stop at Armona Island for 1h00 A combination of several experiences, you will discover magnificent beaches with white sand and crystal clear water, islands and communities, admire the nature of the Ria Formosa and its fauna and flora, the gastronomy and special dishes of the Island and the region. You will learn more about fishing techniques, customs and traditions, a super complete tour to learn a lot about the region and enjoy a wonderful boat trip.

Faro: Tourist Train Hop-On Hop-Off Ticket

Faro: Tourist Train Hop-On Hop-Off Ticket

Relax and enjoy a Faro tour on a special tourist train. During this tour, you will visit beautiful and important monuments of the city, including Old City, the Jardim Manuel Bivar, Igreja da Misericórdia, Sé de Faro, Teatro Lethes, Igreja do Carmo, Igreja São Pedro, Zona Comercial da Baixa de Faro, pass by the lagoon Ria Formosa and the new town. Via a multilingual audio system, learn curious facts and secrets as you pass by each location. Your ticket is valid for a full day, so you can stop at any of our stops, explore the surroundings and hop back in to the next stop. The stops are: Praça D. Francisco Gomes (where our tour starts), Jardim da Alameda, Ermida de Santo António, Mercado da Cidade e Igreja do Carmo.

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

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

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.

Faro: Dolphin and Wildlife Watching in the Atlantic Ocean

Faro: Dolphin and Wildlife Watching in the Atlantic Ocean

Discover different species of cetaceans, birds and other marine life on this exciting experience in the Algarve. Leaving from Faro, cross through Ria Formosa Natural Park towards the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy the views of the Barrier Islands (Deserta and Culatra) or the marshlands as you cruise to the coastline. Once you reach the ocean, spot wildlife such as dolphins, whales, and porpoises. Whale season is between February and May, while dolphins are resident all year round. You will also see birds such as gannets and shearwaters flying overhead. When it comes to fish, spot species such as ocean sunfish, blue sharks, and hammerhead sharks, as well as a few marine turtles. A team of two marine biologists will help you find as many species as possible during your time on the ocean, and give you facts and information about the fauna and the surroundings.  After spotting a group of dolphins, enjoy 30 minutes free to watch the group. Feel free to ask any questions regarding dolphins and other marine life to one of your guides and take the opportunity to learn more about how biologists collect data for scientific research on dolphin populations. Once your observation time is over, return to Ria Formosa and cruise back to Faro.

Faro: Deserta Island and Farol Island Catamaran Boat Trip

Faro: Deserta Island and Farol Island Catamaran Boat Trip

Begin your adventure at Faro Marina, where you’ll board a comfortable catamaran to explore the stunning Ria Formosa Natural Park. As you glide through its serene channels, marvel at the diverse birdlife, including Grey Herons and White Storks, who thrive in this protected habitat. Your first stop is Farol Island, home to the iconic Culatra Lighthouse. Stroll through the charming community, visit the lighthouse, and walk to the island’s end to discover a tranquil beach with soft white sand and calm, inviting waters perfect for a refreshing dip. Next, sail to Deserta Island, also known as Barreta Island, the southernmost point of Portugal. Here, you can explore its untouched natural beauty on a peaceful walk, spotting unique flora and fauna, or relax on its pristine beach under the warm sun. Conclude your journey with a scenic return to Faro Marina, soaking in the breathtaking views and unforgettable memories of this unique experience in one of Portugal’s 7 Natural Wonders.

From Faro: Catamaran Boat Trip to Deserta Island with Stop

From Faro: Catamaran Boat Trip to Deserta Island with Stop

Discover a hidden paradise of the Algarve on a catamaran cruise from Faro. Climb aboard to journey through the channels of the Ria Formosa Natural Park on a 45-minute trip to see seabirds and native plants. Then, dock at Ilha Deserta (also known as Barreta Island and Santa Maria Cape Island). Only accessible by boat, the island remains unspoiled and it’s hard to believe such a natural jewel still exists in Europe. Go to a unique beach at the southernmost point of Portugal and sample the traditional flavors of the Algarve at the environmentally-friendly Estaminé Restaurant. Opt to stay on the island for a few hours or the entire day, and return to Faro whenever you want. Avail of a number of return crossings for your convenience.

From Faro: Ria Formosa Sunset Boat Trip

From Faro: Ria Formosa Sunset Boat Trip

Come and relax in the Ria Formosa lagoon on a boat trip at the best time of day: sunset. Soak up the stunning natural surrounds aboard a solar powered boat as you cruise through this beautiful natural park. Sit back and relax as you depart from the Faro Marina on board an eco-friendly boat. The solar powered boat is beautifully quiet, and this trip includes a variety of views. Your experienced skipper will guide you through the lagoon, its beautiful channels and marshlands, and approach numerous species of birds that inhabit this protected area without any disturbance.  This small group trip is limited to 10 people, offering an intimate experience and a wonderfully relaxing end to the day watching the sun go down over the lagoon. Soak up the stunning natural surroundings and the beautiful views over the Faro’s Old Town as you experience a beautiful sunset and cruise back to the Marina of Faro.

Olhão: 4-Hour Ria Formosa Islands Tour

Olhão: 4-Hour Ria Formosa Islands Tour

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 Farol 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.

From Faro: Ria Formosa Sunset Boat Trip

From Faro: Ria Formosa Sunset Boat Trip

When you’re in Portugal make sure to take this romantic tour on a comfortable pontoon boat while gazing at a beautiful sunset sinking over Portugal’s famed Ria Formosa. It is a truly memorable experience that you will want to share with someone extra special. Come see why this region was elected one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Portugal. The sunset over the Ria Formosa is a natural spectacle. Sit back, relax with your special someone and be awed by the tremendous sunset changing colors over the Ria Formosa landscape as day slowly turns into night. On this sunset boat trip the atmosphere is of course very romantic just by itself.

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What people are saying about Ria Formosa

Overall rating

4.5
(3,854 reviews)

it was a great day touring the eastern edge and the tour guide did good his only issue was he did not talk loud enough for anybody to hear except for the two people in the front the majority of the time when we were inside the vehicle if we were outside the vehicle everybody could hear I'm just fine but not inside the vehicle when he's facing forward to drive

The guide, Sebastian, was incredibly knowledgable, personable and able to track wildlife with his "eagle eye". The solar boat was sensational as it moved around with quiet ease, not disturbing the wildlife, and allowing for a closer encounter than that of a combustion engine boat.

Our guide was delightful. Lots of local knowledge and extremely helpful to my fabulous 84 yr old mum. Couldn’t ask for anything more, I have a better understanding of history and wildlife. Also helps it was a glorious day.

Being able to swap from the speedboat to 2 islands then the ferry for a longer sunset cruise back. However, they did not explain that this would cost me another €5 and just took it virtually. Not impressed with that.

Our driver Paulo was very friendly and informative. A great day out