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4 Stops 4 Islands & Ria Formosa Natural Park - From Faro
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Faro, Portugal
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From $37.10
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4 Stops 4 Islands & Ria Formosa Natural Park - From Faro
Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn more
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation
- 24 hours prior100% refund
- Within 24 hoursNo refund
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Learn more about cancellations
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Safety measures
Keeping you safe during COVID-19
Vaccine? Quarantine? Masking?
Vaccine? Quarantine? Masking? We know, there’s a lot to keep track of. Be sure to check local guidelines so you’re aware of all travel requirements before you go.
What you can expect during your visit
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Safety precautions are provided by the tour operator and are not checked by Viator for accuracy
More questions?
(888) 651-9785
4 to 5 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English and 3 more
Good for avoiding crowds
Overview
Explore the Algarve's Ria Formosa Natural Park during your time in Faro on this half-day excursion. Join a small group and visit four of the islands in the park—Deserta, Farol, Culatra, and Hangares—via a catamaran. Spend your day swimming in the warm waters, observing local marine life with your snorkel, and learning about local village life.
- Learn about oyster cultivation in the region
- Upgrade to include a typical Algarve lunch in Culatra
- Observe wildlife like herons, storks, and spoonbills
- A small group means more attention from your guide
Saved to wishlist!
From $37.10
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What's Included
Professional Skipper
Masks to snorkeling
Life Jackets
Morning Tour : 5 hours (10h00) | Afternoon Tour : 4hours (14h00 & 1600)
Drinks and Food
Departure & Return
This operator has two meet-up options available. You can either meet at the departure point below or select a location for pick-up.
Cais de embarque de Faro , R. da Porta Nova, 8000-250 Faro, Portugal
The Boarding Place is located at Rua da Porta Nova, 8000-250 Faro The company's representative will be dressed in a Green T-Shirt. Stand Name : Estrela da Ria Formosa
Cais de embarque de Faro , R. da Porta Nova, 8000-250 Faro, Portugal
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Tours can be changed depending on sea conditions.
- A maximum of 12 people per booking.
- A minimum of 2 people is required per booking.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for people with motor difficulties.
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
- OPERATED BY Estrela da Ria Formosa de Cristela Martins
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Learn more about cancellations.
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What is the policy on face masks and attendee health during 4 Stops 4 Islands & Ria Formosa Natural Park - From Faro?
A:The policies on face masks and attendee health are:
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
Q:
What is the policy on sanitization during 4 Stops 4 Islands & Ria Formosa Natural Park - From Faro?
A:The policies on sanitization are:
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Q:
What is the social distancing policy during 4 Stops 4 Islands & Ria Formosa Natural Park - From Faro?
A:The policy on social distancing is:
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Traveler Photos



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Traveler Tips
- "I strongly recommend going to the beach ( quite a long walk) on the island where there is a lunch break." See review
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Reviews
5.0
288 Reviews
5 stars
251
4 stars
25
3 stars
4
2 stars
7
1 star
1
Reviews by Viator travelers
We perform checks on reviews
Showing 1-10 of 288 reviews
Not what it was billed as.
Bruce_D
, Jun 2022
Alex, our guide was great! Extremely knowledgeable with the islands. We were disappointed that it is promoted as a nature tour and we never saw any nature except a seagull. Nice for a boat ride though.
Great island hopping day activity
Andreea_T
, Jun 2022
Great tour - we saw 3 unique islands with a short stop and a bit of history of each, learned about oysters farming in Portugal. Our skipper Claudio made the whole experience comfortable, very fun and insightful. The lunch on the last island was very good also.
A Very Pleasant Day in Ria Formosa.
Andrey_S
, Jun 2022
We had a really good time on this tour. The scenery was beautiful. I recommend to have lunch at a restaurant on one of the islands. The food was fresh and tasty, and prices were good. Just tell your boat captain you want to have lunch and he will reserve a table for you. Our guides/captans were Alex and Claudio. They were knowledgeable about the area and provided good commentary. Overall, this was a great tour.
1 traveler found this review helpful
Very professional and a must do if you are around Faro
Kashif_L
, May 2022
Enjoyable trip
Hao_D
, May 2022
RELAXING
Julia_F
, Mar 2022
Loui was our guide who looked after us very well. We had a very relaxing boat trip and enjoyed every Island that we visited. Every Island was unique and so glad that we did this tour as it gave you an insight into nature and the way of life on these Island's. Enough time was given on each Island to enjoy. Thank you for a great day and if you are in Faro would highly recommend this tour. Alan and Julie
3 islands in the winter
Karen_N
, Mar 2022
It really is three island stops. One of the islands is a double. It was like having a private boat tour with a grumpy captain. I thought it would. E a tour , a guide to some bird watching and ecology of the rio Formosa but basically it was a taxi to the islands. The islands were interesting we especially enjoyed isle deserta. If I were to do it again I would take the water taxi for 3.50 round trip and skip the other two at least in the winter.
Highly recommended!!
Eniko_R
, Dec 2021
Brilliant boat tour
Laura_B
, Nov 2021
Visit the Islands, good value for money
Guillermo_T
, Sep 2021
The tour is great to visit the places along Ria Formosa. We had great time in Desert Island and Farol Island as the beaches were very nice and beautiful. We only spent Culatra Island around town as the beach is a bit far away from the port and we didn't have enough time to visit it. The only downside is that each visit in the afternoon tour was 45 minutes and it was a too short for some places to enjoy them properly. The tour is good value for money and it is good to visit those places. Recommended
Must do in Faro - relaxing trip and have a delicious lunch at Culatra.
