Ria Formosa - Algarve

Renown worldwide for its magnificent golden sand beaches and mild climate, the Algarve also offers one of Portugal’s Seven Natural Wonders – the Ria Formosa Natural Park, a rich environmental and socio-economic heritage.

Geographicaly located at the southernmost point of Portugal, the Cape Saint Mary, it has a high biodiversity and a natural richness that is of extreme importance for wildlife, especially for water birds. Reflecting its international importance, the Ria Formosa lagoon has been included since 1980 in the prominent Ramsar Convention, a standing position given to the most important wetlands on heart. Additionally in Europe, the lagoon was declared an Important Bird Area (IBA) and included in Natura 2000 network of special protected sites.

This natural system is composed by a cord of sandy peninsulas and Islands that separate the lagoon from the Atlantic Ocean. On the inside, beautiful landscapes may be observed, from natural and wild paradise settings, to places where fishing communities have established and live from the lagoon's natural resources since ancient times.

Alongside the pleasures of the sunny beaches and the mild Atlantic Ocean, the Ria Formosa Lagoon is indeed worth discovering when you visit algarve.

For you to experience the diversity and beauty of this Natural Park, we have prepared a set of boat trips for exploring the sheltered waters of the lagoon, aboard our comfortable vessel “The Algarvian Queen”. An experienced crew is ready to cruise you safely aroud the Islands of Culatra, Armona, Deserta Island and Faro beach.