Ria Formosa - Boat trip to the 3 Islands: Armona | Culatra Island | Lighthouse
4.9
Ria Formosa - Boat trip to the 3 Islands: Armona | Culatra Island | Lighthouse
By ODYSSEY - Ria Formosa Boat Tours
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About
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-80, max of 17 per group
Duration: 5h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: Portuguese, English, French, Spanish
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Audio guide: Portuguese, English, French, Spanish
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Written guide: Portuguese, English, French, Spanish
Print or digital reading material such as a guide, map, brochure, etc.
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Highlights
Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best
2024
- Bottled water
- Local guide with experience and knowledge of the locality;
- boat with shade
- Map of the Islands
- Guide of Birds
- Fish Guide
- Molluscs and Seafood Guide
What's not included- Lunch
- Start:
- ODYSSEY Boat Tours - Passeios de barco na Ria Formosa, Cais T, Av. 5 de Outubro s/n, 8700-302 Olhão, PortugalStand ODYSSEY Traditional Boat Tours
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 134306P1- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travellers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 17 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 134306P1
From
£34.06
per adult
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Itinerary
- Cais T, Av. 5 de Outubro s/n, 8700-302 Olhão, PortugalStand ODYSSEY Traditional Boat Tours
- Pass byRia Formosa Natural Park
- 1
- 2
- 3
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Top rated
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- Journey377703590120 contributionsSunser BoatThe trip to two islands was an amazing experience! Stunning views and, on top of that, a breathtaking sunset. 🤩 Ria Farmosa and Ilhas are two beautiful islands that you simply must visit! The organization was excellent, and the staff was very friendly. Once there, you have free time to explore on your own. Highly recommended!Written 21 March 2025
- perryh7170 contributionsAwesome Experience on This Two Island TourHad a great time on the water visiting these two islands as well as the Ria Formosa. We were provided with a wealth of information by our guide and we were able to appreciate the different local cultures existing here. Thanks for a great experience!Written 16 March 2025
- 756belindal0 contributionsLovely trip out!Good value and nice day out - always good to be out on the water! Skipper/guide was friendly and informative. Good attention to safety and comfort of passengers.Written 15 March 2025
- judylI601OZ0 contributionsWonderful experience with ría Formosa two hour boat rideThe tour was wonderful thanks to the amazing staff who took extra care that I felt comfortable on the boat as tend to not like the water! Will be back next time for sure and do even more tours!Written 20 February 2025
- Peter S0 contributionsBeautiful sunset cruiseSuperb sunset mini boat tour to two islands. Plenty of time allowed to explore or relax as you choose. Food and drink are available on both islands along with beautiful beaches.Written 16 February 2025
- 883mirellas0 contributionsFun boat tripVery enjoyable boat trip I really enjoyed this boat trip I am happy to recommend this trip to anyone and everyone as you will be guaranteed to have the best day outWritten 16 February 2025
- Sarah D0 contributionsWorth the tripWe were looked after extremely well. The guide was very knowledgeable. The boat trip was really enjoyable and I would recommend this company. Very friendlyWritten 15 February 2025
- leemG4882ZJ0 contributionsMiscommunication saved by ownerBooked this trip in January as a surprise for my wife, arranged my own transport from Faro to Olhao and arrived in good time at the destination for the trip. So you can imagine my disappointment and horror to find that due to some miscommunication my booking via tripadvisor and the company hadn't gone through and they had no record of us booked down for the trip, not only that but due to no other later bookings being made by other people either the last trip for the day had actually left an hour earlier. Thankfully, the owner Carlos came to our rescue, and although he couldn't get us on a trip with themselves he managed to get us on a similar trip with another company which was just about to leave, and as a gesture of goodwill he also refunded my transport costs. So although we didn't experience the sunset with Odyssey they helped turn a nightmare back into a lovely experience to which I am grateful and will probably in future just book direct with them. Thank you Carlos and I look forward to dealing with you again in the future, with hopefully a better experience.Written 13 February 2025
- CoppoMullingar0 contributionsVery enjoyableA very enjoyable 5 hour trip to 3 islands. The guide was very knowledgeable and made our tour so interesting. Highly recommended.Written 2 February 2025
- 525pegaht0 contributionsSmoothed Tours*****I am coming the 3th time with my Friends and Family for the 3 hours Trip and we always enjoying the Captains guide and Trip. Highly recommended. Thank you ! See you soon again.Written 24 January 2025
