Portugal
Island hopping in Ria Formosa nature park
By ferry from Olhão to the Portuguese Caribbean.
Island hopping: from Olhão to Farol & Culatra
From Olhão, but also from Faro, several ferries depart several times a day to nearby islands. On the recommendation of Jac & Loraine (owners of B&B Alma do Campo), we chose Ilha do Farol & Ilha da Culatra: a reminder of their Curaçao. We can confirm that not only the azure blue water, but the atmosphere as a whole gives you Caribbean vibes. Tip: parking is quite easy to find near the ferry (from Olhão). Tip tip: do you have to wait for the ferry? Then the mercado with fresh pastel de nata and coffee is just around the corner! - made possible by Eliza was Here
Ferry
The lighthouse of Farol.
To clarify: you are indeed talking about Ilha do Farol and Ilha da Culatra, but in fact, both form one island and Farol and Culatra simply refer to the two (mini)villages on the island. Although Farol is at the further end, the ferry stops there first. When you arrive before noon, it's best to get off here to then stop for a late lunch in Culatra.
Wander, splash, dive, walk, ...
The beach of the island is located on the side of the lighthouse. Turn right as soon as you walk off the pier and walk parallel to the water's edge towards the lighthouse. You don't need Google Maps here, the wooden paths and lighthouse will guide you. Just as some people like to stay under the church tower, tourists in Farol like to stay under the lighthouse. The beach is therefore very crowded here, but no worries: walk 200m along the beach towards Culatra and you'll be almost alone. Undoubtedly the most beautiful beach of our trip! Walk, splash, dive, and walk at your own pace towards Culatra. When the umbrellas start to increase after about 45 minutes, you know you've arrived in Culatra. Tip: try to go during weekdays in the summer months and not on the weekend. Tip tip: on the stretch of beach between Farol and Culatra, there are no more beach bars, so for a day at the beach, make sure to bring enough water and snacks.
Locals in Culatra
The main street here also consists of a wooden walkway. On the left and right, there are small supermarkets, food stalls, and restaurants (tip: restaurant João Farol). Have a late lunch here, stroll a bit through the alleys, and then head towards the pier for the return trip to Olhão. At the end of the day, the ferries don't stick to the schedule as much, so it's best to keep an eye on that pier. Fortunately, there is a lot to see: locals under the pergola, oyster pickers in the oyster fields, and chaos on the dock.
