Top Faro On the Water

Cruise the glittering waters of Ria Formosa Natural Park on a 3-hour sailing trip from Faro. After you climb aboard a luxurious catamaran, sail to natural landmarks like Deserta Island and Farol Island and scour the scenery for sightings of exotic birds. Observe the lives of locals as you listen to history and culture-rich commentary from your guide. Receive personalized attention on this small-group tour, limited to 10 passengers.

Discover the nature and wildlife of the Ria Formosa Natural Park on this tour from Faro. Avoid the crowds aboard an intimate catamaran, perfect for your small group. Stop first at Barreta Island, on the southernmost point in Portugal, to see its sand dunes. Then explore the Ria Formosa Natural Park with opportunities to spot various wildlife in its channels. Finish at Farol island, where you find long, sandy beaches and your choice of beach bars.

This boat tour will show you the magnificent natural park of Ria Formosa. Travel safely in a small group, with experienced crew members to steer the boat and keep you entertained with commentary along the way. During the tour, learn about local landscapes and wildlife, discover picturesque islands such as Armona and Culatra.

While most visitors flock to more central parts of the Algarve, the Ria Formosa Natural Park remains one of the region’s hidden gems. Experience the coastal gem at its most magical during a sunset boat tour that lets you admire the Atlantic coastline and wildlife from a fresh perspective.

The Ria Formosa flows through Portugal’s Algarve region, offering a haven for native wildlife—but exploring the lagoons without disturbing the birds isn’t easy. On this small-group tour, cruise along the Ria Formosa peacefully by eco-friendly solar-powered boat and enjoy uninterrupted views over the wetland scenery. With minimal engine noise from your solar-powered boat, spot native wildlife in its natural habitat and see the best of the Ria Formosa.

Discover the stunning Algarve coastline on a half-day adventure combining sea kayaking, coastal walks, and free time to relax. Depart from Faro in a comfortable air-conditioned van and experience the perfect mix of nature, exploration, and excitement. Start your journey with an incredible adventure to visit the iconic Benagil Cave — the cave that appears on postcards, your computer’s screensaver, and in photos everyone dreams of taking. Then continue exploring some nearby grottos and hidden beaches during a one-hour kayak tour. After kayaking, continue by van to the eastern side of Algar Seco, where you’ll explore dramatic limestone formations, the amazing natural pool, and the famous Boneca (Doll’s) Cave. For the more adventurous, there’s also the option to try cliff jumping, under supervision. End your experience in the charming coastal village of Carvoeiro, with time to relax on the beach, explore scenic viewpoints, or enjoy local food and drinks.

Learn to surf during a group lesson on your Faro vacation, and head to Praia de Faro where soft sands and professional surfing instructors await. Bookable for first-timers and advanced surfers alike, the lessons are grouped according to skills and limited to just eight per class to ensure personal attention in the water.

Explore the rugged ‘Deserted Island’ located just off the Algarve coast. Take the ferry to the island and observe the various bird species that inhabit the area such as herons, plovers, and black-winged stilts. Soak up the sun on the white sandy beaches or go for a walk and admire the beautiful scenery before taking the ferry back to Faro.

Explore the Algarve's Ria Formosa Natural Park during your time in Faro on this half-day excursion. Join a small group and visit four of the islands in the park—Deserta, Farol, Culatra, and Hangares—via a catamaran. Spend your day swimming in the warm waters, observing local marine life with your snorkel, and learning about local village life.

Admire the Ria Formosa Lagoon on this approximately one hour catamaran tour, where you and your private party will have the opportunity to see the marsh wildlife and have excellent views of the walls of the Old Town of Faro. No need to join a large group tour, or waste time with shared transport. This is perfect for those with not much time in Faro.

Observe the Flamingos, while enjoying a boat trip through the Ria Formosa Natural Park We advise this experience to all those who want to learn about the fauna and flora of the Ria Formosa and we promise that you will not regret or forget this tour, as it will be a fun time while enriching you.

If you’re a nature lover in The Algarve, Ria Formosa National Park should be at the top of your itinerary. During this 2-hour tour from Faro, you’ll explore the natural landscape on a ‘saveiro’ (a traditional painted boat) while learning about the myriad of bird species that inhabit the area. With luck, you’ll spot birds such as white storks, little egrets, spoonbills, and grey plover. This small-group tour is limited to 10 people to guarantee an intimate atmosphere.