- saricgo0 contributionsHighly recommend Odyssey Bost ToursWe had a wonderful boat tour with Ivan. What was supposed to be a group tour ended up being private, and 5 hours instead of 3. In addition to sharing his knowledge of the RIa Formosa and the islands we visited, Ivan, at our request, also gave us great recommendations for other places to visit in Olhau, and where to have oysters and grilled fish (GNO - simple, delicious, well priced!) l should also mention that Carlos was great to deal with when booking the tour. He responded quickly to any questions I had.Written 21 January 2025
- paulaQ190GU0 contributionsFantastic little tripA fantastic experience! Everyone was extremely helpful and informative. It was a small boat with eight people which was perfect. Lovely to see the local islands and the people, fantastic pictures and a beautiful sunset. Would highly recommended 👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Written 20 January 2025
- Sandra H0 contributionsA bit chilly on the water in JanuaryThe tour guide was wonderful. The islands were lovely but I had a hard time disembarking the boat at the islands. I do have some mobility issues and was challenged getting on and off the small stone platform at the islands. If you go in the winter be sure to layer up, bring a towel. We brought gloves and glad we did.Written 19 January 2025
- marjanm20250 contributionsExploring RIO formosaOn our last day in Algarve we had a wonderful time on the water with captain William and the islands were really beautiful en quiet.Written 5 January 2025
- TerrynTrish0 contributionsGreat communicators amid rainy weatherWent on a rainy day but appreciated how company was quick to communicate and delay trip to a less rainy day. It felt a bit long going from island to island. Would have felt better if we could get out to snorkel but it was cold. The tour was informative and friendly!Written 24 December 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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4.9
1,326 reviews
Excellent
1,263
Very good
50
Average
9
Poor
3
Terrible
1
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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patricia b
Edinburgh, UK50 contributions
This boat trip proved to be the best highlight of my short holiday to Olhao. Susana at the booth was very helpful and explained the itinerary and I opted for the longer trip of 5 hours which was well worth every euro. Our boat was skippered by Ivan. He is a true professional in nautical skills, safety, and has a wealth of knowledge on the beautiful Ria Formosa Natural Park. Ivan spoke both French and English perfectly with a fun sense of humour 😄 I highly recommend this experience with Odyssey to explore this Natural wonder. I'm fortunate in being able to compare with the competition, having sailed on another boat trip last year. Ivan and the team totally deserve the ranking of #1.
Written 31 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Slimani L
1 contribution
Sept 2023 • Solo
There are many choices of excursions when you search online and you don't know (like me) but booking this excursion was the highlight of my solo trip! I recommend to anyone reading me to take the 5 hour excursion to visit the 3 islands of the Ria Formosa!! Miguel was very welcoming, speaks several languages and distributed a bottle of water to the whole group before departure. Carlos, our captain, is simply brilliant and knew how to make this day an unforgettable memory engraved forever! We were a group of 7 and although I was alone I had the impression of sharing a group adventure. The small group is not negligible when you see the big boats arriving full of tourists who are a little pressed for time! Each of the 3 islands has its own charm, on that of Farhol reigns a pleasant calm and the locals are very warm, once facing the house in the photo with the lighthouse behind, turn on your heels and enjoy the small hidden beach always straight ahead ! You will be quiet there unlike the main beach of the island! Culhatra is a very charming fishing village, opposite the pier you will find several restaurants but take a walk in the alleys behind, you will find a small pastry shop with the best pastels de nata!! Ilha Deserta is literally a desert island paradise, enjoy its crystal clear waters and stock up on shells like me 🐚😁
I really don't have anything negative to say about my experience, so thanks again to Miguel and Carlos for making this excursion the best part of my stay! Obrigada! ✨️
I really don't have anything negative to say about my experience, so thanks again to Miguel and Carlos for making this excursion the best part of my stay! Obrigada! ✨️

Written 6 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anya M
2 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
Odyssey Boat Trips in the Portuguese town of Olhão is a true gem for sea adventure enthusiasts! Definitely five stars for the excellent service from start to finish. Everything was perfectly organized, and the tour started punctually, allowing us to fully enjoy the entire experience. The crew was extremely professional, yet warm and helpful, creating a wonderfully friendly atmosphere on board.
