Top Faro On the Water

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.

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.

Discover the local marine life around Faro, Portugal during this exciting cruise. Join a small group and set sail on the Atlantic Ocean in search of several aquatic species. Observe bottlenose and common dolphins, marine birds, bluefin tuna, and perhaps even orcas and sharks. An onboard marine biologist provides information on what you see and collects research data.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Combine a trip to the Benagil Cave with a visit to the Marinha Beach, and check off two of the Algarve's highlights in just one trip. After traveling by road from Faro, see the famous Benagil Cave from above, peering into the cave from its famous roof. Afterward, travel onwards to Marinha Beach for ample time to swim, explore, and laze on the beach.

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.

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.

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.

Embarking on Fuzeta, a boat ride to the perfect spot to begin the fishing. The Ria Formosa Tour team will provide the necessary material and the skipper responsible for the tour will assist those who need help. The fishery will last for 2h30. This activity will be a dynamic activity, offering the possibility, to all who embark, of fishing and, we guarantee adrenaline on board

See more of the Algarve in less time on this fast-paced speedboat tour through the Ria Formosa Natural Park, one of Portugal's most important coastal lagoons. Pass barrier islands and the historic Faro Old Town waterfront in a fraction of the time of a standard boat tour, with a skipper on hand to point out the highlights as you go. Join a small group of up to seven, or upgrade for a totally private experience.

This Octopus Route boat tour takes you through the stunning Ria Formosa Natural Park, with stops at Santa Luzia, known as the octopus capital of the Algarve, and the beautiful Terra Estreita beach. Along the way, you’ll cruise past saltpans, oyster and clam farms, and the islands of Cabanas and Tavira, enjoying memorable coastal views. What makes this tour unique is its mix of nature, local culture, and gastronomy. In Santa Luzia, guests have around 90 minutes of free time to explore independently, without a guide. You can choose how to spend your stop, whether discovering the fishing quarter, learning about traditional octopus fishing, strolling through the village, or enjoying lunch at a local restaurant. The tour then continues to Terra Estreita beach, where there is time to relax, walk along the sand, or swim. This experience is ideal for food lovers, culture seekers, families, and travelers looking for a relaxed and authentic way to experience the Ria Formosa.

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.

See wild dolphins in their natural habitat on this small-group boat trip off the Algarve coast. Begin in the quiet waters of the Ria Formosa Natural Park before venturing into the open sea as your experienced crew keeps watch for dolphins, offering commentary on their behavior and the marine ecosystem along the way. Perfect for families and nature enthusiasts alike.

Spot local wildlife on this eco-cruise off the coast of the Faro for a unique perspective of the Algarve. Climb aboard your RIB boat with a small group and cruise along the rugged coastline and through the Ria Formosa Natural Park, listening to commentary from your nature guide. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, fish, and birds.

Before visiting the Atlantic Ocean, you'll also see the Ria Formosa Natural Park and the Barrier islands: Deserta and Farol. The boat only takes a small group of 12 people, so everyone can feel very comfortable and the tour gets more personal.

Explore Ria Formosa National Park at your own pace on a private sightseeing boat tour that takes you to islands and fishing communities inaccessible by other transport. Visit the islets of Deserta, Farol, Culatra, and Armona, and enjoy time to sunbathe and swim in the crystal clear waters of Armona Beach.

Whether you’re just learning to ride a board or honing life-long surfing skills, this private surfing lesson promises to enhance your time on Portugal’s Atlantic coast—hailed as one of the best places to surf in Europe. Your private instructor will customize your lesson according to your ability and experience.

Kayak along Olhao’s Ria Formosa on this guided tour where you’ll explore islands like Farol or Fuseta with just your private group. You can customize this tour according to your interests, since you’re not on a large group tour. You’ll have drybags available for your belongings and phone, so you can bring it with you and take some incredible photos of the islands and your group.

Enjoy a private sailing trip on our Special Sailing Catamaran. We will tailor the experience for you for whatever activity or sights you would like to see or do. Our Skipper, is always available to give suggestions for the best places and beaches to visit in accordance to the time of the day. Just sit back, relax, and take in the sights. We will make some stops in a couple of bays next to some desert beaches so you can have your time to have a swim or go ashore to visit the islands. This is a private tour and is great for families, couples and groups of friends. - Private Activity - just you and your group will be aboard - Catamaran provided ample space for big groups of up to 16 People - Skipper and Hostess Included - Paddle Boards and Snorkeling Equipment Included - Stops for Swims - Small Children are Welcome