
Boat Tour to Desert Island at The Ria Formosa
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 7 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Boat Tour to Desert Island at The Ria Formosa worth booking?
Boat Tour to Desert Island at The Ria Formosa is a 3-hour experience in Faro, Portugal, from $12 per person. It scores 65 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 7 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 65 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (7)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $12 per person
A boat tour that respects the high environmental interest of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, allowing you to enjoy the surroundings - fauna and flora, sheltered waters, natural inlet with sandbanks and deserted sand dunes
What you get
About this experience
A boat tour that respects the high environmental interest of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, allowing you to enjoy the surroundings - fauna and flora, sheltered waters, natural inlet with sandbanks and deserted sand dunes and beaches.
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- Use of binoculars
- Use of snorkeling equipment
Not included
- Towels
What you'll see and do
Ilha Deserta
The navigation channels of the Ria Formosa are subject to tides, so we cruise to Desert Island via alternative routes depending on the tide. At high tide, we access the western tip of the island, its most ‘wildest’ part ‘The Sun's Edge’. At low tide, the tour heads to the eastern end of the island, where the Faro-Olhão inlet is located, the privileged access point to the Ria Formosa from the sea. This is also where the prestigious Estaminé restaurant and the well-known Shell Beach are located. In this version, the boat stops at the easternmost point of Ilha Deserta and also at Vila do Farol 'Lighhouse Village' - Culatra Island.
30 minutes here
At Praia de Faro or “Ilha de Faro”, there will be a timely stop to set foot on dry land, where you can have an ice-cream or simply take a look at the sea, which is just a stone's throw away.
15 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Faro
At the end of the jetty you'll find our catamaran - The Algarvian Queen.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
At the end of the jetty you'll find our catamaran - The Algarvian Queen.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- pt, en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Ria Formosa Boat Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 7 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
7 verified traveler reviews for Boat Tour to Desert Island at The Ria Formosa. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
BEST TOUR EVER!
It was an AMAZING day. It was a relaxing boat tour, just what I needed to get away. Completely submersed in nature, the Ria Formosa Natural Park it is just the perfect place to become one with nature! I simply loved it!
via Tripadvisor
Great Experience, recommended.
It was a fantastic scenario. I saw lots of birds and the crew were very professional and informative. All in all, I had a wonderful tour and would highly recommend it.
via Tripadvisor
Sunset Tour of Ria Formosa
Paulo (owner) and Bruno were exceptional guides. This was our first trip to the Ria Formosa and we will definitely book another tour soon. Amazing. The sunset was lovely -- and it was fascinating to learn about the Park and its efforts to maintain both plant and animal sea life. 10/10. Relaxing, educational, and BEAUTIFUL.
via Tripadvisor
Quiet and very nice experience!
It was really an incredibly great experience! The two gentlemen who led the tour were very friendly and humorous and told interesting facts about the nature&area. We stopped on a desert island for a short but worthwhile swim and exploration stop and later again in Faro Beach Side. The nature was very beautiful and the boat quiet and pleasant. We can wholeheartedly recommend this tour.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
A fantastic experience!
The boat is very comfortable, the crew very friendly, always available and familiar with Ria Formosa. Enjoyed the walk and the peaceful climate that provided us aboard, ADOREI!
Response from the operator: Olá! Muito obrigado pelo seu testemunho, foi um prazer tê-los a bordo. Trabalhamos com o objetivo de proporcionar aos nossos clientes a melhor experiência possível. Ficámos satisfeitos por ter desfrutado de um clima tranquilo a bordo, temos essa preocupação uma vez que essa é a melhor forma de tirar partido de um passeio na Ria Formosa. Estamos sempre ao seu dispor.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
- Price range
- $12 to $45
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 65
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Boat Tour to Desert Island at The Ria Formosa: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Faro.
How much does Boat Tour to Desert Island at The Ria Formosa cost?
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Prices start at $12 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Faro usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Boat Tour to Desert Island at The Ria Formosa take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Faro is not rushed.
Is Boat Tour to Desert Island at The Ria Formosa worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 65 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 7 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Faro, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Boat Tour to Desert Island at The Ria Formosa?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Boat Tour to Desert Island at The Ria Formosa suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Boat Tour to Desert Island at The Ria Formosa?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Faro can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Faro and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Boat Tour to Desert Island at The Ria Formosa start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Faro within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Faro?
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On Outty we rank every Faro experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Ria Formosa - Boat trip to the 3 Islands: Armona | Culatra Island | Lighthouse, From Faro: Benagil Cave, Marinha & Carvoeiro [Full-Day Tour], Ria Formosa Natural Park and Islands Boat Cruise from Faro. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Faro?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Faro?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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