Ria Formosa boat tour from Olhão discover stunning islands

Price overview

• Three-island boat tour Ria Formosa from Olhão - 5.5 hours - per person (ages 6+) 45.-€
• Three-island boat tour Ria Formosa from Olhão - 5.5 hours - per person (ages 3-5) 22.50€
• Three-island boat tour Ria Formosa from Olhão - 5.5 hours - per infant (ages 0-2) 0.-€

Booking option: Ria Formosa island boat trip

A great experience in the Ria Formosa Natural Park, where you will get to know nature and wildlife and have the opportunity to explore three beautiful islands in one day: Culatra, Armona (in winter), Praia Deserta (in summer) and Farol. With a maximum of 11 passengers and the captain, our boat tour starts in Olhão. A 2-hour stop is planned for the fisher island of Culatra. You can explore the island on your own and have the opportunity to taste one of the legendary fish dishes here (not included). For a walk of around 45 minutes we anchor in the harbour of Farol - the island with the beautiful lighthouse.

Finally, we reach Praia Deserta, one of the most beautiful and lonely beaches in the Algarve, located at the last tip of Culatra. Enjoy a swim break or time on the beach here in summer (umbrellas are included). In winter, we will take a visit to Armona Island, which is usually crowded in the high season, and enjoy the tranquillity and scenery of this enchanting community. No stop but a view from afar on this Ria Formosa boat tour includes, of course, the famous islands of Hângares and Desert Island. On board we always have the binoculars handy to keep an eye on the nature of the Ria Formosa.

Overview

• Departure time: 10:30 (summer) | 12:30 (spring, autumn, winter)
• Duration: ~ 5.5 hours
• Days: daily
• Months: possible all-year
• Languages: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese
• Pick-up not included
• Starting point: Olhão

Included

• Skipper, professional guide, insurance, boat ride, drinks
• Binoculars, snorkel & beach games

Detailed description

Take a boat tour through Ria Formosa from Olhão and discover the beautiful islands

Come with us to discover the natural paradise of Ria Formosa in the Algarve. For 5 hours we take you to a boat tour through this beautiful landscape and show you the small secrets and the big stories. With our experienced skipper on board, we head for 3 of the most famous islands of the Ria Formosa during this boat trip and take the time for sightseeing. Starting point of the Ria Formosa boat tour is our home port Olhao. We have a small, comfortable motor boat that is made for this mudflat and marsh landscape. Up to 6 people can sit under the sun canopy and enjoy the truly unique view of this island landscape.

Our first stop is Culatra. We anchor for 2 hours in the fishing community, have time to stroll through the small streets with their typical houses. If you like, you can try one of the fish dishes here. We are happy to help you choose a restaurant. No less attractive to guests is the lighthouse, which is the landmark of the island of the same name, Farol (lighthouse). In summer, Farol is also a holiday destination for the Portuguese themselves, many own a holiday home here. Finally, we set course for Praia Deserta, perhaps the loneliest beach in the Algarve, which separates Culatra from the Ria Formosa. Here you have the opportunity to dive, swim and take unique photos! A true paradise! This beach is one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in the Algarve, with a wide sandy beach that offers plenty of space to relax! In winter, when things are generally a bit quieter in the Ria Formosa, we also get to know the island of Armona, without a doubt one of the most interesting islands. In summer, however, it is unfortunately so busy that it is impossible to stay there in peace.

The Ria Formosa is often called the 7th natural wonder of Portugal - people are proud and full of respect for this unusual landscape between coastal cities like Albufeira, Faro and Olhão and the mighty Atlantic Ocean. Created in its present form since an earthquake and seaquake in 1755, the Ria Formosa is one of the largest lagoonal protected areas in Europe. With many small islands, large tidal flats and some salt marshes, between which crystal clear water flows in the channels, the Ria Formosa is a picturesque natural spectacle against the backdrop of the cliffs, hills and mountains of the Algarve in southern Portugal.