Aminah_K
, Jun 2021
Our guide and skipper, Pudding was really knowledgeable of the area. The company offers an option to book for lunch (2 hr stop) at Cafe Janoca at Culatra Island but you can choose freely at other restaurants there. We would like to recommend this restaurant too - the wine was served in FULL glass (amazing) and the freshest seafood like oysters €12 for 9pieces you can get since the farm is just by the shore. Overall, a very comfortable boat with a well-planned itinerary that was not rushed and we were able to enjoy our time during all the stops.
Lovely experience
Nina_D
, Oct 2020
Great experience
Magdalena_K
, Sep 2020
Prebook your shade on board
Georgia_L
, Aug 2020
The places we visited were nice, but the boat trip was not! Make sure to "pre-book" some shade on the boat, otherwise, happy sun-burning!
There is not enough shade for everyone on board and when we reached the boat, I was surprised to find out I was not allowed to sit in the shade because 2 couples already requested it before me.
But the owner did not even bother to ask me when she gave me my ticket and I was the FIRST one to arrive at the boat.
I had to cover myself with my towel the whole time and it was VERY UNCOMFORTABLE.
Even after applying sun screen I still burned my skin because on a boat you burn easily because of the wind and constant sun!
This ruined the trip for me. They should make more shade on the boat, there are many people with sensitive skin!
But the manager was rude to me and it's unacceptable that she never considered my needs. I was neglected because I am a solo traveler, she only cared about the couples!!
Top!
Vanessa_K
, Jun 2022
Um dos passeios pela ria mais longos, e em alguns lugares foi pouco tempo... Ótimo passeio, guia Cláudio muito simpático e explica sobre a região.
Parfait !
Lorne_L
, Jun 2022
Le guide Louis était au top! Très drôle et sympa, connaît de nombreuses anecdotes qui donnent vraiment sens à l’excursion.
1 traveler found this review helpful
Nous avons bien aimé...
CATHY_R
, May 2022
Très agréable visite en...
PASCAL_V
, Sep 2021
Très agréable visite en bateau grâce à notre guide skipper Luis ! Intéressant, d'une gentillesse absolue parlant anglais, français et portugais ! N'hésite pas à nous répondre pour toute question en dehors de ses propres commentaires lors de la visite des 4 îles ! Par contre les temps d'arrêt sont trop longs surtout quand il n'y a strictement rien à y voir ou faire. Le tour operator devrait réviser son temps de visite....
Decepcionante
PaolaCristina_D
, Sep 2021
Contraté el tour en español, lo confirmé con ellos en puerto el día anterior, y nos colocaron con otras 10 personas, portuguesas, con un piloto portugués, que nos dijo que lo sentía, pero no hablaba español. Muy amable, el hombre, pero no nos enterábamos de nada de lo que decía. Aparte del ruido del motor, el viento y la mascarilla, hablaba muy rápido, y apenas pillábamos alguna palabra suelta. Eso de que el portugués es parecido al español es un tópico peligroso. Habría preferido que nos hubiera puesto en otro barco, con los franceses o los ingleses, seguro que me habría enterado de algo más, si me hubieran comentado la situación. El barco sólo tenía lona de techado en una mitad, menos mal que estaba nublado.
Después, eso del snorkel, no era así. En ningún momento se ofreció a nadie la posibilidad, aparte de que no había lugar posible para hacerlo, había un palmo de agua en la zona por donde nos movíamos, y eran bancos de arena.
Se supone que eran 4 paradas, y sólo hicimos 3, ya que a última hora había subido la marea y era absurdo ir a los criaderos de ostras. Podían haberlo hecho 3 horas antes, antes de ir a la última isla, donde ralentizó el barco para enseñarlos desde lejos, ya que la marea acompañaba, pero no tuvieron la previsión. Es más bien un servicio de hop-on/hop-off a tres de las islas. Te sueltan 45 minutos en cada una, te buscas la vida, y te recogen. Tampoco indican en el anuncio que las playas de Culatra están a media hora de camino andando (con su otra media hora de vuelta) de donde atraca el barco (nos lo dijeron antes de embarcar), por lo que, si no llevas comida, tienes que desembarcar e irte de cabeza a uno de los restaurantes (que están atestados por todos los barcos que van a la misma hora, además del ferry). Si no, entre que llegas, esperas mesa, te atienden y comes, llega la hora de irse (si sois más de dos para comer, como no hayáis hecho reserva, mejor rezad a algún santo). Las playas son bajíos arenosos, no esperes que el agua te vaya a subir de la cintura sin alejarte 100 metros. A la vuelta, nos pusimos chorreando porque iba follao como si lo persiguiera una patrullera de la guardia civil, a contraviento.
Lo único positivo es que fueron 31 euros por cabeza por una salida de 5 horas, uno de los mejores precios si sólo quieres transporte, o hablas bien el portugués cerrado del sur. Si me hubieran avisado de que no iba a ser en español, habría elegido definitivamente otra empresa. Hay muchas allí mismo en el puerto, con sus pequeños puestos ofertando las opciones disponibles.
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