Things to do in

Olhão

Get your adrenaline thrills with a full-day entrance ticket to the Algarve Zoomarine Amusement Park, located near Albufeira. See a spectacular dolphin presentations that is both educational and entertaining – get close to sea lions and seals, and walk among birds of prey and tropical birds in an enchanted forest. Learn about the oceans in the aquarium, an educational tour to the amazing underwater world. The pedagogical area has more than 20 ecosystems, distributed according to the central theme. Finish off by riding the Rapid River rafts, a fun and exciting ride. Relax at the Zoomarine Beach, a new aquatic fun area, where you will find a wave pool surrounded by white sand, water slides, swimming pools and an aquatic playground.

Book your day ticket here for the Aquashow Park, Portugal’s largest and most popular water and thematic park. There’s plenty to enjoy and enough thrills to keep the kids happy all day. You’ll find an amazing variety of slides for all ages: • The 32-meter-high Free Fall/Kamikaze, a combination of 2 slides giving you the sensation of surfing on a big wave • The fabulous Speed Race, where you can compete with other guests to see who is the fastest slider • The White Fall which invites the bravest for a unique slide • The Wild Snake offering a ride into the dark The little ones can safely play in the water in their own mini-park world. There are slides and other water attractions to ensure they have lots of fun. For those looking to relax, the park offers a swimming pool, a Jacuzzi, and green areas with sunbeds. One of the park’s main attractions is the wave pool, simulating real sea waves. You’ll also find the biggest Water Coaster in Europe, reaching a maximum speed of 70 kilometers per hour. The Air Race is a thematic ride that has you sitting inside a real airplane doing aerobatics and stunts. Top Swing is one of the favorite thematic attractions, offering a new and unique experience.  In the show area you can take in shows featuring birds of prey, exotic birds, and reptiles. When you finally realize that you’re hungry you’ll find some good meal choices at one of the snack bars or BBQs. You can also find a small souvenir shop, changing rooms, lockers, and other facilities. Due to COVID-19, AquaShow Park is currently operating at a lower capacity. After booking, you'll receive a link to check-in at AquaShow Park and choose a date to visit.

Spend a day at Slide & Splash in Lagoa, filled with slides, pools, and aquatic attractions. Younger kids will love the fantasy water world of Tropical Paradise, while thrill-seekers can ride the gravity-defying Big Wave. Take a break from the slides and relax in the Jacuzzi or the giant Laguna pool.   Be amazed by the colorful lights and music as you slide down Disco River, a real sliding discotheque. Aside from the aquatic amusements, the park’s 10 hectares are filled with different leisure areas, grassy lawns, restaurants, shows with animals, massages, and a fish spa. Enjoy a fun day out for the whole family.

When you’re in Portugal make sure to experience this exciting catamaran boat to Deserta and Farol islands that will take you through the spectacular nature of the Ria Formosa. Come see why this region was elected one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Portugal. Depart from the Marina of Faro sailing slowly through the channels of the Ria Formosa to fully enjoy the beautiful landscape. Along the tour you will see birds like the Grey Heron, the White Stork and many other birds that use this area as a feeding habitat. As you approach the islands and beaches you see the lighthouse of Culatra Island where you make our first stop. Looking around, one can observe the hard work of the people in the oyster and clam farms. A closer look towards the coastline and you will notice the market of the city of Olhão - an important fishing town. And off toward the ocean you can glimpse one of the most important sea entrances of the Ria Formosa. The next stop is Farol Island. Here, you can enjoy a walk around the streets of this small but friendly community. When passing by the lighthouse, go on until the very end to admire an extensive beach of fine white sand washed by calm warm waters. Leave the Farol Island and make your second stop at Deserta Island. This island is also known as Barreta Island. Here lies the most southern point of Portugal - the Santa Maria Cape. In this second stop you can choose to explore the fauna and flora of the island by an easy walk or simply enjoy the sunshine and bathe in the clear waters of the beach.

