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Boat Tour of 2 Ria Formosa Islands: Culatra and Armona

4.94
4.9(478 reviews)
3 hours
Portuguese, English, French, Spanish
Mobile ticket
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Overview

Available languages

Portuguese
English
French
Spanish

3 hours

Mobile ticket

The ideal tour to get to know a lot about the Ria Formosa, and visit the island of Culatra, a beautiful fishing community that inhabits about 1000 people all year round, which will be an island producing its own energy by 2030! The houses are typical and traditions and customs predominate, a unique place in the world!

There are several infrastructures and restaurants where you will have the opportunity to taste and delight yourself with typical dishes from traditional restaurants. With the possibility of booking a table or having a Picnic, there are several options to choose from!

Then we will enjoy, for many, the best deserted beach in the Algarve, which is located at the end of Culatra Island, which separates the dark blue of the Atlantic Ocean and the clear blue of the Ria Formosa, where you will have the opportunity to dive, swim and take unique photos! A true paradise!

In case it is out of season , we will visit the magnificent Ilha da Armona , where we will stop around 1h00 to explore the island !

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

What To Expect

Join us in this unique and unforgettable experience through the Ria Formosa, one of the most beautiful and protected natural areas in Portugal. During this boat tour, you will have the opportunity to explore two stunning islands, each offering its own magic and beauty. The trip includes stops on the Island of Armona or Desert Beach (Summer) and Culatra Island, providing a total immersion in the natural charm of the region. Your guide will explain the Ria Formosa and the islands to you throughout the boat tour and will help with everything you need. During the stops, all customers are free, for the time stipulated by the captain. During the boat tour you will not feel nausea, since we sail only in the interior of the Ria Formosa. First Stop: Culatra Island – 1 Hour Then the journey continues towards Culatra Island, a more traditional and authentic place where time seems to stop. With 1 hour of free time, you will have the opportunity to explore the charming fisherman’s village, where the streets of beaten land are the reflection of a simple and peaceful lifestyle. The small village on the island has a unique charm. Here you can get to know the local life, visit the Culatra church and learn more about fishing, where the captain talks a little about the history and tradition of the fishing community of the region. In addition, there are simple but delicious restaurants where you can taste dishes such as almonds, shrimp, sardines and fresh fish, caught by local fishermen. In addition, many of these locations offer stunning views of the sea. The Isle of Culatra is taking important steps towards energy transition and sustainability! In this sense, the initiative ‘Culatra 2030 – Sustainable Energy Community’ emerges as an innovative pilot project of energy transition, on the island of Culatra, located in the Algarve, Portugal. This project covers a number of dimensions of the green transition, such as natural resource management, energy efficiency and renewable energy promotion. Second Stop : Armona Island or Desert Beach ( 45 minutes to 1 hour ) During winter/autumn/spring we stop on the island of Armona and during the summer season we stop on the deserted beach! - Island of Armona After landing on the island of Armona, you will be immediately captivated by its fine sandy beaches as well as its crystal clear waters. In an hour, you can take a refreshing dive, relax by the sea or walk the dunes and trails of the island, surrounded by natural vegetation. The panoramic views are breathtaking, as it has the turquoise blue sea on one side and the quiet Ria Formosa on the other. The island of Armona is famous for its preserved nature and relaxed environment. In winter, it retains a peculiar calm, away from the agitation of tourism. While in the summer, its deserted beaches on the side of the Atlantic become a perfect refuge for those seeking peace and natural beauty. Enjoy this time to connect with the island’s unique environment. Breathe the fresh air and, if desired, explore its small streets, where the rhythm of local life is simple and welcoming. - Desert Beach In summer, right after arriving at Deserta Beach, you will be immediately immersed in the stunning landscape of golden sand, crystal clear waters and the natural vegetation that surrounds the coast. This beach is known for its absolute peace, away from the crowds, which makes it ideal for those seeking to relax, take a refreshing dive or simply appreciate the beauty of the place. The calm, transparent water invites you to a refreshing bath, while the fine sand is perfect for a relaxing seafront walk. Deserta Beach is also an ideal place for those who like to observe nature, with a vegetation that remains intact and the soft sound of the waves breaking in the sand. In 1 hour, you can explore the beach, rest in the shade of the dunes or simply enjoy the isolated environment, which offers a sense of peace and connection with nature. This stop is a unique opportunity to escape the fast pace and enjoy the pure, wild beauty of Culatra Island. Despite a short period of time, the tranquility of this place will be recorded in memory, becoming one of the most striking moments of his journey through the Ria Formosa.

Options

Ria Formosa Tour 3h00

Ria Formosa Boat Duration: 4 hours islands half day Boat Ria Formosa boat

What‘s Included

Informative map and guides;

Local guide with experience and knowledge of the locality;

Shaded boat ;

Lunch

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.94

478 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

457
16
3
0
2
  • The Best Way to Experience Ria Formosa

    AWorldofWanderlust,Jun 22, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Fantastic boat tour and a great way to experience the beauty of Ria Formosa! The visit to Armona and Culatra Islands offered stunning beaches, crystal-clear water, and a glimpse of authentic local island life. The guide Claudio was friendly, knowledgeable, and shared interesting facts about the natural park and its wildlife. The lunch recommendation was excellent—fresh, delicious, and one of the highlights of the day. The 3-hour duration was perfect: relaxing, scenic, and well organized. Highly recommended for anyone visiting the Algarve and looking for a memorable island adventure.

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  • Ria Formosa

    Myrthe W,Jun 20, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    4.00

    Nice tour to the two islands in the Ria Formosa. Guide was also super friendly and funny at the same time. No too large groups on the boat, which was nice too.

  • A very good stroll to discover the Ria Formosa.

    julienk801,Jun 15, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    The crew is very friendly. Very good explanations about the fauna and flora. The stops on the islands allow time for visiting. An excellent excursion.

  • Well worth a visit

    660PaulB,Jun 9, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    A really enjoyable trip to some beautiful islands with a friendly, knowledgeable skipper. All the staff were great and couldn’t recommend this tour highly enough

  • Nice tour, nice boat and small group!

    Sarah L,Jun 8, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Very nice and interesting tour! Plenty of time on the islands and a nice comfortable boat. The guide tells well!

  • Superb

    emmanuelpP5097LL,Jun 7, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Hello 😊 We rated this boat trip a 6... 😎☀️ Thanks to your excellent Captain and his explanations, and of course our great lunch on the island of the free fishermen of Portugal. (Portuguese yellow vests) 👍🏻 Maggy & Manu 😉

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  • An enjoyable experience

    christinedO6290DD,Jun 7, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    I had a very enjoyable experience on this boat trip. The guide / boat skipper was knowledgeable and humorous.

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  • Excellent boat ride to the islands

    Wander42159127419,Jun 6, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Excellent tour, with a very friendly guide and good knowledge of the area. Great for creating good family memories.

  • Highly recommended tour

    I6376NZthomasg,Jun 5, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Very nice tour with good, knowledgeable guidance. Definitely would do it again.

  • Nice trip

    isabellamv97,Jun 5, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Really nice trip where there was plenty of time to talk history, see the transformation of tides, and get an insight into Olhaos important culture with fishing. The guide was super cute and it seemed very professional

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Operated by ODYSSEY Traditional Boat Tours - Ria Formosa, Olhão

A product of Trip Social Group

Australia: Pavel Australia Pty Ltd

Việt Nam: Công ty TNHH Trip Social

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