Olhão

Armona Island: The island has about 9 km long, maximum width of 1400m on the SW end, and a frontal dune 8-9 m tall. The dune line is robust and well-vegetated till Fuzeta. The deposition of sediment to the west is a unique phenomenon in the whole system of Ria Formosa and contributes to the narrowing of Armona Inlet. The widest part of the island is on the west extreme, where we find the village of Armona, formed by fishermen and shellfishes. Nowadays most of the houses serve as holiday homes for owners and/or renting houses in the summer period.

Culatra Island: The island has 7km long and the initial population came in the 80s from nearby villages dedicated to the fishing of sardines from the fishing frame. The village, currently with 1000 inhabitants and 350 houses, occurred as a strategic area for fishing.

Hangares: The existing population is due to the former base of Portuguese Naval Aviation constituted by seaplanes to watch over the coast. They had two hangars (large warehouses) that gave name to the place. Nowadays there are only traces from the base form by the foundation of the hangars The settlement is still recognized for its chapel, Our Lady of the Rosary of the Hangares.

Farol (Lighthouse): The lighthouse on the island was built in 1851 giving the name to this population that developed later around it forming a cluster of houses. Now has a high occupational index but rather seasonal. It is a fishing village made up of modest houses, sandy streets and holiday accommodations facing the estuary. Tourism is now one of the main resources.

Desert or Barreta Island: 8 km long and 70-700 m width. Has very low human occupation. To the east along the lagoon, you will find some huts of small fishing storage, a restaurant and a beach with concession next to the bar Faro-Olhão. It has a wooden walkway that runs along the side of the lagoon and ends at the sea coast beach.