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Boat trip from Faro to Ilha Deserta by Ferry

By Animaris Ilha Deserta Boat Tours
Take a break from the crowds on land during a cruise that lets you discover the unspoiled Isla Deserta (Deserted Island). By getting out on the water, you’ll increase your chances of spotting diverse bird species and admire views of Ria Formosa Natural Park from a different perspective.
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Ages 0-99, max of 97 per group
Duration:1–8 hours
Start time: Check availability
Ticket type:Mobile
Portuguese, English, French, Spanish
Highlights
  • Spot more birds than you would on land on a cruise
  • An ideal choice for wildlife lovers
  • Spend time away from the crowds on a deserted island
  • Choose a departure time to suit your schedule
  • All taxes, fees, and handling charges
What's not included
  • Food and drinks
  • Lunch
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Guide
Departure details
  • Cais das Portas do Mar, R. da Porta Nova, 8000-250 Faro, Portugal Also know as "Cais da Porta Nova". You'll find our staff dressed in yellow shirts.
Return details
  • Returns to original departure point
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Infant seats available
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 26612P4
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • May be operated by a multi-lingual service
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 97 travelers
  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
What you can expect during your visit
  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
  • Contactless payment for gratuities and add-ons
  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
  • Gear/equipment sanitized between use
  • Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Community
Ask a questionWrite a review
  • Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
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: 26612P4
Itinerary
  • You'll start at
    Cais das Portas do Mar
    R. da Porta Nova, 8000-250 Faro, Portugal
    Also know as "Cais da Porta Nova". You'll find our staff dressed in yellow shirts.
    See address & details
  • 1
    Animaris Ilha Deserta Boat Tours
    Stop: 4 hours
    See details
  • 2
    Animaris Ilha Deserta Boat Tours
    Stop: 4 hours
    See details
  • You'll return to the starting point
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About the operator

Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator.

