Surrounded by natural beauty, the Algarve isn’t just a place to go sunbathing (although there’s nothing wrong with basking in the sun). The Algarve is also home to abundant wildlife, providing an excellent opportunity to witness the animals in their natural habitat.
Faro is the capital of Portugal’s Algarve region and it’s situated on the coastline, which means a lot of incredible nature and wildlife tours depart from here to the nearby islands and out to the Atlantic Ocean multiple times per day. It’s the perfect place to hop on a tour!
We’ve put together this blog on the five best Faro nature and wildlife tours, from Ria Formosa excursions to sunset cruises. Alternatively, if you’ve already got your bucket list of places to visit near Faro, why not go on your own Private Faro Boat Tour. This would give you the freedom and flexibility to go sightseeing at your own pace.
1. Boat Tour to Deserta and Farol Islands in Ria Formosa
Embark on our comfortable catamaran for a 3-hour Boat Tour to Deserta and Farol Islands in Ria Formosa. Sit back and relax as you cruise through the beautiful landscapes of the Ria Formosa Nature Park and along the southern Portuguese coastline. On your voyage, see if you can spot the Culatra Island Lighthouse and the diverse variety of bird life from the grey heron and white stork to the grey plover and the eurasian whimbrel.
The first stop is the beautiful island of Farol, for one hour. Here, you’ll be able to wander around the picturesque streets and visit the lighthouse. Then we’ll hop on over to our second stop, Deserta Island, for 30 minutes. With lovely sandy beaches, it’s the perfect place to bask in the sun and go for a swim in the sea. Jump back on board to journey through the tranquil Ria Formosa, one last time, on our journey back to Faro.
2. Short Boat Tour in Ria Formosa, from Faro
If you’re looking for a smaller experience, our Short Boat Tour in Ria Formosa is a great option. Board a catamaran for a quick 1-hour tour of the highlights of the Ria Formosa Nature Park, where we’ll cruise down the numerous channels and delve further into the lagoon to witness waders feeding on small organisms that live in the marshland. As we return to the marina in Faro, you will be able to appreciate Faro’s Old Town Walls from a unique perspective. The guide on board will be able to answer any questions you may have along the way about the nature park, the city, or the culture.
3. Marine Life and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip from Faro
The waters surrounding the Algarve are teeming with aquatic wildlife including minke whales, orcas, sea turtles, seahorses, ocean sunfish, and even sharks! There are several species of dolphins in the Algarve but the most sighted are the common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, striped dolphin, harbor porpoise, and risso’s dolphin.
Our Marine Life and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip guides you through the channels of the Ria Formosa Nature Park out to the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean. This 2-hour tour provides you with the perfect opportunity to witness these animals in their natural habitat instead of in captivity. You’ll also learn about local marine life from the knowledgeable guide on board, who will also provide live commentary throughout the tour. If you’re interested in this tour, read this ultimate guide to dolphin-watching in the Algarve as it contains all the need-to-know information before you go!
4. Sunset Boat Trips in Faro
I can’t think of a more perfect way to end a vacation in the Algarve than going on our 1-hour Sunset Boat Trip. We’ve been running tours from Faro for years and have witnessed countless magnificent sunsets. We may be a little biased but we do believe that Portugal has some of the best sunsets in the world!
For this tour, you’ll escape the busy Faro crowds for the tranquility of the Ria Formosa Nature Park. As the sky starts to turn pinkish hues and the sun starts to dip beyond the horizon, there’s nothing more to do than cuddle up to that special someone and immerse yourself in this incredibly romantic and memorable experience in Portugal.
5. Ria Formosa Bird-Watching Boat Tour
For all the bird-watching fanatics out there, our Ria Formosa Bird-Watching Boat Tour is perfect for you! The Ria Formosa Nature Park is one of the most important wetlands in Europe — a true sanctuary for aquatic birds.
On this 2-hour boat journey, you’ll venture past the oyster and clam farms towards where the lagoon merges with the sea — you’ll also spend some time on a deserted beach. These areas are home to the white stork, little egret, grey plover, oystercatcher, and many more! An expert guide will be on board to provide live commentary on the wildlife you spot along the way.
From diverse wildlife to captivating landscapes, the Algarve has it all. Given the paradise on our doorstep, we are passionate about protecting the incredible Ria Formosa landscape. We are certified as “clean & safe” by Turismo de Portugal, which means our Faro tours are the best way to discover the beauty of the Algarve without harming it. If you have any questions about our Ria Formosa Boat Tours or would like to organize a Private Boat Tour, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
