Boat Tour to Deserta and Farol Islands in Ria Formosa
Duration
3 hour(s)
Check availability to see starting times
Languages
English
Live tour guide available in the language you select
Skip the line
Included
Save time and enjoy priority access with skip-the-line entry
Discover authentic island communities shaped by sea traditions
Learn about diverse birdlife in natural wetland habitats
Explore unspoiled beaches with soft sand and clear waters
Experience small group comfort with open views and space
€ 42.26
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This activity is managed by our trusted partner FareHarbor.
Additional taxes and fees may apply — total shown at checkout.
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Experience a relaxed journey through the heart of the Ria Formosa Natural Park aboard a comfortable small-group catamaran, surrounded by calm waters, open skies, and ever-changing coastal scenery. Glide through winding channels where birds soar overhead, oyster farms line the lagoon, and traditional island life blends seamlessly with untouched nature, creating a peaceful and visually rich Algarve escape.
Discover the contrasting charm of Farol Island and Deserta Island, each offering a different expression of the region’s coastal beauty. Learn about local wildlife, maritime traditions, and island culture from an expert guide, then explore quiet beaches, village paths, and natural landscapes that showcase why Ria Formosa is considered one of Portugal’s most treasured natural wonders.
Boat trip
Life vests
Local guide
Live commentary on board
Spoken languages English, Portuguese and Spanish
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Transportation to & from attractions
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Plenty of Water
Rucksack or Backpack
Sun protection recommended: hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Camera
Comfortable Clothing & Flat Shoes
Windbreaker or Waterproof Coat
Wheelchair accessible
Arrive 10 minutes before departure
Subject to weather and sea conditions
Respect wildlife and protect natural areas
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Type in your hotel/accommodation to see how far the attraction or departure point is.
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Activity Provider: Natura Algarve
Customer Reviews
MR_Travel
Hop-On/Hop-Off boat trip for 3 island was pretty good. The boat always came on right time and everyone was friendly. Even the person who sold the tickets were kind. BUT if you get easily dizzy this isn’t for you. You get on a speed boat and even though they drive on a constant speed - you get a little bit disoriented on the way back to Faro (my head was a little bit spinning but I am okay)
Maria
It took us just 15 minutes by speedboat from Faro to Ilha Deserta. The transport was perfect - friendly and professional crew, reliable equipment, solid boats and proper life jackets… basically everything that is missing when you book a speedboat in Bali 😂 We’ll definitely come back a few more times this week. Thank you guys 🙏🏻 Highly recommended ❤️🚤
Aditya
We did the Ria Formosa Sunset Boat Tour from Faro. It was such a serene and beautiful nature experience! Jokin was our guide and he was such a friendly guy. He asked us our names and addressed us by our names all through the tour - who doesn't like to be called by their name? :) we felt really welcomed! He shared a lot of information about the birds, the local ecosystem, and about the lagoon. He also lent us a binoculars and took photos of us. It was a beautiful sunny evening and the tour timing was perfect for the sunset. To top it off, we were the only persons on the boat, so we were lucky to get a private tour :) Excellent value for the price!!
Nandini
We had a fantastic time. Our guide made the trip very interesting. The islands are stunning.
Maria
Nice day out in the boat - stopped at 2 islands with time to swim and enjoy the beach
Simone
We had a good time in our 1 hour tour. The guide Diogo was very friendly with us. We talked a lot and had fun during the trip. Very suggested.
Anja
Our tour guide Joao was great and told us many interesting details about Faro and the national park. We had a lovely time and on the way back we even saw dolphins, which made it the perfect trip. Thanks!
Bob
a really good mix of boat travel and island visits lasting 3 hours. Lots of interesting facts about the area from the excellent guide.
peter
Absolutely superb day. We bought the eco tour with the island hopping option at 50 euros per person. This started with a skiff tour of the lagoons hosted by Thomas, a marine biologist. His knowledge of the local ecosystem was excellent and he pointed out a number of birds and plants as navigated. Stopping at Deserta island we walked and saw audouin gulls and crested larks. Moving from one island to the next was easy. Every boat manned by friendly staff. The culatra stop was excellent for lunch and to top it all was saw bottlenosed dolphins on the way back to Faro. Just brilliant.
AK
Highly recommend their hop on hop off services that you can get to explore all the islands in the Ria Formosa region. We took the early morning shuttle to Deserta, then to Farol and Culatra. All the shuttles are punctual with experienced riders. They have a schedule for each island giving you enough time in each. Also used the agency to book a Eco tour of the national park which included birdwatching. Jokin was our guide and had a lot of knowledge about the national park here.