ISLAND HOPPING · PORTUGAL ISLAND HOPPING

The 15 Best Portugal Island Hopping Tours

25 tours  ·  from $29 a head

The 15 best portugal island hopping tours you can put a deposit on today, with the price a head, how long the boat is out and who each one suits. Number one is first for a reason; start there.

4 Stops | 3 Islands & Ria Formosa Natural Park - From Faro - Barreta Island and the ocean edge
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4 Stops | 3 Islands & Ria Formosa Natural Park – From Faro

1.4 Stops | 3 Islands & Ria Formosa Natural Park – From Faro

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,080 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $48Our pick

Spend four to five hours sailing Faro’s Ria Formosa Natural Park in a small catamaran group of up to 12. Visit Barreta, Farol, and Culatra islands, watch herons and spoonbills, see oyster beds, and swim with free masks. The morning trip allows two hours for lunch in Culatra, while afternoon departures focus on a shorter village visit.

“Our driver Oscar was very entertaining, explaining along the way all the wide birds, sea horses, oyster plantation …”

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Faro: Ria Formosa Faro Islands Boat Tour - Barreta Island brings dunes and open shore
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Faro: Ria Formosa Faro Islands Boat Tour

2.Ria Formosa Faro Islands Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,588 reviews · 3 hours · from $47

Sail from Faro through Ria Formosa Natural Park in a small group of up to 11 people. Guides such as Antonio and Ricardo explain the birds, islands, and local history as you stop at Barreta and Farol for walks, swimming, and optional lunch. Sunset departures can add striking evening views.

“Boat tour was amazing, especially going back to Faro during sunset, it was really beautiful. And stop at the Desert Island was 10/10, beautiful nature. Also guide stop during the tour and show us birds and tell us something about them, it was good to see the local nature.”

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Ria Formosa - Boat trip to the 3 Islands: Armona | Culatra Island | Lighthouse - Armona or Praia Deserta for beach time
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Ria Formosa – Boat trip to the 3 Islands: Armona | Culatra Island | Lighthouse

3.Ria Formosa – Boat trip to the 3 Islands: Armona | Culatra Island | Lighthouse

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,872 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $48

Join Odyssey Traditional Boat Tours in Olhão for about five hours on the Ria Formosa. A captain such as William, Claudio, or Gabriel takes up to 18 people to Farol, Culatra, and Armona or Praia Deserta, with time for beaches, village walks, lunch, and local seafood.

“Tour guide was really awesome, but felt like this tour is little bit repetitive. Wish we spend more time at last island. Tour guide squeezed maximum out of this tour.”

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From Olhão: Ria Formosa 3-Island Full-Day Tour - Setting out from Olhão
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From Olhão: Ria Formosa 3-Island Full-Day Tour

4.From Olhão: Ria Formosa 3-Island Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,523 reviews · 5 hours · from $47

From Olhão, cruise with a small group of up to 17 people to Farol, Culatra, and Armona or a boat-access-only beach. Guides such as Claudio, Ivan, Sergio, and Daniel explain local fishing, oysters, clams, birds, and island life in English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish. You get time to swim, eat, walk, and explore at each stop.

“Ivan was incredible - created a great atmosphere the entire trip. All the islands were beautiful locations to stop off at and had a really great time. Would definitely recommend”

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Ria Formosa Natural Park and Islands Boat Cruise from Faro - Barreta Island: dunes, shells, and open beach
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Ria Formosa Natural Park and Islands Boat Cruise from Faro

5.Ria Formosa Natural Park and Islands Boat Cruise from Faro

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,314 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $51

From Faro Marina, you’ll cruise the tidal channels of Ria Formosa with a multilingual guide such as Antonio, Ricardo, or Miguel. You’ll stop at quiet Barreta Island for beach time and swimming, then explore Farol’s sandy lanes and houses. Afternoon departures may finish near sunset.

“This was a great cruise to 2 barrier islands. Antonio, our guide, was entertaining and informative. The cruise was for 3 hours and went through sunset. Highly recommend this experience.”

