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Duration

2 Hours 30 Minutes

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

18 people

Languages

English, Español, Français, Português

About this tour

Embark on a unique and unforgettable experience through the Ria Formosa, one of Portugal's most beautiful and protected natural areas. Explore Culatra Island and Armona Island or Praia Deserta on this sunset boat trip along the Ria Formosa. Spend some time visiting the fishermen's island, swim at a deserted beach or visit Armona Island and admire a beautiful sunset on the return trip. Travel in small groups of up to 18 people.

Your guide will explain the Ria Formosa and the islands to you throughout the boat trip and will help you with everything you need. During the stops, all the clients are free, during the time stipulated by the captain. During the boat trip you won't feel seasick, because we only sail inside the Ria Formosa.

  • Culatra Island

First of all, stop off at Culatra Island for around 45 minutes to visit this incredible fishing community. Culatra has around 1000 people living on this fishing island all year round, where fishing has been the predominant business on the island for many generations. There are 2 schools, 1 church, 1 soccer team, several restaurants, cafés and souvenir and handicraft stores. There is a bakery with its own production that makes delicious cakes that leave our customers surprised by the authentic taste of the cakes.

  • Deserted Beach

Next, if it's summer, we'll head to Praia Deserta. You will immediately be enveloped by the breathtaking landscape of golden sand, crystal-clear waters and the natural vegetation that surrounds the coast. This beach is known for its absolute peace, far from the crowds, which makes it ideal for those looking to relax, take an invigorating dip or simply enjoy the beauty of the place. The calm, transparent water invites you to take a refreshing dip, while the fine sand is perfect for a relaxing walk by the sea.

It's a beach that can only be reached by boat, so it's always more deserta than the beaches on the islands. In this paradisiacal location, the white sand and crystal-clear water make this beach one of the most desirable in the whole of the Algarve and the best stop on this tour.

This stop is a unique opportunity to escape the fast pace and enjoy the pure , wild beauty of Culatra Island. Although only a short time, the tranquillity of this place will remain etched in your memory, making it one of the most memorable moments of your journey along the Ria Formosa. Discover the deserted beach and enjoy the tranquillity of the surroundings.

  • Armona Island

If the weather is windy, cold or it's winter, we'll swap the deserted beach for the wonderful Ilha da Armona! In this situation, this charming island is inhabited all year round by locals and tourists alike. It's the perfect place for a stroll along the coast, where you can admire the flowers and gardens of the houses, many of which are available to rent during the summer. In addition, around the island, there is a lovely beach facing the Ria Formosa, with seaside cafés, ideal for a break with a drink or a meal while you explore the area. During the tour, we will stop for 30 to 45 minutes so that you can enjoy the peaceful and unique surroundings .

On this tour, you'll enjoy a combination of several incredible experiences, discovering white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, islands and communities. In addition, you will be able to appreciate the rich nature of the Ria Formosa, with its fauna and flora. You'll also have the chance to taste the local gastronomy and typical dishes from the island and the region. What's more, you'll learn about fishing techniques, customs and traditions along the way, making this a complete experience. In this way, you will not only learn more about the region, but also enjoy an unforgettable boat trip.

What to expect :
  • The sunset over the Ria Formosa creates a spectacular palette of colors, with shades of orange, red, pink and yellow reflected in the calm waters of the Ria.
  • The islands of the Ria Formosa, such as Culatra Island and Armona Island, offer theperfect panoramic view, especially to enjoy at the end of the day.
What to take :
  • Suitable clothing for the weather
  • Sunscreen
  • Towel
  • Swimsuit (summer)
  • Shoes suitable for the climate
Good to know:
  • The order of the stops can be changed according to the weather and the tides!
  • This excursion is not recommended for pregnant women or people with very reduced mobility (due to the stops at Ilha do Farol , Armona and Praia Deserta ).
  • During the planned stops, participants can carry out any activities they wish
  • Choose between a shared or private tour
  • You can bring your own lunch or eat at a local restaurant
  • Arrive 15 to 20 minutes early at the meeting point.
  • See our Before You Book
  • See our page on the Meeting Point

Don't forget to always check the weather for that day before booking your tour. See all our other tours here.

Highlights

  • Admire a magnificent sunset at Ria Formosa
  • Enjoy fewer crowds on the islands in the afternoon
  • Discover the rich biodiversity of the Ria Formosa Natural Park
  • Learn about the history of the park and its islands from your experienced captain
  • Walk along the white sandy beaches and learn about this unique flora and fauna
  • 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
  • A super complete tour to get to know the region and enjoy a wonderful boat trip

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

3h00

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: €30,00

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