4.5 (45)

Faro, PT

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Experience the freedom of exploring the stunning barrier islands of Ria Formosa at your own pace with the Hop On Hop Off Islands tour. Departing from Faro, you can embark on a boat circuit that takes you to the islands of the Natural Park, allowing you the flexibility to travel between them on the available schedules. With a 24-hour ticket, you have ample time to visit each island and soak up their unique beauty. Our knowledgeable boat skippers will be there to guide you and provide all the information you need during your journey. Spend the day exploring, discovering hidden gems, and enjoying the breathtaking landscapes. When you're ready, simply choose your return time and hop back on the boat to Faro. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to explore the Hop On Hop Off Islands.

About this experience

Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
Admission Not Included
2 hours - 24 hours
Suitable for 1-10 Participants
Small Group Tour
Guided Experience

Included

All fees and taxes

Not included

Lunch
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off

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More about this experience

Introduction

Hop On Hop Off Islands is the perfect tour for those who want to explore the breathtaking beauty of the Ria Formosa’s barrier islands at their own pace. Departing from Faro, this tour allows you the freedom to travel between the islands, experiencing their unique charms and natural wonders. Whether you prefer to relax on pristine beaches, observe diverse bird species, or indulge in delicious local cuisine, this tour has it all. With a valid ticket for 24 hours, you can embark on multiple trips and discover the hidden gems of this natural park.

What to expect?

During this tour, you can expect to have an unforgettable experience as you navigate the stunning islands of the Ria Formosa Natural Park. The flexibility of the Hop On Hop Off Islands tour allows you to choose your own adventure, deciding how much time to spend on each island. You'll be guided and informed by our knowledgeable boat skippers, who will ensure you have all the information you need to make the most of your journey. From the tranquil and uninhabited Ilha Deserta to the charming community of Ilha da Culatra, each island offers a unique experience and a chance to connect with nature.

Who is this for?

Hop On Hop Off Islands is for anyone who appreciates the beauty of nature and wants to explore the untouched paradise of the Ria Formosa’s barrier islands. Whether you're a solo traveler, a group of friends, or a family with children, this tour offers something for everyone. Nature enthusiasts will be thrilled by the diverse flora and fauna, while beach lovers can soak up the sun on pristine sandy shores. The tour is also suitable for those who enjoy discovering local culture, as you'll have the opportunity to try authentic local gastronomy on the islands. With multiple scheduled pickup times, this tour provides flexibility to cater to different preferences and schedules.

Why book this?

This tour offers a unique and unforgettable experience that allows you to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Ria Formosa’s barrier islands. Unlike traditional tours, Hop On Hop Off Islands gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace and create a personalized itinerary, ensuring you get the most out of your visit. The knowledgeable boat skippers will be there to guide you, providing valuable insights and information about each island. Whether you're a nature lover, a food enthusiast, or simply seeking relaxation, this tour has it all. From the untouched beauty of Ilha Deserta to the charming community of Ilha da Culatra, every moment of this journey will be filled with wonder and excitement.

Good to know

During the Hop On Hop Off Islands tour, you'll have the opportunity to visit three beautiful islands: Ilha Deserta, Ilha do Farol, and Ilha da Culatra. Each island offers its own unique attractions and experiences. Ilha Deserta is a pristine island with abundant biodiversity and spectacular panoramic views. Ilha do Farol is home to the iconic Santa Maria lighthouse and has a small community perfect for a peaceful getaway. Ilha da Culatra is the only island with permanent residents, giving you a glimpse into the local way of life. It's important to note that reaching the beach on Ilha da Culatra requires a 30-minute walk. Prepare yourself for an unforgettable journey as you discover the hidden treasures of the Ria Formosa’s barrier islands.

Reviews

The Hop On Hop Off Islands tour has received rave reviews from travelers who have experienced its wonders. Visitors have praised the flexibility of the tour, allowing them to spend as much time as they desired on each island. They were delighted by the knowledgeable boat skippers who provided interesting facts and stories about the islands. Many reviewers highlighted the beauty and tranquility of the islands, expressing their appreciation for the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature. The local gastronomy on the islands also received high praise, with visitors savoring the authentic flavors and fresh seafood. Overall, customers have expressed their satisfaction and gratitude for the unforgettable experiences and cherished memories created during the Hop On Hop Off Islands tour.

About this product

How long before the event do I need to book?