The route was spectacular, with picturesque views of islands and bays, and the guide shared interesting facts and stories that enriched our journey. There was also an opportunity to stop for a swim in crystal-clear waters, which was an unforgettable experience. The equipment on board was in perfect condition, and passenger comfort was a top priority.
To conclude, we were taken by the guide to a beautiful fishing island, where we enjoyed a fantastic lunch at a restaurant partnered with Odyssey. I highly recommend Odyssey Boat Trips to anyone looking for a mix of relaxation, adventure, and stunning views – we will definitely be back!
The route was spectacular, with picturesque views of islands and bays, and the guide shared interesting facts and stories that enriched our journey. There was also an opportunity to stop for a swim in crystal-clear waters, which was an unforgettable experience. The equipment on board was in perfect condition, and passenger comfort was a top priority.
To conclude, we were taken by the guide to a beautiful fishing island, where we enjoyed a fantastic lunch at a restaurant partnered with Odyssey. I highly recommend Odyssey Boat Trips to anyone looking for a mix of relaxation, adventure, and stunning views – we will definitely be back!
Written 8 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cherry
Bristol, UK4 contributions
My wife and I visited Olhão for a few days in early April and decided a good way to see more of the area would be to do the 3 island boat tour.
We have been on many boat tours all over the Greek islands and many other places but this was one of the best we’ve been on, the boat was quite small while still being safe and not over crowded. This boat was also pretty rapid which made it a bit more fun than your usual big ferry’s that just chug along and take an age to get anywhere.
Our skipper for the day (who’s name I forget now) was very knowledgeable of the area and gave a bit of a history lesson on each of the 3 islands and also recommended us a restaurant on one of the islands for our lunch stop!
We had adequate time on each island to have a wander around or just lay on a beach which was perfect. The total time of this trip was just over 5 hours.
All in all, it was a day very well spent during our short stay in Olhão so if you’ve had enough of walking around and want to explore more of the area I highly recommend checking out Odyssey boat tours. A great way to see more and learn more about this beautiful coast line.
We have been on many boat tours all over the Greek islands and many other places but this was one of the best we’ve been on, the boat was quite small while still being safe and not over crowded. This boat was also pretty rapid which made it a bit more fun than your usual big ferry’s that just chug along and take an age to get anywhere.
Our skipper for the day (who’s name I forget now) was very knowledgeable of the area and gave a bit of a history lesson on each of the 3 islands and also recommended us a restaurant on one of the islands for our lunch stop!
We had adequate time on each island to have a wander around or just lay on a beach which was perfect. The total time of this trip was just over 5 hours.
All in all, it was a day very well spent during our short stay in Olhão so if you’ve had enough of walking around and want to explore more of the area I highly recommend checking out Odyssey boat tours. A great way to see more and learn more about this beautiful coast line.
Written 6 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James S
11 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
We went on the boat trip to the 3 islands and the sunset tour. We had such a good time the boat captain was very good and funny. All of the islands we went to were so pretty especially the lighthouse island where we watched the sunset. The sunset was also so pretty me and my friends could stay there all day. We would highly recommend doing the 3 island tour as it’s definitely worth it for the price you pay it is 100% worth it I would recommend to anyone
Written 20 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
oscar d
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Couples
Good activity at a good quality/time/price ratio. Carlos is interesting and very friendly!
