Ria Formosa Natural Park and Islands Boat Cruise from Faro
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Faro, Portugal
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
·
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
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.
- Ria Formosa islands boat tour from Faro
- Learn about the region’s wildlife and nature from a local guide
- Afternoon tours come with time for swimming breaks
- Enjoy a more intimate experience with this small-group tour
What's Included
- Local guide
- Live commentary on board
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Islands 4 YouAvenida da República Stand 8 Doca de Recreio de Faro, 8000-078 Faro, Portugal
The red desk Islands 4 you is about 100 meters in front of Eva Senses Hotel.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Barreta Island
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Ria Formosa Natural Park
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Ilha Do Farol
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Operated by a multilingual guide
- Parking available by Faro Marina
- Not recommended for people with impairment
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 33 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Maria_S
Such a magical time, the islands are beautiful. It was a great idea to go in late August when there’s still summer weather but most tourists have just left. Sandra was very diligent about making sure we found the boat at the marina via Whastapp the day before, and Ricardo was a lovely guide. Would absolutely do this again!
Reviews
4.9
based on 1,339 reviews
Jennifer_L, Mar 2026
Fantastic day. Andre was amazing. Lots of great information but not too much talking lol! Just the right balance. He was a skilled captain. The two stops were great. Boat felt very safe. Don’t hesitate to book!!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear Jennifer
Thank you so much for your fantastic review!
We’re delighted to hear that you had such a great day and that André struck the perfect balance with his explanations.
It’s wonderful to know you felt safe and comfortable on the boat and enjoyed the stops along the way. André will be very happy to read your kind words.
Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you aboard again soon!
Warm regards
Sandra
Michael_R, Mar 2026
Great Trip.
Nice to go out to see the Islands.
Great Guy Antonio driving the boat,great knowledge of the area.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear Michael
Thank you so much for your great review!
We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the trip and the visit to the islands. Antonio will be very happy to know that you appreciated his knowledge of the area and his company during the tour.
We hope to welcome you aboard again soon for another great experience! ⚓🌊
— The Islands 4 You Team
Brittany_N, Mar 2026
We had so much fun on this tour with Ricardo! There wasn’t a lot going on on either of the islands we stopped at but we enjoyed walking around and exploring!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear Brittany
Thank you so much for your lovely review!
We’re delighted to hear that you had so much fun on the tour with Ricardo and enjoyed exploring the islands. Even when they’re quiet, the peaceful atmosphere and natural beauty make them special to discover.
We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you aboard again soon! ⚓🌿
— The Islands 4 You Team
JeanMarc_T, Mar 2026
Very good experience. Knowlgeable guide. speaks 4 languages that was a plus. Great vies especially the sunset on our return trip.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your great review!
We’re delighted to hear that you had a very good experience and enjoyed the beautiful views, especially the sunset on the return trip. It’s wonderful to know that the guide’s knowledge and ability to speak several languages made the tour even more enjoyable.
We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you aboard again soon! 🌅⚓
— The Islands 4 You Team
Darry_F, Feb 2026
Nice tour to two of Faros barrier islands. Deserta is wind swept and barren while Ilha do Farol has a quaint seaside village, enjoyed both of them.
Huw_D, Nov 2025
A little boring. Being left alone on a beach/sand bar. If you’re travelling solo then this is really boring. Lots of shells to explore.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
We are glad you were not alone and you had your wife!
Happy Holidays!
Magnus_P, Nov 2025
I think we expected a more nature and animal experience, and more guidance about the natural park, history etc. Instead of being dropped at 2 different islands spending an 2 hours on our own. I will not recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
We don't control nature nor the animals because it's not a zoo.
This tour is the islands tour. We have a specific tour focused on nature. Next time, contact us so we can help you!
Happy Holidays!
Lorne_K, Oct 2025
This was a great cruise to 2 barrier islands. Antonio, our guide, was entertaining and informative. The cruise was for 3 hours and went through sunset. Highly recommend this experience.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Lorne,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the cruise, the island visits, and the beautiful sunset. Antonio will be so happy to know you found his guiding both entertaining and informative. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you on board again soon!
Warm regards
Sandra
Ellen_P, Oct 2025
Wonderful trip through the Ria Formosa park and islands. We stopped at two islands, with an opportunity to swim, but the water was too cold already. One is empty, the other one is a village with narrow streets and small houses. Very nice for a walk. On the way back, we caught the beautiful sunset. Our guide and captain was very informative. We enjoyed the tour very much and would recommend it.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Ellen,
Thank you so much for your wonderful and detailed review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed exploring the Ria Formosa, visiting the islands, and watching the sunset on the way back. It’s great to know our guide and captain made the experience informative and enjoyable. We truly appreciate your kind recommendation and hope to welcome you on board again soon!
