Todas as idades • A sua embarcação, ao seu ritmo
Spend eight hours exploring Ria Formosa from Olhão on a private boat charter tailored to your pace—visit barrier islands, swim at secluded beaches, and watch flamingos and dolphins with a knowledgeable crew. Ideal for families, photographers, and small groups who want a custom coastal day.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
8 hours
Fitness Level
Light activity—mostly seated with short swims; suitable for people with basic mobility but expect some steps during boarding.
Wildlife
History
Ria Formosa was designated a Natural Park in 1987 and has long supported traditional fishing communities such as Olhão.
Conservation
The area is a protected park—avoid trampling dunes or seagrass, remove all waste, and follow local guidance to minimize disturbance to birds and marine life.
Slow Life Tours
Todas as idades • A sua embarcação, ao seu ritmo
Slow Life Tours is a local excursion operator based in Olhão, Faro, offering guided and private experiences on the Ria Formosa.
The company provides a variety of boat-based trips including private boat rentals (3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 hours), sunset cruises, a chef-led Sunset Tapas experience, birdwatching outings, nature & islands sails and kayak tours. Trip formats emphasize relaxed pacing, personalized stops and opportunities to swim, explore islands and photograph wildlife.
Trip summaries describe crews as friendly and list services such as provided drinks and the option to bring food for some rentals; the Sunset Tapas trip specifically features regional tapas prepared by a chef. Slow Life Tours focuses on small-group and private formats so visitors can choose beaches, channels and islands within the Ria Formosa barrier-lagoon system.
Activities suit varied interests and abilities: quiet kayak routes for up-close wildlife viewing, guided birdwatching to see flamingos and herons, and calm boat rides timed for golden-hour sunsets. Safety and respect for the natural environment are highlighted through low-impact exploration of protected channels and uninhabited beaches.
Bookings typically depart from Olhão, with itineraries exploring Ria Formosa’s islands, channels and quiet beaches. Trip durations vary from three-hour outings to eight-hour charters, allowing guests to choose half-day or full-day options.
Based In
Olhão, Faro
Gateway to the Ria Formosa
Trip Durations
3–8 Hours
Half-day to full-day charters available
Private & Custom
Private Options
Tailored boat hire and charters
Tours Offered
10 Tours
Boat, kayak, sunset and birdwatching
Reserve a sunset cruise, kayak trip or full-day charter from Olhão — customizable itineraries and small-group options.
Book by tide
Confirm tide windows with the operator—low tides limit access to some channels and sandbars.
Bring cash for island eateries
Some island restaurants and shacks prefer cash for quick lunches or fresh seafood.
Sun protection is crucial
Open water reflects sunlight—use SPF 30+, a hat, and reapply after swims.
Supervise children at all times
Children must remain with an adult on deck and during boarding; lifejackets are recommended.
Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
Protects skin from strong sun reflected off the water during long open‑boat days.
summer
Hat & polarized sunglasses
Reduce glare for safer movement on deck and better visibility for spotting wildlife.
summer
Non‑slip deck shoes
Stable footing on wet decks and when boarding or walking short piers.
Light windproof jacket
Useful for cool mornings, sea breeze and unexpected showers during shoulder seasons.
spring