The sunset in Ria Formosa paints rich hues of red blended with oranges, purples, and it's our favorite part of the time. The journey starts in Faro at 16h45 on the ferry to Ilha Deserta crossing the main channel of Ria Formosa Natural Park with a landscape of the birds feeding over the saltmarshes. Once arrival on Ilha Deserta, you'll have 30 minutes of free time in Ilha Deserta, so you can walk on beach, relax, enjoy a drink in Restaurant Estaminé and/or go for a swim. Afterwards the journey back will be at sunset, either with the ferry or the speedboat, depending on time of the year and time the sun sets. After picture taken, we had back to Faro.

Sail through the calm waters of the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve during your time in the Algarve on this sailing excursion. Join a small group and board your vessel to explore the four islands of the park. Stop at a couple of islands, keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife like dolphins, and enjoy dips in the warm waters of the lagoon. Food, drinks, and snacks are not included.

Portugal is home to many awe-inspiring natural landscapes but deciding where to visit can be overwhelming and trying to see everything can be just as stressful. While traveling through Olhao, take this Ria Formosa on Olhao Algarve Boat Tour, and combine a day on the water with swimming and sunbathing, too.

Have the freedom to take your Stand Up Paddle board or kayak wherever you want and visit several places on the same day or several days! Visit the Ria Formosa Natural Park in the morning and the Benagil Caves in the afternoon, in the company of someone, and in the case of kayaking it can be up to 3 people. The kayaks have super comfortable seats. We offer a map of the Ria Formosa, waterproof bags for your belongings and also for your cell phone. Safety vests are also included.

Get onto the water and keep your eyes peeled for dolphins on this small-group dolphin spotting cruise that leaves from Faro. Your captain knows the areas to find the dolphins, so sit back and relax as you cross the Rio Formosa and head to Cabo de Santa Maria in search of these beautiful animals. As your tour progresses, the scenery changes, so keep your cameras ready.

Embark on an unforgettable experience and explore the Atlantic Ocean in search of Cetaceans. Enjoy wonderful interactions with dolphins, such as Tursiops truncatus, Delphinus delphis, or even Orcas Orcinus orca and whales, as well as the rest of marine life. Watching cetaceans in Portugal is a regulated activity. So, know that all behaviors and rules are for the safety and well-being of animals and people aboard. Learn more about the Ria Formosa Natural Park, a saltwater estuary that functions as a maternity and natural habitat for a wide variety of species of fauna and flora, as we head out to the sea in search of the animals. The experience will be guided by me, Skipper Pudim. Local fisherman, from a family of Faro fishermen. With a whole life spent at sea and in Ria Formosa. Passionate about wildlife in general and Ria Formosa in particular. Create memories of a lifetime.

This is the only experience in the Eastern Algarve that has a full team of Marine Biologists not only guiding the trip, but collecting data for valuable scientific research. Our team has the highest sighting rate of cetaceans in the area, and the most species seen in Faro. The biologists have more trips and sightings than all the other local companies combined.

Experience Ria Formosa vibrant shoreline from the water on an exciting small-group speedboat tour! Speed up through the Inspiring Natural Channels of the Ria Formosa Natural Park on this Boat Tour from Faro. You will slide through the astonishing canals in a modern, fast and comfortable boat and you will see why Ria Formosa Natural Park is named one of the Portuguese “Seven Natural Wonders”. Along the tour you will be able to admire some of most magnificent exquisite birds and other wildlife that live all year long at the Natural Park. • Small Groups Tours • 1 or 2 Hours Tours • 1 Hour Tour visit 1 Island • 2 Hour Tour visit 2 Islands • Choose a morning or afternoon tour • Experience a comfortable Speed Boat Ride • Driven by a local professional guide

One of the best ways to enjoy the gorgeous nature in the Ria Formosa Natural Park is to explore by kayak. This group tour lets you glide over the waters in an eco-friendly way, without gasoline or intrusive noises. You can also choose a standup paddleboard if that’s more your style. Keep an eye out for all sorts of wildlife in this sprawling lagoon system.

The site is amazing with loads of wildlife such as flamingos, chameleons and turtles, just to name a few. The access to the beach is easy and the water is protected from the elements by the island so everybody can easily join in. The islands can be visited by kayak.

Make the most of your time exploring Ria Formosa Natural Park by traveling with a guide on this half-day excursion. While you move through the canals of Olhao, the Barrier Islands, and the bay of Armona, learn about the area’s ecosystem and history through guided commentary. Make a stop for lunch (own expense) in the tiny fishing village of Cultura, where you can get a restaurant recommendation or picnic on the beach.