You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

At least one adult or senior required per booking

Meeting point & End point

Your Itinerary

Animaris Ilha Deserta Boat Tours

Ilha Deserta is one of the 5 barrier islands in the Ria Formosa Natural Park, and the only uninhabited. The shape of Deserta looks like an arrow pointing south, between the Atlantic Ocean and Ria Formosa. The island has been kept pristine for many years, and today still surprises. From birds, to plants and flowers, crustacean, chameleons and others still to be found, Ilha Deserta is a hotspot of biodiversity. On island you'll find Estaminé Restaurant surrounded by the tranquility, it offers an authentic gastronomy experience, a quality service and spectacular panoramic views.

Admission Not Included

R. das Flores 119

Ilha do Farol gets the name from the iconic lighthouse 'Santa Maria'. It is a mark among fisherman as safe haven and it has a small community on holidays and weekends.

Admission Not Included

Ilha da Culatra

Culatra is the only island with residency all year long. The highlights is the fisherman port, church, island school and community itself. To reach the beach it requires a 30 minute walk.

Admission Not Included

Additional information

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Reviews

(45)

4.5 (45)

ineslX3221WJ

The organisation is very good. Also the lady on the front desk was very nice and helpeful. She answered all my questions and helped me to pick the right ride. Also the skippers are good and nice.

Shaoquan_L

This gives you a easy way to visit the different islands spots near Faro. You just plan your time yourself, follow the time schedule of the shuttle boat and visit 3 spots and return back to Faro. You can decide which place you would like to say longer. You have the freedom.

Laryssa_M

Such a beautiful experience. Very friendly and helpful staffs. A good way to go to all the three islands.

Desiree_A

The boat drivers made every effort for persons to get on and off the boat with ease even with the changing tides They were excellent and helpful drivers Of course the beaches were the favourite Ille Desert Island Ilha Deserta Walk to the Beach on Cultura

jaymac123

I went on this boat 3x and booked 3 separate trips. First two through trip advisor, last one I booked at the desk. The lady lied about being able to return earlier, the ticket I had was not acknowledged by two of the staff. Luckily the one guy had seen me prior and I got along with him, he allowed me on but advised, I had been advised incorrectly. I addressed this when I got back and advised I’d make a complaint as my flight back is today and this would’ve made me late if the skipper didn’t see me previously. It was pretty clear they had tried to exploit the fact that I had spoken in clear English about returning early and still sold me the ticket which was false.

Karen_W

This was not an interesting trip for me. I am not a sun-lover and this would be a great trip for those who want to sit on the beach and maybe bring a picnic lunch. That is pretty much all there was to do.

Fiona_L

This is a shuttle service between the islands which means you can stay as long as you like on the island or as little as you like. Each island has its own charm and unique character but the ultimate island was ilha deserta which had one amazing restaurant and great facilities on the island plus plenty of beach to enjoy or a hike if you prefer.

Ashlin K

It was a good experience. The boats came on time and you could easily island hop. I would say to bring lots of snacks and your swimsuit. It’s fun to walk around the islands, but it doesn’t take much time. So spending time at the beach or a restaurant is fun.

hannahwA7855PY

We did the hop-on-hop-off experience with three girls to see the beaches of Faro. My preferred spot was the first island (Ilha Deserta), you can spent half day there. It has a wooden pathway to go for a 2 km mini hike and a looong sandbeach on the other side. We spent 1 hour there and there were very few people. We had a coffee and oysters in the restaurant before leaving, the restaurant and bar are fancy and very nice for a short stay. The second stop (Farol) I would recommend to skip, it is a holiday park for portuguese families and some low quality bars. You cannot do much there. The third stop (Ilha Culatra) has a beautiful fishermen harbour. We had an intensive 2-hours-lunch at the restaurant "O Rui" with prawns, claws, fish and sides, plus water and two bottles of wine (total 75 Euros). It was delicious and relaxing. We took the wooden bridge to the other side of the island to the beach (15 min walking) and had a nice swim in the ocean, there is also a bar for snacks and drinks. Very much recommended. It took us all day to return as we liked it so much (from 10.30 to 7pm) but you can also choose to go with the other boats and return earlier. The team is great, they give safety advice and make you feel safe and comfortable at any time. there were also few kids, I can recommend to go with kids as well as the speed boats are safe and you get life vests. You can book the tickets at the harbour area (book 1-2 days in advance).

Amali-Aix

We really enjoyed the Hop-on-Hop-off! Thanks for the team: always caring, safety first and super friendly! We recommend staying two slots at Deserta and doing the round walking tour and ending with oysters at the bar. As we came off-season Farol was deserted (its rather a holiday park) but Culatra was an excellent experience again. We had fish and seafood at O Rui and LOVED IT! We left in the morning with the first boat and came back with the last 🤣

Collected by Evendo & our supplier partners

2024-06-29 12:36