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(96)
What a great trip! Jokin was our guide and was so knowledgeable about all of the birds, lending us his binoculars so that we could get a better view and pointing out amazing little fiddler crabs on the mudflats. He was so friendly and interesting that the time flew by and we got lots of lovely pictures. Thoroughly recommended for nature lovers!
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We're thrilled to hear you had such a great trip with Jokin. He has a real passion for the wildlife and it's wonderful to know you enjoyed learning about the birds, spotting the fiddler crabs, and making the most of the binoculars to get a closer look. We're also delighted that you found the experience both interesting and enjoyable. We hope to welcome you back for another nature adventure in the future!
Fascinating boat trip with Thomas as our guide. He spoke perfect English and was so informative and passionate about nature, rewilding and marine biology - we (2 adults and 2 teens) had an inspirational and thoroughly enjoyable trip. Highly recommended!
Dear Debora, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you and your family had such an enjoyable and inspiring experience with Thomas. He truly loves sharing his passion for nature, rewilding, and marine biology, so it means a lot to know his enthusiasm made your trip so memorable. We hope to welcome you all back for another adventure in the future!
A wonderful visit, with landscapes of great beauty and a guide, Tomas, who is very knowledgeable and passionate about his work.
Grazie di cuore per le sue splendide parole! Siamo davvero felici che abbia apprezzato la bellezza dei paesaggi. Faremo sicuramente i suoi complimenti a Tomas, sarà felice di sapere che la sua preparazione e la sua passione hanno reso la visita ancora più speciale. Speriamo di accoglierla nuovamente per un'altra esperienza indimenticabile!
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!