Warm regards
Sandra
Max_L, Oct 2025
We had a great time seeing Ria Formosa, Ricardo was fantastic and knowledgeable of the area telling us the history and pointing out the wildlife.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Max,
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed exploring the Ria Formosa and that Ricardo made the experience both informative and memorable. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with him. Hope to welcome you on board again soon!
Warm regards
Sandra
Joyce_K, Oct 2025
Nice boat with a very frendly and capabel captain. He was also the guide. He showd us many birds and even new their names in different languages.
Great trip.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Joyce,
Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad you enjoyed the boat trip and that our captain helped make it special by sharing his knowledge of the birds. It’s wonderful to hear you had such a good time!
Warm regards
Sandra
Tania_R, Oct 2025
We really enjoyed this tour. Antonio was a great guide. This tour was exactly as it is described. I even received a personal email the day before giving me exact instructions on where to meet and asking if I had any questions about the tour that they could help with.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Tania,
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We’re delighted that you enjoyed the tour and that Antonio took good care of you. We really appreciate your kind words about our communication and organization — we love making sure our guests have a smooth and enjoyable experience from start to finish!
Warm regards
Sandra
Claudine_F, Sep 2025
A great way to pass throught the Ria Formosa. 2 stops on 2 islands where you can go swim and eat. Thank you Antonio our guide and captain!
Celeste_S, Sep 2025
Ricardo was a wonderful tour guide. We had a great time exploring the islands. I would recommend this excursion here in Faro.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Dear Cesleste,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm very happy to hear that you enjoyed exploring the islands and had a great time on the tour. Your recommendation means a lot, and I hope to welcome you back to Faro for another adventure in the future!
Best regards,
Sandra
Jan_C, Sep 2025
The boat trip was excellent. Antonio was a good guide and showed us the different birds on the islands. Also was he an excellent entertainer. We enjoyd it!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! 😊
We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the boat trip and had a great time with Antonio. He really knows how to make the experience fun while sharing his knowledge about the birds and the islands. We hope to welcome you again for another fantastic adventure soon! 🌿🚤
genevieve_r, Sep 2025
Very good experience.
Nice guide, full of humour.
Two différent islands, both interesting
We recommand
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Dear Genevieve,
Thank you for sharing your positive experience! We’re glad you enjoyed the humorous guide and both islands. We appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another great tour. Safe travels!
Maria_S, Aug 2025
Such a magical time, the islands are beautiful. It was a great idea to go in late August when there’s still summer weather but most tourists have just left. Sandra was very diligent about making sure we found the boat at the marina via Whastapp the day before, and Ricardo was a lovely guide. Would absolutely do this again!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hello Maria! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience. I'm thrilled to hear that you had a magical time exploring the beautiful islands. Visiting in late August sounds perfect—enjoying summer weather with fewer tourists must have made it even more special. It's great to know that I was attentive in helping you find the boat via WhatsApp and that Ricardo was a lovely guide. We'd be delighted to have you join us again anytime! Looking forward to your next adventure with us!
Thendral_A, Aug 2025
Amazing experience and perfectly timed in each stop. Antonio made the whole trip very enjoyable and fun, thank you.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Dear customer! Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback. I'm thrilled to hear you had an amazing experience exploring the islands and that each stop was perfectly timed. It's fantastic that Antonio made the trip enjoyable and fun for you. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to see you again for more memorable adventures!
Justine_H, Aug 2025
We had a great day on Antonio's boat! Very cool sights and loved having time to explore the islands.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Hello Justine! That’s fantastic to hear! I’m so glad you had a great day on Antonio’s boat and enjoyed the cool sights and exploring the islands. It sounds like you had a wonderful adventure, and we’d love to welcome you back anytime for more fun and exploration! 😊
Carol_J, Jun 2025
A boat trip through the lagoon's low lying islets and two islands rewarded with an unexpected dolphin show of leaping and diving. A chance to enjoy nature on a busy holiday or beach getaway. Our guide Ricardo was very informative.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear Carol,
Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! We're so happy to hear that you appreciate all our efforts in order to provide the best experience possible.
We are glad you enjoyed our boat tour and our guide Ricardo, as well as the beautiful Ria Formosa Natural Park and Deserta and Farol islands.
Your kind words mean a lot to our team. We can’t wait to welcome you back soon!
