Ria Formosa Islands: Explore at Your Own Pace

Experience the freedom of exploring Ria Formosa’s barrier islands at your own pace with Faro Island Hopping. Hop on and off the boat circuit, visit multiple islands, and choose your own schedule. Discover the beauty of the Natural Park on your own terms!

Duration: 1 day
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Animaris Ilha Deserta Boat Tours - Ilha Deserta is one of the 5 barrier islands in the Ria Formosa Natural Park, and the only uninhabited.
    The shape of Deserta looks like an arrow pointing south, between the Atlantic Ocean and Ria Formosa. The island has been kept pristine for many years, and today still surprises. From birds, to plants and…
What's Included
  • All applicable fees and taxes included
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information

Embark on a self-guided tour of the barrier islands in Ria Formosa. Starting from Faro, enjoy the boat route taking you to the islands within the Natural Park. Traverse between these islands freely, utilizing any of the scheduled trips. Your ticket is good for 24 hours, lasting until your return trip to Faro.
What is the process of the Hop On Hop Off…

Location
Cais das Portas do Mar
Rua da Porta Nova
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(50 Ratings)
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1 star
Romanea998
Dec 6, 2024
Great. - Great sunset tour with Joachim! Very professional and speaks super good French. Thank you very much for visiting. On top 👍🏽
Review provided by Tripadvisor
113bdw
Oct 9, 2024
Great day ! - My husband and I went on the Hop on Hop off 3 island boat tour which we really enjoyed. Such a fun and easy way to explore these islands while in Faro. João Fernandes was very helpful and informative when we purchased our tickets from him. Would highly recommend this excursion !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Estelarm8336yu
Oct 1, 2024
Beautiful walk around the islands of Ria Formosa - We are Estela and Juan from Argentina. We did the walk to the islands of Ria Formosa with Animaris and it has been wonderful. Great beaches, mountains and sea. We start with Culatra Island, then Lantern and finally Desert Island. I must emphasize that Tomas has been the best Guide and Driver we have ever met. He has a lot of knowledge about the Ria environment. He can transmit them and explain them in many languages. It is a pleasure to meet such people with such enthusiasm and dedication to their work. Congratulations to TOMAS. He has also been very kind to call Tomas to approach Desert Island and take us back, another of the young men who drive the boats whom I do not know if I name. Congratulations also to him, so gentleman!!!! Thanks for letting us know this beautiful place!!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ineslx3221wj
May 4, 2024
Boat ride to islands - The organisation is very good. Also the lady on the front desk was very nice and helpeful. She answered all my questions and helped me to pick the right ride. Also the skippers are good and nice.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Laryssa_m
Dec 8, 2023
Such a beautiful... - Such a beautiful experience. Very friendly and helpful staffs. A good way to go to all the three islands.
Review provided by Viator
V2699yymarieg
Nov 26, 2023
Exciting ! - A pleasant getaway in the company of Thomas, super knowledgeable about ecosystems and very invested 🤩Recommended visit.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
680dalindab
Oct 9, 2023
Great outing - We have the boat's schedule and we are free to stay as long as we want on the islands. Desert Island is really good! Go eat on Culatra Island before 3 p.m.!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shaoquan_l
Mar 23, 2024
A easy transportation from Faro to its nearby islands. - This gives you a easy way to visit the different islands spots near Faro. You just plan your time yourself, follow the time schedule of the shuttle boat and visit 3 spots and return back to Faro. You can decide which place you would like to say longer. You have the freedom.
Review provided by Viator
Garnett40
Nov 3, 2024
Great boat ride but not sure the islands are worth visiting in late October - The boat ride itself was great and going at speed over the water was exhilarating. You do want to think of a coat if the weather is not very warm as it can be colder over the water. I am not convinced the trip is worth it as we were not impressed with the islands out of season. A shorter boat ride with a naturalist may have been better
Review provided by Tripadvisor
294ariannaf
Aug 8, 2024
Shameful. - Hike to Farol beach very suggestive, we were really good. So far so good. SHAME about the return, scheduled for 19:30. My friend and I showed up at the pick up point at 19:22 to see the dinghy, which was supposed to take us back to Faro, put out to sea without us. We therefore had to pay for a taxi boat at our expense to return to the modest figure of 50 €, otherwise we would have slept in the kiosk of Farol beach. Shameful and unserious (in case you didn't understand)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 10 guests
1 Adult
December 2024
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