We enjoyed Isla Desherta, Armona Island and Farol Island. Minus that of Culatra.
However, I recommend that you take the ferry or take taxi boats (admittedly more expensive) to complete your visits and spend a little more time on the islands.
We enjoyed Isla Desherta, Armona Island and Farol Island. Minus that of Culatra.
However, I recommend that you take the ferry or take taxi boats (admittedly more expensive) to complete your visits and spend a little more time on the islands.

Written 17 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Delarue A
1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Family
A wonderful day sailing on the small islands.
Human-sized excursion, personalized and with good advice given by a benevolent captain and native of one of the islands.
We were able to eat in a local restaurant and enjoy the typical fish and dishes.
An activity that I recommend 100%
Very good value for money
Thank you again.
Human-sized excursion, personalized and with good advice given by a benevolent captain and native of one of the islands.
We were able to eat in a local restaurant and enjoy the typical fish and dishes.
An activity that I recommend 100%
Very good value for money
Thank you again.
Automatically translated
Written 26 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
caroline B
Warrington, UK41 contributions
This boat trip exceeded our expectations . We debated about getting the taxi boats to the various islands but decided against it and I am very glad we did. We booked the three island 5 hour tour . Carlos was our guide he was very friendly and funny and made everyone feel welcome and relaxed on the tour . We visited the three islands and an extra one was thrown in as the weather was so amazing and Carlos was keen for us to enjoy the day. The whole experience felt very relaxed and we were allowed plenty of time on the different islands to eat , swim and chill with no pressure to hurry to be back on the boat - all very laid back . The islands are well worth visiting and I had one of the best meals of my whole holiday on Culatra .The islands have a vibe like the Caribbean, the water is so clear with lovely white sand . When you go to the harbour in Olhao there are other places doing trips but I recommend that you save yourself the time and effort and reserve Odyssey Trips in advance of your stay you really will have a great time with this company . Communication is good via what’s app too for more info or to reserve . Thanks Carlos !
Written 21 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jeffmmanila
Berlin, Germany95 contributions
Exceeded my expectations. The trip was marvelous. Claudio was an excellent and genuine guide. Informative and promoted a great sense of camaraderie between thr guest without being "folksy". The itinerary was a well planned mix of boat rides, visits and lunch, beverages. Nice, fun companions, too.
Written 27 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen A
Roende, Denmark22 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
We were disappointed. We had expected that the guide would tell us which tours we could take on the islands to get a nature experience, but we did not discover any kind of nature on the islands, only settlements.
During the 2 hour break we were followed to a restaurant, where the guide then left us? Otherwise, there would have been an opportunity to tell a lot more about the islands, nature, etc.
The food was OK, but probably not better than at all the other restaurants in town.
We were told about the number of inhabitants, etc., which we could look up on Google ourselves.
We had booked an English guide, but Gabriel was - in our opinion - more interested in speaking French to the French couple who were there.
There is absolutely no need to go on an Odysseus Boat tour to be guided around the area. Take the ferry instead. You get to the same places - just cheaper.
During the 2 hour break we were followed to a restaurant, where the guide then left us? Otherwise, there would have been an opportunity to tell a lot more about the islands, nature, etc.
The food was OK, but probably not better than at all the other restaurants in town.
We were told about the number of inhabitants, etc., which we could look up on Google ourselves.
We had booked an English guide, but Gabriel was - in our opinion - more interested in speaking French to the French couple who were there.
There is absolutely no need to go on an Odysseus Boat tour to be guided around the area. Take the ferry instead. You get to the same places - just cheaper.

Written 3 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do they insist on face masks? I've just cancelled a similar tour due to the vendors changing the goal posts after booking.
Written 18 January 2023
Not when we went on our boat trip which was early September.
Written 19 January 2023
Hi! We are staying in Olhao and would be interested in this boat tour for Monday or Tuesday. What is the difference between the first an the second tour, excepting 10€ and different departure times (11:00/12:30)? Thank you very much for your feedback :) Kind regards,
Valérie
Written 4 October 2020
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.