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Faro: Ria Formosa Catamaran Tour with Ilha Deserta & Farol

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1/14

Duration3h

GroupUp to 11

LanguagesEN · PT +2

Mobile ticketAccepted

Catamaran journey from Faro through Ria Formosa’s islands with local stops

You’ll set off from Faro by catamaran into Ria Formosa’s shifting waterways, walk wild sands on Ilha Deserta, wander Farol Island’s quiet village streets beside locals, and catch glimpses of daily life most travelers miss. With a small group and live guide commentary throughout, expect moments of calm—and maybe a little surprise at how much space there is to breathe out here.

Step-by-step itinerary

Check in at Nautical Club of Faro
Board catamaran for Ria Formosa trip
Explore Ilha Deserta beach and walk
Walk around Farol Island village and lighthouse
Admire Santa Maria Cape beach
Return trip through Ria Formosa Natural Park
Enjoy views of old town Faro
Disembark at tour end

The Experience

We met just outside the Ginásio Clube Naval de Faro — I was early, but our guide Rui was already chatting with a couple from Porto and somehow made everyone feel like we’d known each other for ages. The catamaran felt sturdy but open to the breeze; you could smell salt and sunscreen before we even left the dock. As we pulled away from Faro, Rui started pointing out birds I’d never have noticed (I’m still not sure how he spotted that tiny egret). The water in Ria Formosa is this odd green-blue — not tropical exactly, more like glass with bits of silver where the sun hits.

First stop: Ilha Deserta. Rui called it Barreta — he said locals just use both names, which confused me at first. We had about half an hour to wander or swim. I tried walking barefoot along the sand and it was softer than I expected, almost powdery but with little shells everywhere. There’s nothing built here except one lonely restaurant way off in the dunes; mostly it’s wind and seaweed smells and a kind of hush you don’t get on mainland beaches. I didn’t swim (water looked cold), but some brave kid did and his dad cheered him on in Portuguese.

Back on board, we headed to Farol Island. This place has actual houses — whitewashed walls, blue doors, laundry flapping everywhere. It felt lived-in but sleepy; a fisherman waved at us as we passed by the lighthouse. Rui told me this is the southernmost point of Portugal (I googled later — he was right). We walked all the way down to where sand meets ocean again, and you could see Spain faintly across the haze if you squinted. On the way back someone asked about moving here full-time — Rui laughed and said winters are lonelier than people think.

The ride back to Faro was quieter; maybe everyone was tired or just letting it all sink in. You can see the old town rising up behind the marina as you come in — tiled roofs catching late sun, gulls circling overhead. I kept thinking about that empty stretch of sand on Deserta and how weirdly peaceful it felt out there with nothing but wind for company.

What’s included

Your day includes a three-hour catamaran ride from Faro led by a local guide with live commentary throughout.
Life vests are provided for everyone onboard.
You’ll have about an hour to explore Farol Island’s village streets plus up to half an hour wandering or relaxing on Ilha Deserta before returning by boat along Ria Formosa’s winding channels.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Formosamar