From Faro: 2-Island, 2-Stop Ria Formosa Catamaran Tour

The best part of this Faro boat trip is that it gets you onto two very different islands in one morning or afternoon. Deserta Island gives you open beach and sea air, while Farol offers a small island community gathered around a lighthouse. You spend roughly 45 minutes at each stop, so the pace is easy, but not leisurely.

I like the small-group format, listed for up to 10 people, and the chance to see Ria Formosa from the water rather than from a road or city viewpoint. I also like the multilingual local guiding, especially if you want some context about tides, birds, and shellfish gathering. The main drawback is simple: this is more of an island transfer with sightseeing than a full nature cruise, and some people find the island stops too short.

Key points at a glance

• Two islands in three hours: Visit Deserta Island and Farol Island without arranging separate boat trips.
• A real beach stop: You get 45 minutes on Deserta for a walk, photographs, or a swim.
• Lighthouse and local life: Farol Island offers a different scene, with its lighthouse and holiday community.
• Tide-shaped return route: The way back through Ria Formosa can look different as the water level changes.
• Small-group guiding: The experience is offered in English, Portuguese, French, and Spanish.
• Good value at $41: The price is fair if you want transport, guiding, and two island visits in one compact outing.

Leaving Faro through Ria Formosa

The tour begins at Cais de Embarque da Porta Nova, Faro’s Porta Nova boarding pier. You meet the skipper there rather than being collected from your hotel, so allow time to reach the departure point on your own.

Once aboard, the boat heads into Ria Formosa Natural Park. This is not simply a straight ride out to the ocean. The route passes through shallow channels and changing tidal water, with the guide pointing out the park’s natural features and resident birds.

The park is especially interesting because it is shaped by water. Sandbars, channels, islands, and mudflats change with the tide, and the return trip can show you a noticeably different view from the outward journey. At low tide, you might see shellfish gatherers working the exposed areas.

Keep your sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, and water close. There is little reason to stay indoors on a trip like this, and the sun can feel strong even when the boat is moving.

The advertised boat is a comfortable catamaran, though you should keep your expectations practical. One recent departure reportedly carried 12 people on a boat intended for 10, which made seating tighter than expected. That may not happen on every trip, but it is worth knowing if personal space matters to you.

Deserta Island and its open beach

The first island stop is Praia da Ilha Deserta, also called Deserta Island. The island is known for its long beach, with about 11 kilometers of sand at the southernmost point of mainland Portugal.

You have about 45 minutes here. That is enough time for a short walk, photographs, or a quick swim, but not enough for a long beach outing. If swimming is your priority, change quickly and keep your belongings organized. If you prefer walking, use the time to feel the difference between Faro’s urban waterfront and this exposed Atlantic shore.

Deserta is the more natural-feeling stop of the two. The appeal is not a long list of attractions. It is the broad beach, the open horizon, and the sense that you have reached the outer edge of the lagoon system.

The short stop is also the main weakness. A 45-minute visit can feel rushed if you want to swim, walk, and relax. I would choose one main goal before you arrive. Pick swimming if the water and weather are right, or take a walk if you want to see more of the shoreline.

The tour includes life jackets and masks for swimming, though food and drinks are not included. Bring your own water, and do not count on this trip as a beach day with hours of free time.

Passing Cape St. Mary

After Deserta, the boat passes Cape St. Mary, the southernmost point of mainland Portugal. This is a short scenic section, listed at about 15 minutes.

There is no long stop here, so treat it as a viewpoint from the water rather than an attraction you will explore on foot. It helps connect the two island visits and gives you another angle on the coastline.

The exact feel of this section depends on the tide and weather. Since the route is water-based, conditions can change the motion of the boat and the clarity of the views. Tours are subject to weather conditions, and the operator can only run the trip when conditions are suitable.

Farol Island and its lighthouse

The second stop is Ilha do Farol, a former fishing island that now has a holiday community gathered around its lighthouse. You get another 45 minutes here for walking, photographs, swimming, and local snacks.

Farol feels different from Deserta. Deserta is about beach and space. Farol gives you signs of island life, along with the lighthouse that gives the place its name. You can walk through the community, take photographs, and get a quick sense of how the island functions as both a lived-in place and a summer destination.

The stop remains short, so you will not have time for a slow, detailed exploration. If you want to see the lighthouse, make that your first aim. You can then use any remaining minutes for a swim or a snack.

Some people find Farol less attractive than Deserta, especially if they prefer undeveloped beach. I would not book this trip expecting two remote wilderness stops. The contrast is the point: one island is mainly shoreline, while the other offers a community and a landmark.

The two stops also make the tour easier to enjoy if your interests differ from those of your companions. One person can walk, another can swim, and another can look around the island settlement. Just keep an eye on the meeting time, since 45 minutes passes quickly.

