Ilha da Culatra is a barrier island to the south of Olhão that boasts some of the Algarve's finest beaches. This 7km long sand island is one of the five barrier islands of the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa and protects these waterways from the powerful Atlantic Ocean.

The island's 1,000 residents are spread between three small settlements: Culatra, Farol and Hangares, but the real draw for the majority of tourists are the glorious beaches that extend along the entire southern side.

These pristine beaches are sheltered from the powerful waves and currents of the Atlantic Ocean, making them ideal for families. The Praia da Ilha da Culatra is the main beach of Olhão and is where the residents (and tourists) flock to on sunny days. Culatra is connected to Olhão by ferry which operates regularly during the summer but much less frequently during the winter.

The Ilha da Culatra is part of the Ria Formosa National Park, and strict conservation measures have preserved the island's natural character. These measures mean that the island has no paved roads or cars, and the only motorised vehicles are the tractors used to haul the fishing boats out of the water.

The traditional fishing village of Culatra offers authentic charm, with a large fishing fleet and harbour along with a selection of restaurants serving fresh local catch. In contrast, Farol caters more to tourism and is a popular location for the Portuguese to own holiday homes, and to spend their summer months here.

The eastern side of the island features pristine, deserted beaches that remain virtually empty even during peak summer months.

With its golden sands and calm waters, the Ilha da Culatra is a wonderful destination for a beach day trip

The village of Farol is named after its giant lighthouse

Wooden walkways cross the island and protect the fragile dune based ecosystems

The fishing fleet of Culatra

Part of the fun of a beach trip to Culatra is the ferry ride through the calm waterways of the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa

There are no paved roads in Culatra, and the only tracks are from tractors

Below is an interactive map of the Ilha da Culatra, which also includes the ferry route from Olhão (details in the next section) and the main footpaths.

Legend: 1) Culatra 2) Farol 3) Hangares 4) Santa Maria Lighthouse 5) Farol beach 6) Ilha da Culatra beach 7) Ponta do Farol (sandbar) 8) Farol ferry pier 9) Culatra ferry pier 10) Olhão ferry pier

A colony of Great Cormorants (black birds) rests on the quiet eastern beaches of the Ilha da Culatra, joined by a few Little Egrets (white birds). Cormorants are skilled fishing birds that can often be seen diving for prey in the lagoon's rich waters or gathering in groups like this to dry their wings on the barrier islands.

The ferry to the Ilha da Culatra depart from Olhão. The exact location is the Cais de Embarque de Olhão which lies on the harbour front (GPS 37.0226, -7.8369).

The ferry serves both Culatra and Farol, and the route stops at Culatra first before heading on to Farol. During the summer there are more than ten daily departures but drop to only a handful in the winter.

The departure times (and importantly the time of last departure) change monthly, so always check the schedule, posted at the ticket office. During the summer there can be very high demand for the return ferries, after everyone has spent the day on the beach. The ferry to Culatra takes 30 minutes and Farol is 45 minutes.

Passenger fares to Culatra are €2.10/€1.00 (adult/children) one-way, while return tickets cost €4.20/€2.00 respectively. The longer route to Farol has slightly higher fares, €2.40/€1.20 (adult/children) one-way and €4.80/€2.40 for a return.

There are no ferry services from Faro, so you must either hire a private ferry taxi (20€ return) or join an organised tour.
Ferry taxi from Faro: www.passeios-ria-formosa.com/

The ferry to Culatra at the Cais de Embarque in Olhão

Expect a long queue during the summer

The island's primary attraction is its glorious sandy beaches and tranquil waters. At Praia da Ilha da Culatra, visitors can hire sunbeds and parasols (€15 per day) and enjoy refreshments at two beach bars, Molhe Leste and Sol da Culatra. Lifeguards supervise the beach throughout the summer months.

For those seeking solitude, a short walk either east or west from the main boardwalk leads to stretches of beach that remain virtually deserted even during peak season.

For more energetic visitors, scenic walking routes connect the villages. The paths primarily follow elevated wooden boardwalks, designed to protect the delicate dune ecosystem. One such route is the PR1 FAR, which leads from Culatra village to Ilha da Culatra beach before continuing eastward to a shallow lagoon overlooking the Ria Formosa waterways.

For a scenic coastal walk, take the ferry to Farol and follow the footpaths to Culatra, where you can catch the return ferry to Olhão.

