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Home/Destinations/Faro/Beaches & Sandbanks

Beaches & Sandbank Tours

Golden sands and turquoise sea: ferries and boat tours from Faro reach the barrier-island beaches of the Ria Formosa, like wild Deserta Island and lively Farol. Soft sand, clear Atlantic water and fresh seafood make these some of the Algarve’s loveliest beaches.

45 tours · prices per person, book with partner

Ilha Deserta and Farol Island: a small group boat trip in Ria Formosa from Faro
Faro
Ilha Deserta and Farol Island: a small group boat trip in Ria Formosa from Faro
4.6(304)·3 hours
from$48/ person
via

Beaches & Sandbanks in Faro — FAQ

What are the best beaches near Faro?
The barrier-island beaches of the Ria Formosa — such as Deserta, Farol and Faro Island — are the closest and loveliest.
How do you reach the island beaches from Faro?
Ferries and boat tours from Faro’s harbour reach the Ria Formosa islands and their beaches.
Is Deserta Island worth visiting?
Yes — Deserta (Barreta) is a wild, uninhabited barrier island with pristine sand, dunes and a seafood restaurant.

More things to do in Faro

Ria Formosa & IslandsFaro Old TownBenagil & Sea CavesDolphin WatchingTavira & Algarve Towns
Viator
Faro - Ria Formosa tour with visit to 2 islands (Deserta, Farol) 3.5 hours
Faro
Faro - Ria Formosa tour with visit to 2 islands (Deserta, Farol) 3.5 hours
4.9(91)·3h 30min
from$40/ person
via Viator
4 Stops | 3 Islands & Ria Formosa Natural Park - From Faro
Faro
4 Stops | 3 Islands & Ria Formosa Natural Park - From Faro
4.9(3,414)·4–5 hours
from$51/ person
via Viator
Hop On Hop Off 3 Islands: Deserta, Farol and Culatra
Faro
Hop On Hop Off 3 Islands: Deserta, Farol and Culatra
4.6(64)·1 day
from$46/ person
via Viator
5-hour tour with 3 stops around the islands and beaches of Ria Formosa
Faro
5-hour tour with 3 stops around the islands and beaches of Ria Formosa
5.0(201)·5 hours
from$51/ person
via Viator
Boat Tour to Desert Island at The Ria Formosa
Faro
Boat Tour to Desert Island at The Ria Formosa
5.0(7)·3 hours
from$51/ person
via Viator
Faro : Magico Tour 6h by Ria Formosa Islands Small Groups
Faro
Faro : Magico Tour 6h by Ria Formosa Islands Small Groups
5.0(113)·6 hours
from$57/ person
via Viator
Guided Nature Tour & Hop On Hop Off 3 Islands
Faro
Guided Nature Tour & Hop On Hop Off 3 Islands
5.0(9)·7 hours
from$63/ person
via Viator
Visit Secret Caves, Hidden Beaches and Snorkel in Alvor, Portugal
Portimao
Visit Secret Caves, Hidden Beaches and Snorkel in Alvor, Portugal
5.0(110)·4 hours
from$91/ person
via Viator
Private Half-Day Boat Tour in Ria Formosa from Faro
Faro
Private Half-Day Boat Tour in Ria Formosa from Faro
4.9(59)·4 hours
from$455/ person
via Viator
From Faro: Ria Formosa Eco Tour guided by Marine Biologist
Faro
From Faro: Ria Formosa Eco Tour guided by Marine Biologist
4.9(97)·1h 30min
from$51/ person
via Viator
Ria Formosa - Boat trip to the 3 Islands: Armona | Culatra Island | Lighthouse
Faro
Ria Formosa - Boat trip to the 3 Islands: Armona | Culatra Island | Lighthouse
4.9(2,187)·5 hours
from$51/ person
via Viator
Faro Private Motor Yacht Tour Ria Formosa and Desert Islands
Faro
Faro Private Motor Yacht Tour Ria Formosa and Desert Islands
5.0(3)·3h 30min
from$671/ person
via Viator
Private Ria Formosa Natural Park Boat Cruise from Faro
Faro
Private Ria Formosa Natural Park Boat Cruise from Faro
4.8(61)·3 hours
from$455/ person
via Viator
Private Full Day Tour to Ria Formosa and Olhão Islands
Faro
Private Full Day Tour to Ria Formosa and Olhão Islands
5.0(3)·7 hours
from$683/ person
via Viator
Boat Tour of 2 Ria Formosa Islands: Culatra and Armona
Faro
Boat Tour of 2 Ria Formosa Islands: Culatra and Armona
4.9(548)·3 hours
from$40/ person
via Viator
Natural Park Segway Tour with Seafood Lunch in Faro Island
Portimao
Natural Park Segway Tour with Seafood Lunch in Faro Island
4.9(7)·2h 30min–3h 20min
from$119/ person
via Viator
Islands Tour: Half Day Cruise in Ria Formosa Natural Park
Faro
Islands Tour: Half Day Cruise in Ria Formosa Natural Park
4.3(178)·4 hours
from$28/ person
via Viator
Lagos, Portugal: Morning Beach Hatha Flow Yoga
Lagos
Lagos, Portugal: Morning Beach Hatha Flow Yoga
