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Duration

2 Hours

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

18 people

Languages

English, Español, Français, Português

About this tour

  1. Our 2-hour boat trip with two stops of 20 to 25 minutes on the islands of Armona and Culatra is an excellent way to explore the Ria Formosa and enjoy the stunning scenery and tranquillity of the islands.

The tour starts from the port of Olhão, a charming town in the Algarve, known for its fishing port and proximity to the Ria Formosa islands.

At the start of the trip, you can relax and admire the views of the city of Olhão while sailing along the calm waters of the Ria Formosa. On board, you will be informed about the region's ecosystem and the environmental importance of the Ria Formosa, a natural park with a rich biodiversity.

1. First stop: Ilha da Armona (25 minutes)

First of all, we'll visit Armona Island, which is one of the main destinations in the Ria Formosa. After approximately 20 minutes of sailing, the boat will make its first stop, so you'll have 25 minutes to explore the island.

What to do on the island of Armona :

  • Relax on the beaches: The island has beautiful white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. Take the opportunity to sunbathe, swim or simply walk along the beach.
  • Explore the vegetation and trails: The island is quiet and has some areas of wild vegetation. It is therefore ideal for a quick stroll or to relax and enjoy nature.
  • Photography: The natural scenery of Ilha da Armona offers many opportunities to take spectacular photos, whether of the beaches, the dunes or the surrounding landscape.
2. Sailing to Culatra Island

After the visit to Armona Island, the boat will continue to Culatra Island, which is relatively close by. Along the way, you can observe the local fauna and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the Ria Formosa. The island is famous for its relaxed atmosphere and beaches.

3. Second Stop: Culatra Island (25 minutes)

Arriving at Culatra Island, the boat will make a second 25-minute stop, allowing you to explore the island and its fishing village .

What to do on Culatra Island:

  • Visit the village: Culatra Island has a small fishing village with simple houses and quiet streets. You can stroll through the streets, get to know the life of the local fishermen and even do some shopping in small markets or souvenir stores.
  • Praia da Culatra: If you prefer, you can hang out on the small beach by the Ria Formosa and relax by the sea. Culatra beach is known for its calm waters.
  • Photographing the landscape: The island offers an excellent opportunity to capture the natural beauty of the Algarve, with its coastline, dunes and vegetation.
4. Return to Olhão

After the second stop on Culatra Island, the boat will head back to Olhão. On the way back, you can relax and enjoy the last views of the Ria Formosa, with the possibility of spotting more birds or, if you prefer, simply enjoy the calm atmosphere of the region.

What's more, this boat trip with Odyssey Boat Tours is undoubtedly an excellent way to explore the islands of the Ria Formosa in a comfortable and enjoyable way. This way, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy the best that lush nature and the rich local culture have to offer, creating a unique and unforgettable experience .

Important information about the tour :
  • Duration: The tour lasts a total of 2 hours, with 25-minute stops on each island(Armona and Culatra).
  • Reservations: It is advisable to book in advance directly with Odyssey Boat Tours, especially during the high season.
  • Guide: The tour is often guided, with information on the history, fauna and flora of the Ria Formosa, making the experience even more enriching.
Good to know:
  • The order of the stops can be changed according to the weather and the tides!
  • During the planned stops, customers are free to do whatever activities they wish.
  • Choose between a shared or private excursion.
  • Arrive 15 to 20 minutes early at the meeting point.

Don't forget to always check the weather for that day before booking your boat trip in the Ria Formosa. Contact us if you have any questions. See all our other tours here.

Highlights

  • Discover the rich biodiversity of the Ria Formosa Natural Park
  • Learn about the history of the park and its islands from your experienced captain
  • Choose between a shared small-group or private tour
  • Discover the beautiful deserted beaches of the islands and discover the island of Culatra
  • Travel in small groups of 11 or 18 people
  • Your guide will explain the Ria Formosa and the Islands and help you with everything you need
  • Discover magnificent beaches with white sand and crystal-clear waters, islands and communities
  • Admire the nature of the Ria Formosa and its fauna and flora
  • You'll learn more about fishing techniques, customs and traditions

Included/Excluded

  • Boat trip
  • Boat with shade
  • Local guide fluent in 4 languages
  • First aid kit
  • Water
  • Life jacket
  • Local map of islands and birds
  • Lunch
  • Drinks

Tour Length

2H00

Group Size

0 - 11
0 - 18

Tour Type

Group Tour

Languages

English
Español
French
Portuguese

Frequently asked questions

During the boat trip you won't feel seasick, as we only sail inside the Ria Formosa, which is protected by barrier islands. 

No. Lunch is always on your own. There are several options for lunch: have lunch in one of the local restaurants (there are more than 10 on Culatra Island), buy something quick (hamburgers, pizzas) and take it to the beach or bring a picnic.

Lunch takes place on Culatra Island, where we stop for 2 hours and clients are free to choose or follow the recommendation of the captain, who can make the reservation for you if you wish.

We have boats for 11 and 18 people, where we usually organize according to languages, to have a maximum of 2 languages per boat.

Yes, in most establishments it is possible, but we always recommend taking cash with you, as there is no way to withdraw money on the islands.

Yes, this boat trip is always made through the interior of the Ria Formosa and whenever the weather conditions allow it.

You can receive a full refund up to 24 hours before the activity.

Yes, our tours always depend on the weather conditions. Contact us to find out the best day to book your tour.

All ages are welcome on the excursions. However, women who are more than three months pregnant are not allowed to take part. People with reduced mobility can also take part in the boat trip as long as they are able to move around enough to go up and down the stairs on the island quays and get on and off the boat.

Yes, preferably the day before. In the case of summer we always recommend 2 or more days, but you can always try on the day if we still have availability.

If you prefer, you can make a reservation in advance with a restaurant of your choice, or follow the captain's recommendation.

We recommend low tide to see the nurseries, sandbanks and more nature, but any tide allows us to carry out our excursion.

In winter/autumn, we recommend the morning. In summer, we recommend late afternoon to avoid the crowds and to make the day less hot.

Comfortable clothes, towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, flip-flops, money. Remember to charge your cell phone and/or camera.

Tour's Location

From: €25,00

Why book with us?

  • Small Groups

    Small Groups

    Our boats hold up to 11 and 18 people, travel in small groups

  • Excellent quality

    Excellent quality

    We offer excellent quality to our clients and have excellent skippers with years of experience and 4 languages,

  • Excellent reviews

    Excellent reviews

    More than 6000 reviews on all platforms, with an average rating of 4.9 on a scale of 1 to 5.

Owner

odysseytours

Member Since 2025

Information Contact

Email

info@odysseytours.pt

Website

www.odysseytours.pt

Phone

+351 938 555 612