Warm regards Sandra
Anita_N, Jun 2025
Really enjoyable boat ride with visits to 2 islands. Guide was very friendly and got everyone laughing.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear Anita,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're so happy to hear that you enjoyed our boat tour and our guide Antonio, as well as the beautiful Ria Formosa Natural Park and Deserta and Farol islands.
Your kind words mean a lot to our team. We can’t wait to welcome you back soon!
Warm regards Sandra
Isabella_C, May 2025
it was nice to be on the water and see the national park but once we got to the islands (there were 2), no instruction was given on how to spend our hour. The first island (dune island) was very pretty and we went to the restaurant to take it all in, but the second island was so depressing. I think it was because we didn't go in peak season but there still wasnt anything to do or instruction given.
Also, this was NOT on a catamaran. It was a regular boat, which is fine but not what we expected.
Response from Host, May 2025
Dear Isabella, thank you for choosing our company!
Our guides always say to all costumers what they can do on free time on each island. So that didn’t happen for sure.
For me depressing is when I send messages through Whatsapp the day before with useful information and also after the tour I ask how was the tour and the customer reads but doesn’t say anything at all. Which happened in your case.
On that day it was windy and we used other boat that was stronger to face the not so good conditions.
Best regards Sandra
Robyn_F, Apr 2025
A very interesting and relaxing way to discover the Ria Formosa. Friendly guide and boatman Ricardo, explained the wildlife and tides of the area. Island stops were also a plus.
Maud_W, Mar 2025
Very good tour, lots of explanations. Got a bit unlucky with the weather but a good experience overall
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Dear Maud, thank you so much for choosing our company and of course for taking some time to review us! We are so glad we received you on our boat, that you could see the Ria Formosa Natural Park with our guide and discover the islands Deserta and Farol! It was such a pleasure for our team to have you with us! See you next time! Best regards Sandra
Rebecca_Z, Mar 2025
Fun trip with a funny, knowledgable guide! The stops were lovely to explore too, would recommend for all
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Dear Rebecca, thank you so much for choosing our company and of course for taking some time to review us! We are so glad we received you on our boat, that you could see the Ria Formosa Natural Park with our guide and discover the islands Deserta and Farol! It was such a pleasure for our team to have you with us! See you next time! Best regards Sandra
Petra_J, Feb 2025
Great way to experience the nature park da Ria Farmosa. The afternoon trip ended by breath taking sunset.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Dear Petra, thank you so much for choosing our company and of course for taking some time to review us! We are so glad we received you on our boat, that you could see the Ria Formosa Natural Park with our guide and discover the islands Deserta and Farol! It was such a pleasure for our team to have you with us! See you next time! Best regards Sandra
Kelly_O, Oct 2024
This was a wonderful experience. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, and we really enjoyed learning about the ecosystem. The weather was perfect for our stays on the 2 islands; I only wish it had been a longer excursion!
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Dear Kelly, thank you so much for choosing our company and of course for taking some time to review us! We are so glad we received you on our boat, that you could see the Ria Formosa Natural Park with our guide and discover the islands Deserta and Farol! It was such a pleasure for our team to have you with us! See you next time! Best regards Sandra
Nagarajan_C, Oct 2024
No complaints on the guide or the tour operator. The island's weren't that great. There's not much do there and it was not much value added for the time spent there. Didn't see much wild life either may be due to time of the session.
Mauricio_A, Oct 2024
I had an amazing time exploring Rio Formosa and the islands in Faro! The natural beauty of the area is stunning, from the crystal-clear waters to the diverse wildlife. A special shout-out to our tour guide, Antonio, who made the experience unforgettable. His knowledge, passion for the region, and friendly demeanor really enhanced the trip. I highly recommend this tour for anyone visiting Faro!
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Dear Mauricio, thank you so much for choosing our company and of course for taking some time to review us! We are so glad we received you on our boat, that you could see the Ria Formosa Natural Park with our guide and discover the islands Deserta and Farol! It was such a pleasure for our team to have you with us! See you next time! Best regards Sandra
Kim_W, Sep 2024
We visited beautiful islands and had a guide that knows a lot about the area. You can see many different bird species on this trip.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Dear Kim, thank you so much for choosing our company and of course for taking some time to review us! We are so glad we received you on our boat, that you could see the Ria Formosa Natural Park with our guide and discover the islands Deserta and Farol! It was such a pleasure for our team to have you with us! See you next time! Best regards Sandra
From $49.39
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Ria Formosa Natural Park and Islands Boat Cruise from Faro
1,339
4 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$49.39
![From Faro: Benagil Cave, Marinha & Carvoeiro [Full-Day Tour]](https://media.tacdn.com/media/attractions-splice-spp-360x240/10/36/dc/ab.jpg)