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From Faro: 4 Stops, 3 Islands in Ria Formosa Catamaran Tour - Ilha Deserta: 45 minutes at the southern edge
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From Faro: 4 Stops, 3 Islands in Ria Formosa Catamaran Tour

6.4 Stops, 3 Islands in Ria Formosa Catamaran Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,129 reviews · 5 hours · from $47

Spend about five hours crossing Faro’s Ria Formosa by catamaran with a multilingual guide such as João, Pedro, or Juan. Stop at Ilha Deserta, Ilha do Farol, Hangares, and Culatra for swimming, village walks, lighthouse views, birdwatching, and optional fresh fish or seafood lunch. Snorkel masks and life jackets are supplied.

“Very good tour with great and detailed explanation of the history of the place. Some stops could be longer to be able to also do a bit of farniente (for example the last stop we have 2h but if you eat there you lose time and one beach is 30 min away vs the other beach closer). Otherwise great tour.”

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2 Stop | 2 Islands & Ria Formosa Natural Park - From Faro - Deserta Island: open beach and time to swim
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2 Stop | 2 Islands & Ria Formosa Natural Park – From Faro

7.2 Stop | 2 Islands & Ria Formosa Natural Park – From Faro

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,045 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $42

Board a comfortable catamaran in Faro for a three-hour trip through Ria Formosa Natural Park. Stop for 45 minutes on Deserta Island and 45 minutes on Farol Island, with time to swim, use the supplied masks, walk to the lighthouse, or enjoy a drink. Guides such as Sergio, Ivan, John, and Pedro lead the boat in English.

“The guide (Adolfo) was very friendly and was explaining us from the boat. We stopped on 2 islands (deserted island and Faro Island) and were able to take pictures and even have a drink. A nice experience I recommend.Auto-translated”

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Olhão: 4-Hour Ria Formosa Islands Tour - Culatra: A Working Island, Not Just a Beach Stop
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Olhão: 4-Hour Ria Formosa Islands Tour

8.Olhão: 4-Hour Ria Formosa Islands Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 675 reviews · 4 hours · from $29Best value

Spend four hours cruising the Ria Formosa from Olhão with a live guide in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. Visit Culatra for 90 minutes, then Farol Island for 30 minutes, with views of Santa Maria Lighthouse, fishing ports, barrier islands, and tidal nature. Lunch is your choice and your own expense.

“Nice trip to the islands. Could have done with a bit longer at each place. We spent about 45 minutes killing time being shown around a fishing port, when we could have had longer either at one of the stops or on the Ria itself”

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From Peniche: Round-Trip Boat Tour of Berlengas Archipelago - Finding the Feeling Berlenga office in Peniche
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From Peniche: Round-Trip Boat Tour of Berlengas Archipelago

9.From Peniche: Round-Trip Boat Tour of Berlengas Archipelago

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 493 reviews · 4 hours · from $29

Take a 25 to 30-minute ferry from Peniche to Berlenga Grande, then spend about two to three hours exploring on your own. Walk to the fort, swim at the beach, and admire cliffs, gulls, lizards, and clear water. Boats may be catamarans, Zodiacs, or yachts, depending on season and sea conditions.

“Everything was so well organized. The beaches were stunning with cerulean blue water and it was great to see the sea caves. The stairs back up were a killer but worth it, especially if you treat yourself to a swim afterwards. There is plenty of time to do the sea caves, explore the fort, walk back to the port, and have a quick swim”

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Dolphin Watching + 2 Islands Tour - From Faro - Searching the Atlantic for dolphins
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Dolphin Watching + 2 Islands Tour – From Faro

10.Dolphin Watching + 2 Islands Tour – From Faro

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 281 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $72

Set out from Faro at 8:30 a.m. with a skipper and up to 11 other people. Cross the Ria Formosa to Cabo de Santa Maria, search the Atlantic for dolphins, seabirds, and turtles, then stop at Ilha do Farol and Ilha Deserta. Guides have included Filipe, Alex, and Thiago. Snorkel masks and life jackets are provided.

