Boat trip from Faro to Ilha Deserta by Ferry in Faro
Faro, Portugal

Boat trip from Faro to Ilha Deserta by Ferry

Outty Ranking 69 4.4 · 107 traveler reviews1 hoursFrom $12

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September 2026

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Who is going?

Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$12
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Outty Ranking

69/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.4/5

Based on 107 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Boat trip from Faro to Ilha Deserta by Ferry worth booking?

Boat trip from Faro to Ilha Deserta by Ferry is a 1-hour experience in Faro, Portugal, from $12 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 107 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
69 / 100
Rating
4.4/5 (107)
Duration
1 hours
From
$12 per person

The Ferry boat departs from Faro in direction to Ilha Deserta, taking 45 minutes through Ria Formosa Natural Park. Admire panoramic views over the beautiful natural scenery, flora and fauna. Explore Ilha Deserta, a uniq

What you get

    About this experience

    The Ferry boat departs from Faro in direction to Ilha Deserta, taking 45 minutes through Ria Formosa Natural Park. Admire panoramic views over the beautiful natural scenery, flora and fauna. Explore Ilha Deserta, a unique deserted island, where you can stay all day long if you want. Enjoy free time to relax, sunbathe at your leisure, or taste the algarvian cuisine at Estaminé restaurant. We can adjust the time of your return ferry (depending on availability). You can enjoy this service every day, all year round. Get your ticket online to avoid queues.

    What's included

    Included

    • All taxes, fees, and handling charges

    Not included

    • Food and drinks
    • Lunch
    • Gratuities
    • Hotel pickup and drop-off
    • Guide

    What you'll see and do

    1. Animaris Ilha Deserta

      Pier - Departure

      240 minutes here

    2. Animaris Ilha Deserta

      Pier - Arrival

      240 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Faro

    Also know as "Cais da Porta Nova". You'll find our staff dressed in yellow shirts.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Also know as "Cais da Porta Nova". You'll find our staff dressed in yellow shirts.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    pt, en, fr, es
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Animaris Ilha Deserta

    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
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult
    • May be operated by a multi-lingual service

    Photos

    Ferry arriving to Ilha DesertaEstaminé Restaurant in Ilha DesertaSanta Maria Boardwalk - southernmost point in PortugalCape Saint Mary - southernmost point in PortugalIlha Deserta - FaroOur fleet

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 106 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    3 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Traveler reviews

    106 verified traveler reviews for Boat trip from Faro to Ilha Deserta by Ferry. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    68
    4 star
    23
    3 star
    11
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    4
    Sort
    aitanag427 · June 2026

    Amazing service

    Great service and great people, would completely recommend and would happily come back!

    Response from the operator: Hello, Thank you so much for your kind words! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed both our service and our team. Your recommendation means a lot to us. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon!

    via Tripadvisor

    Margaret_J · May 2026

    Marooned on Deserta Island!

    Make sure you plan your ferries as absolutely nothing to do and no toilets or cafe just a loop boardwalk around most of the island which is okay (leads to a pile of rubbish) but not really swimming weather when we went (mid May) and bugger all else to do unless you’re a naturist or a naturalist!

    Response from the operator: Hello, Thank you for your feedback, but there are a few important clarifications that might help future visitors plan their trip more realistically. First, the ferry service does have onboard toilets available for passengers, so visitors are not without facilities during the crossing. Once on the island, there is also the restaurant Estaminé, which is open to all visitors and provides free toilet facilities. The restaurant also has a terrace area where guests can sit outside and enjoy the views. Regarding the “pile of rubbish” you mentioned, that is actually the iconic marker "Cabo de Santa Maria" which is recognized as the southernmost point of mainland Portugal. The island is part of the protected Ria Formosa Natural Park, and it is intentionally kept very natural. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again under better conditions, and that your next visit allows you to experience more of what the island has to offer.

    via Viator

    claire b · April 2026

    Check your tickets! Drivers rude tour guide fab

    Mixed review, Thomas was excellent, lots of information giving in a really entertaining way 5* But when we tried to board to come back we had real issues! One boat wouldn’t let us depart at the other islands, so we stayed for lunch which was amazing! And the second boat all the same company wouldn’t take us either! This was because it stopping at the other islands, but didn’t realise to already departed so took us back! The staff was very rude. Even though others from our first trip were on this boat! The frustrating issue was we had asked for the island hopping ticket as well as the eco tour, so have no idea why we can’t. Very frustrating to what was an excellent start with guide Thomas

    Response from the operator: Dear Claire, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re really pleased to hear that Thomas made such a positive impression and that you enjoyed the tour and lunch on the island. However, we are very sorry to hear about the difficulties you experienced when trying to board the return boats and the frustration this caused. This is not the level of service we aim to provide, and we understand how disappointing it must have been, especially after such a great start to your day. The situation you describe regarding the island hopping and eco tour tickets sounds like a misunderstanding, and we would really like the opportunity to look into this properly and clarify what happened. We appreciate your feedback as it helps us improve. Kind regards,

    via Tripadvisor

    Steve O · April 2026

    1h boat birdwatching trip

    Had great and very informative boat trip hosted by Thomas. He was extremely knowledgeable, funny and engaged the whole family. Highly recommended

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear you had a great and informative boat trip with Thomas. His knowledge, humor, and ability to engage guests of all ages truly make the experience memorable. It means a lot to know your whole family enjoyed it. We really appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you back again soon :)

    via Tripadvisor

    Catherine_P · March 2026

    Great value - beautiful experience

    Gorgeous location and the beaches were nearly deserted Easy to locate pickup and many departures on both sides made it a perfect day

    Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the beautiful surroundings and the peaceful, uncrowded beaches. It’s also great to know that you found the pickup location easy to find and that the flexible departure options helped make your day even more convenient. We hope to welcome to you again soon!

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    1 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    37
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Why this scores 69

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)61
    Review evidence (18% weight)69
    Booking momentum (14% weight)64
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)77
    Local standing (8% weight)14
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Boat trip from Faro to Ilha Deserta by Ferry: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Faro.

    How much does Boat trip from Faro to Ilha Deserta by Ferry cost?

    +

    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 trip from Faro to Ilha Deserta by Ferry take?

    +

    Plan for about 1 hour 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 trip from Faro to Ilha Deserta by Ferry worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 107 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Faro, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Boat trip from Faro to Ilha Deserta by Ferry?

    +

    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 trip from Faro to Ilha Deserta by Ferry suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Boat trip from Faro to Ilha Deserta by Ferry?

    +

    Around 37 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?

    +

    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 1-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Boat trip from Faro to Ilha Deserta by Ferry start and how do I get there?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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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