Departure - Olhão

2-hour Boat Tour in the Ria Formosa Natural Park, with a 30-minute stop for sightseeing.

See the essentials of the Ria Formosa with a ride nearby Olhão, taking the opportunity to visit two of the main barrier islands, Armona Island (passing through Barra da Armona) and Culatra Island, where we will stop for 30 minutes.

• Olhão:

There are indications that the Olhão territory is populated since prehistoric times. The proximity to the inlet and the abundance of water and fish led to the establishment of the first fishermen. The development of the inshore and offshore fishing activity and the development of the commercial trades led to a great development of the town, which in 1695, was known by Nossa Senhora do Rosário from Olhão. During the French occupation of the Algarve, in 1808, the Olhão residents started a major uprising against the invaders, which led to the expulsion of them of our territory. Since that time Olhão was known as Olhão Restoration village. The small fishing village had great economic, social and urban development, in 1985 was elevated to the city, getting known for the Olhão Restoration city. There are remains of land of fishermen and canning industrials, but the crisis in the sector has led to the increase of tourism as an economic alternative.

• Armona Island:

Armona Island – is one of the five barrier islands of the Ria Formosa. Of the five, it is one of the most populated, especially during the summer, but it is also one of the most enjoyable for beach or water sports. It is possible to rent private houses on the island. There are restaurants near the port, some of them with family traditional dishes passed from generation to generation.

Island is about 9 km long, with a maximum width of 1400 m at the SW end and a long frontal dune cord from 8 to 9 m in height, robust and well-vegetated. The deposition of sediment to the west is a unique phenomenon in the entire Ria Formosa system and contributes to the narrowing of Barra da Armona.

To the west is the widest part of the island where the village of Armona is located, formed by fishermen and shellfish gatherers. Most of the houses are now used for the owners’ holidays and/or for rent in the summer period.

• Culatra Island:

Island is 7km long. The initial population came, around 1880, from neighboring villages and was dedicated to sardine fishing. The occupation, currently with about 1000 inhabitants and 350 houses, took place in this place because it is a strategic area related to fishing. They inhabited houses with wooden walls and thatched roofs.