“Des marins d’une gentillesse incroyable, toujours souriant, partageant leur expérience et leurs anecdotes. Ils ont trouvé les dauphins malgré une mer un peu agitée ! Les iles sont juste magnifique ! À faire absolument !”

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From Faro: Ria Formosa Hop-On Hop-Off 3 Islands Cruise - Desert Island, the quiet first stop
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From Faro: Ria Formosa Hop-On Hop-Off 3 Islands Cruise

11.Ria Formosa Hop-On Hop-Off 3 Islands Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 272 reviews · 1 day · from $47

From Faro, ride ferry or shuttle boat between three Ria Formosa islands for one flexible day out. Relax on uninhabited Desert Island, visit Farol’s lighthouse village, and see Culatra’s fishing life and oyster farms. Boats run on a regular schedule, and staff speak English, Portuguese, French, and Spanish.

“Reliable timings for transport! Loved desert island as it was so quiet and had its own little vibe! We did the islands in order and the others were lovely but much busier!”

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Olhão: 3 Islands Guided Sightseeing Tour with Lunch - Armona Island: a gentle first stop
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Olhão: 3 Islands Guided Sightseeing Tour with Lunch

12.Olhão: 3 Islands Guided Sightseeing Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 172 reviews · 5.5 hours · from $88

Spend 5.5 hours cruising from Olhão through the Ria Formosa to Armona, Culatra, and Farol. Guides such as Antonio, Roberto, Carlos, and James lead the boat and island walks, while a fisherwoman serves a typical lunch in her home on Culatra. Expect multilingual commentary, free time, and possible swimming.

“excellent tour full of both information and laughter! highly recommend! thank you so much!”

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Islands Tour: Half Day Cruise in Ria Formosa Natural Park - Cruising through the Ria Formosa
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Islands Tour: Half Day Cruise in Ria Formosa Natural Park

13.Islands Tour: Half Day Cruise in Ria Formosa Natural Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 160 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $30

From Olhão, cruise through the Ria Formosa with a local guide and stop at Ilha da Culatra and Ilha do Farol. You get time for island walks, restaurants, and a possible lunch stop, with João among the guides praised for clear multilingual help. The boat is covered but compact, and food, drinks, and lunch cost extra.

“All of the boat trip was amazing, the tour guide was fantastic. Ria Formosa is so beautiful. Me and my daughter had a great time. Thank you”

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Olhão: Ria Formosa 3 Islands Guided Day Trip by Boat - Armona Island: sand, swimming, and a first taste of island life
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Olhão: Ria Formosa 3 Islands Guided Day Trip by Boat

14.Olhão: Ria Formosa 3 Islands Guided Day Trip by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 138 reviews · 5 hours · from $58

Join a local guide from Rota das Ilhas for a five-hour boat trip through Ria Formosa Natural Park. Visit Armona, Culatra, and Farol, see oyster and clam farms, look for birds and marine life, and swim when conditions allow. Guides including Jaime, James, Roberto, and Humberto have led recent tours in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.

“James the guide and skipper was first class, very informative about the area, patiently explaining both in French and English, very friendly and accommodating. Excellent value for money, will definitely go again on our next stay in Olhão”

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Ria Formosa Boat Sunset Islands Tour from Faro - Cruising through Ria Formosa Natural Park
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Ria Formosa Boat Sunset Islands Tour from Faro

15.Ria Formosa Boat Sunset Islands Tour from Faro

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 104 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $51

Set out from Faro with a local guide such as Miguel, Antonio, or Nico for a three-hour sunset cruise through Ria Formosa Natural Park. You will stop at Barreta and Farol islands for 45 minutes each, hear live commentary, and return by boat as the light changes. Groups are limited to 15 people.

“Superbe balade avec un capitaine au top et super cool ! Les îles de Faro sont magnifiques, dépaysement total. Je recommande vraiment !”

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New in Portugal Island Hopping

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★ 4.9From Olhão: Ria Formosa 3-Island Full-Day Tour with SunsetFrom $4713 reviews
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