4.8(5)·1 hour
from$23/ person
via Viator
Private Sightseeing Boat Tour in Ria Formosa at Olhão
Faro
Private Sightseeing Boat Tour in Ria Formosa at Olhão
5.0(35)·2 hours
from$250/ person
via Viator
Private Catamaran Experience in Portimão - Algarve - Portugal
Portimao
Private Catamaran Experience in Portimão - Algarve - Portugal
5.0(13)·6 hours
from$694/ person
via Viator
SUP Rental with Access to Natural Park of Ria Formosa's Islands
Faro
SUP Rental with Access to Natural Park of Ria Formosa's Islands
5.0(5)·2–8 hours
from$28/ person
via Viator
Lagos, Portugal: Morning Beach Yoga and Handpan Sound Journey
Lagos
Lagos, Portugal: Morning Beach Yoga and Handpan Sound Journey
1h 15min
from$34/ person
via Viator
Lagos, Portugal: Sunrise Beach Vinyasa Flow Yoga
Lagos
Lagos, Portugal: Sunrise Beach Vinyasa Flow Yoga
1 hour
from$23/ person
via Viator
2 Hours Kayak Island Tour in the Natural Park of Ria Formosa
Faro
2 Hours Kayak Island Tour in the Natural Park of Ria Formosa
4.0(8)·2 hours
from$74/ person
via Viator
Private Speed Boat Tour - 1 Hour - Ria Formosa
Faro
Private Speed Boat Tour - 1 Hour - Ria Formosa
5.0(1)·1 hour
from$111/ person
via Viator
Ria Formosa Island Tour with Fisherman's Lunch Included
Faro
Ria Formosa Island Tour with Fisherman's Lunch Included
5h 30min
from$85/ person
via Viator
Short boat trip of the Algarve's Ria Formosa lagoon from Faro: 1 hour
Faro
Short boat trip of the Algarve's Ria Formosa lagoon from Faro: 1 hour
4.8(84)·1 hour
from$30/ person
via Viator
2-hour Bird Watching Guided Boat Trip in Ria Formosa from Faro Algarve
Faro
2-hour Bird Watching Guided Boat Trip in Ria Formosa from Faro Algarve
4.7(86)·2 hours
from$48/ person
via Viator
3-hour Private Tour through the Ria Formosa Natural Park
Faro
3-hour Private Tour through the Ria Formosa Natural Park
3 hours
from$341/ person
via Viator
Algarve Coastline & Beaches - Private Tour
Albufeira
Algarve Coastline & Beaches - Private Tour
5.0(6)·5 hours
from$774/ person
via Viator
Half-Day Private Guided Kayak Island Tour
Faro
Half-Day Private Guided Kayak Island Tour
5.0(7)·4 hours
from$142/ person
via Viator
Half Day Luxury Sail in Benagil and Carvoeiro Portugal
Portimao
Half Day Luxury Sail in Benagil and Carvoeiro Portugal
5.0(1)·3h 30min
from$65/ person
via Viator
Private Luxury Clifftop High Tea Picnic Algarve Portugal
Portimao
Private Luxury Clifftop High Tea Picnic Algarve Portugal
5.0(2)·2 hours
from$73/ person
via Viator
Algarve Wine Tasting - Curated Wines & Pairings (Faro)
Faro
Algarve Wine Tasting - Curated Wines & Pairings (Faro)
5.0(3)·1h 45min
from$51/ person
via Viator
Algarve East Coast & Tavira Private Tour From Faro
Faro
Algarve East Coast & Tavira Private Tour From Faro
6–8 hours
from$228/ person
via Viator
Faro Deserta and Farol Islands Tour in Ria Formosa
Faro
Faro Deserta and Farol Islands Tour in Ria Formosa
4.3(4)·3 hours
from$40/ person
via Viator
2 Stop | 2 Islands & Ria Formosa Natural Park - From Faro
Faro
2 Stop | 2 Islands & Ria Formosa Natural Park - From Faro
4.9(1,116)·3 hours
from$46/ person
via Viator
Ria Formosa Natural Park and Islands Boat Cruise from Faro
Faro
Ria Formosa Natural Park and Islands Boat Cruise from Faro
4.9(1,503)·3 hours
from$51/ person
via Viator
Boat trip from Faro to Ilha Deserta by Ferry
Faro
Boat trip from Faro to Ilha Deserta by Ferry
4.4(111)·1–8 hours
from$11/ person
via Viator
Visit Secret Caves, Hidden Beaches and Snorkel in Alvor, Portugal
Portimao
Visit Secret Caves, Hidden Beaches and Snorkel in Alvor, Portugal
4.9(82)·4 hours
from$91/ person
via Viator
Olhão: 3H PRIVATE Guided Boat Tour, Nature/Islands of Ria Formosa
Faro
Olhão: 3H PRIVATE Guided Boat Tour, Nature/Islands of Ria Formosa
5.0(23)·3h 30min
from$392/ person
via Viator
4-Hour Private Boat Tour in Ria Formosa
Faro
4-Hour Private Boat Tour in Ria Formosa
5.0(38)·4 hours
from$478/ person
via Viator
Sunset at Ria Formosa Boat and Islands
Faro
Sunset at Ria Formosa Boat and Islands
3 hours
from$40/ person
via Viator
Private Transfer Lisbon to Algarve South Portugal and Seville
Albufeira
Private Transfer Lisbon to Algarve South Portugal and Seville
5.0(20)·1–4 hours
from$199/ person
via Viator