The lagoons of the Ria Formosa National Park are ideal for snorkelling due to their crystal-clear waters and rich marine ecosystem. The protected waters host an abundance of sea life, including seahorses, octopuses, starfish and various species of fish, while the seagrass meadows provide nursery grounds for many juvenile marine species. The best snorkelling is to the northeast of the island near the end of the PR1 FAR footpath.

The deserted eastern side of Culatra is ideal for snorkelling or kayaking

The village of Culatra has humble origins, beginning as an isolated community for people with leprosy who were forced to separate from the mainland towns. By the 19th century, the village had evolved into a thriving sardine fishing community, with simple wooden houses topped with thatched roofs clustering around the natural harbour.

Today, the village maintains its traditional charm, with whitewashed fishermen's cottages surrounding the busy harbour where local boats still bring in their daily catch.

Most visitors pass through the village on the walk (1.2km) from the ferry pier to the Praia da Ilha da Culatra beach. This route follows a wooden boardwalk that meanders through the dunes for about 600m.

Culatra is a hard-working fishing village, and one of few places that has not be altered by tourism in the Algarve

Thanks to its thriving fishing harbour and steady stream of beachgoers and tour boat visitors, Culatra offers several excellent dining options for both lunch and dinner. For evening dining, be sure to check the last ferry departure time back to the mainland.

The three standout restaurants are João Farol, Aqua Chill Seafood and Marretas.

João Farol is a family-run restaurant celebrated for serving some of the island's best grilled sardines, alongside other fresh seafood dishes including their notable cataplana (traditional seafood stew), all served with classic accompaniments like mountain salad and garlic-seasoned potatoes. Though simple and unpretentious in style, the restaurant offers quality food at reasonable prices, making it a popular spot that fills up quickly during peak times.

Aqua Chill Seafood Bar & Restaurant stands out from traditional island establishments with its innovative menu featuring dishes like octopus tempura, soft-shell crab with spicy mango, and shrimp curry with coconut rice, all served in an attractive shaded terrace setting. The restaurant's friendly service, high-quality food presentation, and fresh ingredients make it a popular choice for both lunch and dinner.

Marretas offers an authentic island dining experience, specialising in fresh seafood caught daily by local fishermen and grilled to perfection, with specialties including tuna, seabass, sardines, and clams. The laid-back atmosphere, fair prices, and stunning location make it a must-visit place on Culatra Island.

Located on the western tip of Ilha da Culatra, Farol takes its name from the lighthouse (farol in Portuguese) that has guided vessels through these waters since 1851.

The Farol de Santa Maria lighthouse was Portugal's first lighthouse of the modern era and built to 34 metres. Later it was extended to its current height of 46 metres and there are 220 steps up to its lamp. The lighthouse remains traditionally operated, with keepers still living on-site—an increasingly rare practice in modern maritime navigation.

Farol is predominantly a collection of holiday homes that spring to life during the summer months, standing in sharp contrast to its tranquil winter character. Unlike its neighbouring communities of Culatra and Hangares, Farol has no permanent fishing community and focuses primarily on tourism.

The main beach, Praia do Farol, proudly holds Blue Flag status and extends along the Atlantic coast. Natural dunes frame the wide expanse of white sand, while the crystal-clear waters offer excellent swimming conditions during summer months.

The majority of the houses in Farol are holiday homes

Hangares is a tiny village located on the northern side of the Ilha da Culatra, sitting between Culatra and Farol.

The site was originally developed a seaplane base and Portuguese naval facility. Its military significance stemming from its sheltered position within the Ria Formosa lagoon system, where the calm waters proved ideal for early 20th-century seaplanes.

The settlement's name (Hangers) derives from the aircraft hangars built here during the First World War (1914-1918), when the area served as the Algarve Maritime Aviation Centre. Military activities continued until 1998, with the Portuguese Navy using the surrounding beaches for training exercises. Evidence of this past remains visible in the form of barbed wire sections along the shore. A miniature Tellier T3 seaplane monument and centenary plaque provide historical context for visitors interested in the area's aviation heritage.

Fishermen started to reside within the area after WWI, building basic wooden structures which have transformed into the present-day coastal houses seen today. Unlike the main settlements of Culatra and Farol, Hangares has no regular ferry service, and even power comes from solar panels or generators.

This relative isolation has preserved the authentic character of Hangares. The settlement offers a quieter alternative to the busier sections of the island, making it particularly appealing to visitors seeking to explore beyond the usual tourist paths.