Set sail from the port of Olhão and travel through the Ria Formosa National Park. Discover beautiful scenery and rich biodiversity with your expert crew. Learn more about the national park and local culture with your expert captain. Cruise by marshes, barrier islands, islets, dunes, sand bars, and saltpans which are home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. Spot local birds, marine life, and beds of clams and oysters. Stop at Culatra Island where 1000 people live and no cars are allowed; experience this European sustainability project that will be completed by 2030. Then make a short visit to Praia Deserta and enjoy the serenity of a tranquil location accessible only by boat. While there, enjoy some time for a swim and take photos before returning to Olhão.

Navigate the waterways between the barrier islands of Ria Formosa off the coast of Olhão and discover a paradise of nature. Enjoy great views of the Farol Bar and Santa Maria Lighthouse on Farol Island. Stop for lunch in the fishing village of Culatra, home to about 1,000 residents with shops, a school, church, medical office, and even its own football pitch. Savor the local fresh fish at a typical restaurant or go for a nice picnic on the beach. Continue to Armona Bay and island, where you will stop for another 30 minutes to appreciate the nature. Return to Olhão, passing close to several tuna factories and the fishing harbor. See a larger area of Ria Formosa than most other tours, and benefit from the expert knowledge of your skipper to learn about the flora and fauna.

Begin your island-hopping trip with your captain who will act as your tour guide. First, stop at Lighthouse Island, where you can visit its village, get a drink, go to the beach, and explore the neighborhoods of beautiful houses. Continue on to Culatra Island for a few hours to take in a picnic lunch, or you can visit one of the local restaurants to dine at. Culatra Island has beautiful swimming areas too if you prefer to play in the water instead of eating here.  Next, you’ll arrive at either Armona Island or Deserta Island, depending on the season. In the summertime, Deserta Island hosts a beautiful beach, wild with no buildings. Explore either the Ria Formosa for a swim, or take in the Atlantic Ocean side of the island.

Visit a traditional cork factory and learn more about the processes involved in preparing and packing cork with your audio guide tour. Next, visit a cork shop, where you can see some of the latest uses of cork in fashion accessories made of cork fabric. Cork is the bark of the cork oak, a noble tree with very special characteristics that grows in the Mediterranean and, most particularly, in Portugal, where there are more than 720 thousand hectares of cork forests, as well as a cork industry of considerable economic importance.

After boarding your boat, head out into the sheltered waters of Ria Formosa. Depending on the season you will get to discover one of two islands. In May, stop on Armona Island and drink a coffee on the beach or take a swim and explore the island. From May to September your first stop will be at Praia Deserta, one of the most pristine beaches in the Algarve. From the beach, head to the village of Ilha da Armona and enjoy a refreshing drink while you contemplate the amazing views. The final stop on your tour is at a deserted beach on Culatra Island, a small community of 1000 people that is to be a sustainability project by 2030. Here you can relax and, in summer, enjoy some swimming. After about 40 minutes to enjoy the beach and the sunset, you'll board your boat for the return trip to Olhão.

Discover 3 of Ria Formosa's barrier islands and admire the wonderful world of the fauna and flora of this part of the Algarve coast. Travel by hop-on hop-off boat and enjoy the flexibility to choose the time you want to spend at each of the islands. A professional team of boat skippers will be here to guide you and provide all the necessary information ensuring you'll have a pleasant and enjoyable stay. With regular departures scheduled from the pier in Faro, aboard a speedboat or ferry boat heading in direction of Desert Island which will be your first stop. Spend the day exploring the only uninhabited island and enjoy the tranquility of this peaceful place. Relax on the beach, observe the wildlife or take a walking tour to Cape Saint Mary. Swim in the ocean’s clear waters, sunbathe or enjoy a memorable meal at Estaminé during your visit to Desert Island. Next, visit Farol Island and the small village of Farol. Take a stroll along the sea wall, visit the island's namesake lighthouse or enjoy a drink at one of the beach bars. On the last stop of the tour, visit the small fishing village of Culatra Island. During low tide, observe the oyster farms that are exported internationally. Visit the church and school, meet the locals, and observe traditional fishing gear before heading back to Faro.