A guided nature trip, but not a bird-watching cruise

The tour includes a guided route through Ria Formosa, with wildlife viewing and scenic views on both the outward and return legs. You might see resident birds and, in suitable conditions, shellfish gatherers working the tidal flats.

That said, I would not choose this outing as a dedicated bird-watching expedition. The main purpose is reaching Deserta and Farol, with nature viewing along the way. Several comments about the experience point to this distinction: it works well as a scenic crossing with island stops, but it may disappoint you if you expect a long, slow tour focused mainly on lagoon wildlife.

The guide is an important part of the experience. The skipper and guide are local professionals, and the tour is available in Spanish, English, French, and Portuguese. The guide has also been praised for being friendly, pleasant, and capable, with French-language help especially useful for French-speaking visitors.

There is no named guide listed for this departure, so you cannot request a particular person. What you can expect is live guidance during the boat ride rather than an unguided transfer.

The return route changes with the tide

The trip back to Faro follows a different scene because the tide has shifted. This is one of the more interesting details of the outing. Ria Formosa is not a fixed watery road, and its channels and exposed areas look different as the water rises and falls.

Use the return ride to watch the banks, sandbars, and bird areas rather than treating it as dead time. You may notice shellfish gatherers more clearly at low tide, while higher water can make the channels appear wider and more open.

A few people have reported seeing dolphins, though that is not a promised part of the tour. Think of wildlife sightings as a possible bonus, not something to book the trip around.

The boat ride itself is a major part of the three hours. If you enjoy being on the water, looking at changing views, and listening to local explanation, the route adds value. If you want maximum time on land, the two 45-minute stops may seem too brief.

Is $41 a fair price?

At $41 per person, the tour offers a reasonably priced way to visit two islands from Faro. You get a three-hour outing, a professional skipper, live guiding, life jackets, and masks for swimming. You also avoid arranging separate island transport or deciding which destination to choose.

The value depends on what you want from the day. For a compact introduction to Deserta, Farol, and Ria Formosa, the price is sensible. You see two islands and get a guided ride through the park in one booking.

The price is less attractive if you want a full beach day or a specialist nature trip. You pay for movement between places, not several hours at one beach. Food and drinks are extra, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

The advertised small-group size is another part of the value. A maximum of 10 people should make the guide’s comments easier to hear and the boat less crowded than a large excursion vessel. Since one departure was reported as carrying 12 people, confirm the group arrangement if the small-group promise is central to your decision.

Who will enjoy this Faro catamaran trip?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a short, active outing from Faro with several kinds of scenery. It suits people who like boat rides, simple island walks, quick swims, and informal local guiding.

It is also a good match for couples or small groups with mixed interests. One person can photograph the lighthouse, another can walk the beach, and another can swim, all within the same stops.

Families can join, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed. Pets and smoking are not permitted.

You should think twice if you have limited mobility or use a wheelchair. The trip is not recommended for people with mobility impairments, and the activity is specifically unsuitable for wheelchair users. The boarding pier, boat, and island stops may require movement that is difficult for some visitors.

You may also want a different outing if your main goal is a long bird-watching cruise. This tour includes wildlife viewing, but it puts the emphasis on reaching two islands and returning to Faro within three hours.

Practical advice before you go

Arrive at the Porta Nova boarding pier with sunscreen already applied. Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, water, and a small amount of food if you think you will want a snack beyond what is available on Farol Island.

Wear something suitable for both a boat ride and a beach walk. The information provided does not promise changing facilities, so avoid relying on a full change of clothes between swimming and walking.

Keep your camera protected from spray, especially if the water becomes choppy. The tour runs in changing weather and tide conditions, so the ride may feel calm one day and more active another.

The booking terms are flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

Should you book the Deserta and Farol tour?

Book it if you want two island visits in a compact three-hour trip, especially at a fair $41 price. Deserta gives you beach and open sea, while Farol adds a lighthouse and island community. The local guide, multilingual service, and changing tidal route make the ride more than simple transport.

Skip it if you want long stretches of swimming, a slow nature cruise, or a guaranteed bird and dolphin experience. The island stops are short, and the boat may feel cramped if the group exceeds the advertised 10-person limit.

For most able-bodied visitors staying in Faro, this is a practical way to sample the outer Ria Formosa. Go in expecting a well-guided scenic crossing with two brief stops, not an all-day island escape, and the experience should make good sense.

FAQ

How long does the Ria Formosa catamaran tour last?

The tour lasts three hours, including the boat ride, guided nature viewing, two island stops, and the return to Faro.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Deserta Island first and Farol Island second.

How long do you stop at each island?

You have about 45 minutes at Deserta Island and another 45 minutes at Farol Island.

Can you swim during the tour?

Yes. You can swim at Deserta Island and Farol Island, and masks and life jackets are included.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, though local snacks may be available during the Farol Island stop.

What languages are available?

Live guiding is available in Spanish, English, French, and Portuguese.

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is Cais de Embarque da Porta Nova in Faro. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users and is not recommended for people with limited mobility.