From Faro: Ria Formosa Eco Tour guided by Marine Biologist
Description
The Eco Tour is a guided nature tour, from Faro to Ilha Deserta, through Ria Formosa Natural Park’s channels. Our professional guide will share with you information about local biodiversity, traditional activities, the history of Faro, the barrier islands of the natural park, and birdwatching. More than 300 bird species have been found here, some of them very rare and others recognised internationally as endangered. The boat leads you to Ilha Deserta (a deserted island, also known as Barreta Island), a laidback destination on a stunning stretch of white sand dunes. You can enjoy all afternoon at the island: walk along the beach, take the hiking trail to the southerly most point of Portugal and taste the genuine algarvian gastronomy at Estaminé restaurant. The return is included by Ferry, and we can adjust the time (depending on availability). You can enjoy this service every day, all year round.
Tour Options
Itinerary
A Desert Island - The Perfect Getaway Ilha Deserta, also known as Barreta, is the only uninhabited island of Ria Formosa. Animaris offers a portfolio of memorable experiences, with Ria Formosa Natural Park as its stage, and destination to Algarve’s hidden gem - Ilha Deserta. Visit us and discover a unique Paradise!
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
Reviews(93)
The staff with Animaris were incredible! Sadly I didn’t get to do the original tour as I was the only person signed up that day :( however they transferred me over to the island hopper tour which was very good also. The guide Tomas made sure that I still got to hear about all the incredible wildlife in the nature park and learn about fishing practices too. I enjoyed my time so much I went back the next day with a friend. P.S. the guide on our return boat sang a great rendition of “I Want to Break Free”!!
Dear Hannah, Thank you very much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that, despite not being able to join the original tour, you still had a great experience on the Hop On Hop Off 3 islands tour. We’re especially pleased that Thomas made sure you could learn about the incredible wildlife of the Natural Park as well as the local fishing traditions. It means a lot to know that you enjoyed your time with us so much that you returned the following day with a friend. That is truly one of the highest compliments we can receive. Thank you again for your kind words and support. We hope to welcome you back in the future :)
Super fun experience, learned a lot about the lagoons, the birds, nature. Thomas was our biologist, very friendly, knew many languages and also knew what the birds are called in my language. It was very nice!
Biologist (Tomas) definitely knew their stuff and was knowledgeable and interesting without it being too much. Visiting all the islands is a must - they are so unique and picturesque.
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're delighted to hear that Tomas made such a positive impression. His passion and knowledge truly make the experience special. It’s also wonderful that you enjoyed visiting the islands and we agree, each one has its own unique charm and beauty. We hope to welcome you back for another memorable adventure soon :)
Totally recommend. I chose this trip because it promised a marine biologist for a guide. Indeed Tomas was very knowledgeable and entertaining. Saw lots of birds of different types, and learnt about their behaviour. Interesting information about the habitat and the local efforts to preserve it. Had a wonderful walk around the island, then took the ferry back to Faro. This company’s eco credentials were confirmed when they fished out a large plastic sheet floating in the ocean.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such an enriching experience and that Thomas made the tour both informative and enjoyable. It’s great to know you appreciated the diversity of birdlife, the insights into their behaviour, and the information about the local habitat and conservation efforts. We’re also especially glad that our commitment to protecting the environment stood out during your trip. Small actions can make a big difference, and it means a lot to know this was meaningful to you. We hope to welcome you back again soon for another memorable experience!
A fantastic day out with Thomas — a very knowledgable and fun marine biologist. We had a great time learning about the wetlands, the birdlife, and a lot more along the way. Highly recommended.
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear you had such a fantastic day out with Thomas. He’s truly passionate about marine biology and loves sharing his knowledge about the wetlands and birdlife, so it’s wonderful to know that came through in your experience. We really appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back soon!
Our guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the birds and ecology of the Ria Formosa. Thank you
Dear Janet, Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that our guide’s knowledge and enthusiasm for the birds and ecology of Ria Formosa made your experience special. It truly means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure in nature soon :)
The biologist who accompanied us spoke several languages fluently, including French, which makes the experience more accessible. His passion is perfectly communicated and makes the visit even more interesting. The friendliness and listening to the staff makes browsing reassuring. Do not hesitate to take this tour if you are interested in wildlife.
Bonjour, Merci beaucoup pour ce superbe retour! Nous sommes ravis que l’accompagnement du biologiste, sa passion et sa maîtrise des langues, notamment le français, aient rendu l’expérience plus accessible et enrichissante. C’est un vrai plaisir de savoir que la sympathie et l’attention de toute l’équipe ont contribué à une navigation sereine. Merci pour votre recommandation, et au plaisir de vous accueillir à nouveau pour une prochaine découverte de la faune et de la flore!
We had a wonderful 1,5 - 2 hour trip with the guide Joaquin - a very friendly and very competent marine biologist who knows the Ria Formosa very well, including the complex system of currents in the salt marshes. We were shown numerous bird species and other animals and were also given names in German. Overall, it was very relaxed and fun, we learned a lot and all our questions were answered. Highly recommended! Viola and Michael
Dear Viola and Michael, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your trip with Jokin and that his knowledge and passion for the Ria Formosa made the experience both educational and enjoyable. It’s great to know you appreciated the relaxed atmosphere and the opportunity to learn more about the local wildlife. We’ll be sure to pass on your kind words to Jokin — he’ll be very happy to hear them! We hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon. Kind regards, Animaris
Absolutely brilliant tour. Jokin was a fabulous guide. He is so knowledgeable about the birds and also the history and environment and friendly and funny! We all thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thank you so much for taking the time to recommend us! Your review is very kind. Our team members share the passion for Ria Formosa Natural Park, and we've been promoting nature conservation for more than 30 years now. It is wonderful to know that Jokin’s knowledge, enthusiasm, and friendly approach made the experience so enjoyable for you. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back on another tour in the future :) Kind regards, Miguel
We had a wonderful tour with Jokin who was extremely knowledgeable and a great guide. Icing on the cake were the dolphins!
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the tour with Jokin and that the dolphins made the experience even more special. We hope to welcome you again soon for more unforgettable moments!
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