Ria Formosa Islands Hop On Hop Off from Faro: 3 islands, 24 hours

Three islands, hourly boats, and a full day to choose your own pace

A 24-hour hop-on hop-off boat ticket from Faro lets you travel between three barrier islands in the Ria Formosa Natural Park at your own pace. Deserta is the only uninhabited island, a biodiversity hotspot with a restaurant; Farol has the iconic Santa Maria lighthouse and a small fishing community; Culatra is the only year-round inhabited island, with a port, church and school. Boats run hourly between all three, and you pick when to return to Faro.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Barreta Island3h
2. Olhão2h

Explore Ria Formosa barrier islands

• Depart from Faro by boat
• Visit Ilha Deserta and explore nature
• Enjoy Estaminé Restaurant views
• Travel to Ilha do Farol
• See Santa Maria lighthouse and community
• Visit Culatra island fishing port and church
• Walk 30 minutes to Culatra beach
• Return to Faro at chosen time

The experience

The boat circuit departs Faro and runs hourly to each of the three islands, giving you the freedom to spend as long as you want on each one. Your 24-hour ticket covers all trips until you return to Faro, so you can island-hop on whatever schedule suits the day. Skippers are on board to answer questions and point out what you're seeing as you travel.

Deserta, the only uninhabited barrier island in the park, is a hotspot for birds, plants, chameleons and other wildlife that has been protected for years. The island has Estaminé Restaurant, which sits in the quiet and serves local food with views across the water. Farol takes its name from the Santa Maria lighthouse, a landmark fishermen have used for generations. It has a small community that gathers on weekends and holidays. Culatra is different. It's the only island with year-round residents, and the real draw is the fishing port, the church, the island school and the life of the community itself. A 30-minute walk takes you to the beach.

You'll need to arrange your own way to the Faro departure point and bring food and drinks for the day, since the boat itself carries no café. The ticket covers all fees and taxes, and infants can travel in a pram or stroller.

What’s included

• All fees and taxes are included in your ticket.
• a skipper is on board each trip to guide you and answer questions about what you're seeing.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 10:30, the last at 14:30

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (5 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 17 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Animaris Ilha Deserta

Is this one for you?The guides speak English, Spanish and French, so you can follow the commentary in your language as you travel. The hourly schedule means you're not locked into a fixed itinerary. You choose how long to stay on each island and when to head back to Faro.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Deserta Island like when I get there?

Deserta is uninhabited and kept pristine, making it a hotspot for biodiversity. You'll see birds, plants, chameleons and crustaceans. Estaminé Restaurant sits on the island surrounded by quiet, offering local food and panoramic views over the water and lagoon.

How often do the boats run between the islands?

Boats depart hourly from each of the three islands, so you can plan your day around the schedule and spend as much or as little time on each one as you want.

Can I visit all three islands in one day?

Yes. Your 24-hour ticket covers all trips between Deserta, Farol and Culatra, so you can hop between them on the hourly schedule and return to Faro whenever you choose within the 24 hours.

What is there to do on Culatra Island?

Culatra is the only island with permanent residents, so you can walk through the fishing port, visit the church and island school, and experience the community. A 30-minute walk takes you to the beach if you want to swim.

What does the Farol lighthouse look like?

Farol Island is named after the Santa Maria lighthouse, an iconic landmark that has guided fishermen for generations. The island has a small community that gathers on weekends and holidays.