ilhas desertas

informative boat trip out, expensive restaurant on island and food not great, good place for sunbathing but water very cold.

We got a speed boat service from Faro marina. There's a very nice cafe on the island (we had a super roasted pork toastie - very reasonably priced too). We did the boardwalk walk across the island. It was very peaceful and it was interesting looking at the flora. We could see lots of wading birds on the beach but hadn't taken binoculars (much to my annoyance at myself!). Lots of beautiful shells too.A lovely afternoon!

We went out on saturday and really enjoyed our boat ride to Deserta Island, very cold on the boat, saw lots of birds and the guide was very informative! the Island was very nice, own private areas and we were able to tan in the sun! on the way back we got a speedboat which took 10 minutes to get back to the port! overall a nice way to spend the day and explore the region!

A short boat trip takes you to this uninhabited island. Walk amongst the wild birds and desert flowers, eat at the restaurant or surf in the waves.

Perfect place to go if you want to switch off yourself and forget about all worries of everyday life. Beautiful wide sandy beach stretches for miles, go for a walk or just relax and watch ocean. You can start on broad-walk and come back along the beach, finish in restaurant. You can get on island by speed boat or ferry.

Short of time, I paid a quick there-and -back trip on the ferry (there is a range of different trips available from full guided nature excursions to a basic ride) to look at the strange marshland and the view of the town and coast as the sun was setting. Very atmospheric, and a longer trip than I expected. Certainly shows an unusual side of the Algarve coast, and gives a glimpse of what Faro must have looked like through the centuries as one approached it from the sea. The Island itself I only had time to look at: not my idea of Paradise, to be frank, very, very bare and desolate. Interesting and unusual, but don't expect waving palms.

Real nice and almost deserted island. Just you, the sand and the sea (and a good small restaurant with nice but a bit pricey food).

Spent the day here via the extremely friendly ferry service. It must be fantastic in the summer with an 11km beach. We were treated to some awesome waves with the high wind we had, so if like us you go in winter don't be fooled by the weather on the mainland. Glad we had fleeces & jeans on.

When they say deserted, they really mean deserted! Apart from the restaurant (which is good if a little pricey), there is splendid nothing but the long perfect sands, the birds and the waves and idle hours beach-combing for pretty shells etc. I'm assuming its much busier when it's not a cloudy morning in January however...!

We just missed the ferry and would have had to come back another time but very helpfully the organiser offered to take us out to ferry by speed boat. This was great fun and we then joined the regular ferry. Dropped off at island and had excellent lunch at restaurant and after short walk returned by ferry. Great day out and would certainly do it again.

There are several islands at Ria Formosa (all with you have three departure ports: Faro - in front of the old fortress - and Olhão - 100 mts from the Fish Market), namely CULATRA, FAROL and DESERTA. On the boat trip to them you can see beautiful landscapes and take lovely photos. The best Island is DESERTA, in fact "desert" - has only one restaurant (not quite good and too expensive). If you like nature at its wild.....this is the place. You´ll love it :)

I went ther with boat from Faro pier on Thursday 14.of January , was windy, a lot of shells on beach floor.

Amazing place to be. Miles of empty beautiful beach. Possibly one of the nicest and cleanest beaches I've ever seen. I came here in April so some activities were closed but in the summer I imagine it to be great! Would suit couples, friends and even elderly people for a quiet relaxing time.

A protected area that is only accessible by tour or ferry. If your interested in birds and nature you can do the tour if not then just pay for the ferry ride out. We were there in December so we didn't get to swim or enjoy the beach to the fullest but there is a nice boardwalk that takes you away from the main building and down to the far end of the beach. The walk is very flat. There are a couple sections of the wooden walkway that are out but you can still get around. Would have loved to be able to laze around on the sand and enjoy a swim. There is food, drink and washrooms but only one building. Could get very busy in high season!

Have been to Faro several times but have never done a boat trip until now. Decided to try the guided nature tour, cost 25 euros each. We were the only ones on the trip so the guide sat next to us! Pointed out some of the landmarks, the wildlife and talked about the history of Faro. Arrived at the island which is uninhabited apart from 1 small restaurant which was very expensive. The island has a wooden walkway to takes you to a fantastic beach, takes about 40 mins but well worth it. Luckily the day we went the weather was warm & sunny even for the end of November, so the walk was enjoyable, lovely scenery and lots of wildlife to see. For those not wanting the guided tour then a ferry also runs to the island at a cost of 10 euros. Overall a pleasant way to spend a day