By: Animaris Ilha Deserta Boat Tours
1,768
ConfusedVancouver
ConfusedVancouver
00
I liked the trip
Well organised, clean and attentive to our on/off needs for old persons. Polite and well versed in languages.
968Couple
968Couple
00
Great way to see islands
Great way to see islands. There was a particularly knowledgeable and engaging guide who stood out from the rest. He…
Alastair M
Alastair M
00
Great day out!
Ferry transfer takes about 30 mins to island where you enjoy the beautiful sands and swim in the sea. lifeguards ar…
Global41351405879
Global41351405879
00
Island hopping at its best!
The hop on hop off speed boat experience gave us the opportunity to explore all 3 islands at leisure. We swam, enjo…
mira484
mira484
00
Good
Very good! Quickly got us between islands in an efficient manner. The boat drivers were very friendly and helpful.…
runakot
runakot
00
Best last minute decision
I got to Faro and was told about these beaches and it really felt odd and tedious to get a ferry to a beach. So I w…
Sightsee68264745131
Sightsee68264745131
00
Unforgettable experience
Amazing expierence!! A must do for everyone who is in Faro, fairly priced fro 30€ prr person fro the whole day od h…
stevejnb
stevejnb
00
More respect for your customer is required.
When you put on a yellow shirt you represent your company, which receives the majority of revenue from tourists - u…
Iris M
Iris M
00
Excited speed boats for hop on hop off island trip
We had a very good time on the hop on hop off island trip. The speed boats are fantastic! The staffs are all very n…
Thomas_travels_666
Thomas_travels_666
00
The best island experience in Algarve
Everything about my experience with animaris was perfect. It’s the third time I go to them to visit the nearby isla…
Simon T
Simon T
00
Brillant trip
In the dock area there are a few companies vrying for business. We chose Animaris after being recommended. Took th…
Trek171313
Trek171313
00
Great
The tour is great. The boat took me to the island and I got to enjoy 2-3 hours on the most beautiful island the o…
I2527HAdanielleb
I2527HAdanielleb
00
Wonderful trip to a beautiful island
Our guide, Thomas, was knowledgeable and entertaining throughout the beautiful tour of the marshes and wetlands. W…
PatrickC519
PatrickC519
00
The beauty of nature
We took the combo Eco system/bird watching and 3 beaches with Hop on/ Hop off islands and had a beautiful professio…
gingysdad
gingysdad
00
A trip not to be missed
We loved our hop on hop off trip round the islands in Faro. Such a great way to see the beautiful islands and beach…
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
70 reviews
Excellent
44
Very good
18
Average
6
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Monika Nawrot
2 contributions
Peaceful and relaxing day on beautiful island
This is just a ferry ride from Faro to this beautiful and so deserted island, but that’s exactly what we needed on our penultimate day of vacation. The staff of the pier was very helpful and friendly. We booked via Trip Advisor which didn’t give us an option of choosing the return time. I suggest you give yourself a couple of hours on this island, so that you can enjoy the beach and the ocean, walk around it and get to the most south point in Portugal and maybe even have a beer at the one and only restaurant (although very expensive). We arrived at 3.45 and had the return ferry at 7pm, winch frankly wasn’t enough time, but of course this depends on your plans. It’s a truly deserted island, so not everyone might enjoy the nothingness of the surroundings. It’s quiet and totally relaxing. Overall a great day! Oh and don’t forget about the sun protection as there is nowhere to hide from the heat!
Written May 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Excursion641991
2 contributions
Great trip
Nov 2021 • Couples
We took this bout tour with Luis who was very kind and helpful! The directions and instructions on the meeting point were very clear and easy to understand. We were able to easily book a return journey when we arrived. The crew were all very kind and timely. The boat journey was around 40 minutes and Luis was quick to spot any wildlife. The island itself was beautiful we walked around the island and spent time on the gorgeous beach. There is only one restaurant on the island which serves delicious fresh fish but be prepared to pay tourist prices! Would definitely recommend this trip for such good value!
Written November 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alistair P
Herefordshire, UK87 contributions
Beautiful island peaceful bliss
May 2022
Idyllic. This is worth every euro. The cost was 5€ each way, credit card payment accepted, no more than 45 minutes. The trip each way was easy going, calm waters and picturesque. On return trip, the ferry changed route to follow a dolphin and the team explained more about the local bird life etc. the island is great. You can walk along a very long beach, or find a quiet spot to watch the world go by. The island has plenty of gulls. I would go here again as the beach was fantastic, quiet, empty, clean and stunning. Book in advance to get your right slots. Personal view, I wouldn’t go via speed boat. The bar on island is pricey and sangria wasn’t great, more ice than anything else!
Written May 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gannet
3 contributions
Enjoy the guided tour
Nov 2021
Great trip from just by the old city of Faro right out to the island. Shorter than 45 mins and then the amazing Ihla Deserta, so much to see; both botany and zoology! Take the board walk. On the ferry our guide was a trained marine biologist so we could enjoy the whole trip from start to finish seeing curlews, spoonbills and storks amongst others.
Written November 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Joanna C
2 contributions
Amazing
Jan 2020 • Couples
Our guide Thomas was incredibly knowledgeable (he's studied marine biology locally), friendly, his English was excellent and he gave us so much information about the local habitat, birds and marine wildlife. He even had a spare pair of binoculars which was very helpful as we'd forgotten ours. Definitely take binoculars, there's so much to see. Brilliant tour, thank you so much!
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Romina Manuel
Dear joannacC6010OI, We are very grateful for your lovely review, it's so nice to get feedback from clients :) Our team, and Thomas especially, appreciate your testimony. It will always be a pleasure to meet you again. Kind Regards, Romina Manuel
Written January 6, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
dukieboy
Mansfield, UK147 contributions
A pleasant but basic trip
We just wanted a brief trip out on the water to try and spot some birdlife which we did (though no doubt from a further distance than the smaller, guided tours do). This ferry had a toilet on board. We didn't leave the ferry when it arrived at the island after approximately 40 minutes (which didn't look very appealing from the approach the ferry made) and stayed for the immediate return trip. It was only €5 each way, There was no commentary. We just wished the skipper would have concentrated more on his sailing duties and looking after his passengers than scrolling on his phone...
Written October 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
KKL
2 contributions
Fabulous
Jan 2020 • Couples
Thomas was our lovely guide and we were the only people on the RIB on the way out. He was incredibly knowledgeable and between him and my husband they spotted 30 different species of bird (Thomas we saw the Osprey on the return trip) plus huge barrel jellyfish. We came back via the ferry after a brief visit to the Deserted Island. Absolutely Fabulous
Written January 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Romina Manuel
Dear Hillheadtravel, We are very grateful for your lovely review, it's so nice to get feedback from clients. Our team, and Thomas especially, appreciate your testimony. It will always be a pleasure to meet you again :)
Written January 14, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Vicki D
2 contributions
Nice trip
Jul 2018 • Family
The boat itself is quite bigger and more beautiful then the one on the picture. We took the ferry, the kids liked it a lot. It takes about 40min to get to the island. The island itself is very beautiful, only sand and a couple of umbrellas. One big restaurant which is quite expensice and public toilets. We had to book our return so we stayed only 2 hours but we could have stayed longer. Since the water is very cold we didnt swim but for those who dont matter the water temperature, it can be quite a swim since the water is very clean. There is a path to walk but not over the entire island so if you want to go all around by foot make sure to bring good shoes.
Written July 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Andrew R
79 contributions
Cheap way to visit Ilha Deserta
Feb 2019 • Couples
The cheapest way to see the Ilha Deserta is to take the ferry (5 Euros each way). This option can be combined with a speedy RIB (rigid inflatable boat) option (10 Euros each way). We hammered it out and cruised leisurely back: 30 Euros all in and half the price of the tours quoted by other operators on the promenade. If you don't want to spend hours nature watching or touring the lagoons, take this option because you see more than enough this way. Just a note: if you want to walk round the island via the boardwalk, stop for photos at the driftwood attraction and walk back along the beach, 1 hour at a good pace is the minimum time you'll need on the island when booking ferries. Allow 2 hours and you can grab a drink / bite to eat. Well worth the trip!
Written February 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rita S
Thank you so much for taking the time to recommend Animaris Ilha Deserta, your review is very kind and provides such useful information to future clients. We look forward to your next visit :)
Written May 29, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LuckySpade1983
Willenhall, UK120 contributions
Great for families
Oct 2018 • Family
I went to Ilha deserta with this company with my children and I am glad I chose them. The other options were more expensive, and as I was taking my children U had to keep cost in mind. The boat doesn't look like the cheaper option and my children thought it looked really cool. The crew were all pleasant and helpful when boarding/dismantling and the boat was clean, it even has recycling facilities on-board. I will use them again next time I am in Faro.
Written November 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MartaVargas
Hello, LuckySpade1983 Thank you so much for taking the time to recommend Animaris, our boat tours are very popular among families! We are glad your family enjoyed the Ferry boat to Ilha Deserta, and we look forward to your next visit :) Kind regards, Rita Sampaio
Written December 10, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Boat trip from Faro to Ilha Deserta by Ferry | Portugal

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