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Birdwatching Boat Tours in the Algarve

35.00
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Important information:

• Bring plenty of water to drink to avoid dehydration.
• A rucksack or backpack is recommended to carry a small snack, sunglasses, hat, a good sun cream and a camera.
• Comfortable clothing and flat shoes recommended. A wind-stopper and a waterproof coat are useful, specially during the coldest period of the year.

  • Location: MEETING POINT - DOCA DE FARO
  • Duration: 2H
  • Seats available: -
  • Min. capacity: 2
Description:

An ecotourism experience in the Algarve through Ria Formosa on board a boat with departures from Faro

Embark on an ecotourism experience in Ria Formosa on board a confortable pontoon boat.

In the company of a nature tour guide, on this boat trip you will discover why Ria Formosa was elected one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Portugal. And because the birds are one of the highlights of this Park they deserve special attention.

Considered one of the most important wetlands for aquatic birds in Portugal, during the tour we observe birds like the White Stork (Ciconia ciconia), Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) and the Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia).

Waders are most abundant especially during winter, although birds like the Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus), the Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) and the Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) are a constant presence. The trip continues towards the islands of the Natural Park through oyster and clams farms.
 

Here you will have the opportunity to see one of the most important economical activities in the Algarve and also very interesting species such as the Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa), the Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) and many others.

Towards the point where the lagoon meets the sea, we make a stop so you may enjoy this small paradise. This is an important reproduction area for the Little Tern (Sterna albifrons) and the Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus). During wintertime we often observe the Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis) and the Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus).

During our trip back we will have many opportunities to observe other species while our boat sails calmly through the channels of this Natural Park in direction to the city of Faro.

Spoken languages:
  • en English

  • pt Portuguese

  • fr French

  • es Spanish

Includes:

• 2-hour boat trip (includes a stop of 15 to 20 minutes in a deserted beach)
• Use of binoculars
• Life vests
• Local guide
• Live commentary on board

NOT INCLUDED

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Transportation to/from attractions
• Food and drinks
• Tips (Optional)
• All other extras

Conditions:

• A minimum of 2 adults per booking is required.
• A maximum of 11 people per booking.
• Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• May be operated by a multi-lingual guide.
• Wheelchair accessible.
• Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
• Safety comes first, please follow the instructions and recommendations of your skipper, especially those relating to safety issues.
• Trips may be amended due to weather conditions or the physical condition of the participants should our skippers deem this advisable.
• This is an activity subject to weather conditions. The decision to leave or return earlier than expected, due to unexpected weather conditions, is solely to the skipper.
• The schedules of departures and arrivals, the duration and itineraries of the activities are subject to change without previous notice due to security determined by the weather conditions, tides and/or other circumstances beyond our control.

Cancelation policy
BOOKINGS
 
  • Bookings of activities and/ or services may be done in a proper form on the website, by email, by phone, through authorized agents and/ or Formosamar, Lda Points of Sale.
  • For groups of 20 or more participants, bookings should be done as soon as possible and at least 24 hours prior to the date of activity and/ or service.
  • All bookings are subject to availability.

CANCELLATIONS AND NO SHOWS
 
  • Formosamar reserves the right to cancel the activity and/ or services by reasons which fall outside the responsibility of the company. We cannot be held responsible for  cancellations due to the following reasons: natural disasters, climate conditions, system failures or any other circumstances beyond the company's control and also whenever the safety and integrity of participants, equipment and/ or goods is at risk. The client will be fully refunded, without any compensation or indemnity.
  • The cancellation of an activity and/ or services by the participant may be done through a proper form on the website, by email or by phone up until 24 hours prior to the start of the activity and/ or services.
  • For groups of 10 or more participants, the cancellation of an activity and/ or services may be done through a proper form on the website, by email or by phone up until 48 hours prior to the start of the activity and/ or services.
  • If the cancellation does not comply with the requirements above, the activity and/ or service will be charged at the full rate.
  • Once the activity and/or service has started, with the agreement of the participants and the safety and integrity of participants, equipment and/ or goods is not at risk, in the event of a request from the participant(s) to stop or interrupt it due to wind, temperature, rainfall, waves or other factors beyond the company's control, no refund, indemnity or compensation will apply and the activity and/ or service will proceed its usual course.
  • In the case of equipment rental, cancellations should be done up until 24 hours prior to its start, otherwise it will be charged at the full rate. In case of deliberate cancellation by the client, Formosamar will charge the period of use of the equipment or its minimum rental period.
  • The rental and hire of equipment and/ or goods is subject to its own terms and conditions.
  • In the event of no show, the full amount charged is non-refundable.

USE OF BOATS AND/ OR EQUIPMENT
 
  • Formosamar reserves the right to change the boats and/or equipment to carry out the activity and/ or service, due to system failures or adverse weather conditions. In that case, another boat and/ or equipment will be used and we will charge the rate and/or prices previously agreed.
     
MEETING POINT AND DEPARTURE TIME
 
  • The meeting point and the departure time are indicated on the voucher or on the booking confirmation document.
  • Delay of the participants may imply an exclusion from the activity. To prevent the latter from happening please be so kind to be at the designated meeting point on time. There is a maximum tolerance of 10 minutes.
  • Departure time is subject to changes due to weather conditions, system failures or any other other circumstances beyond the company's control.
  • Whenever a stop or free time is planned during the activity, the crew, skipper and/ or tour guide will inform you of the following location and time of departure. Please be at the location 5 minutes before the announced time of departure.
  • Formosamar reserves the right to suspend a participant from a activity if the times of departure are not respected. In this case no refund or compensation is available.
  • Formosamar reserves the right to suspend a participant from an activity and/ or service if the participant has no physical condition to carry it out or if the participant does not respect the safety recommendations and instructions.

ITINERARIES AND INFORMATION IN WEBSITE, CATALOGS, LEAFLETS, BROCHURES AND OTHER MATERIAL
 
  • The itineraries and the exact timings at the several points of the activity and/ or service are only indicative. They are subject to change due to weather conditions and/ or the physical conditions of the participants and can be amended if the person representing Formosamar deem this advisable.
  • The schedules of departures and arrivals, durations and itineraries of the activities and/ or services are subject to change without prior notice due to safety and security determined by weather conditions, winds, tides and/or any other circumstances beyond the control of Formosamar, Lda.

CODE OF CONDUCT
 
  • Formosamar, Lda. promotes ecotourism activities and nature tours of natural, cultural and environmental interest. We expect our guests and participants to respect the visited natural areas and the local lifestyles. We respect and follow the guidelines of the ICNF's code of conduct and we reserve the right to suspend or cancel an activity if we find the participants' behavior is in conflict with this philosophy and code of conduct.

PHOTOS AND VIDEOS
 
  • During the course of our activities and/ or services we can take photos and videos to promote our company. If you do not want this information to be used, please be so kind to previously inform our staff.

COMPLAINTS
 
  • Formosamar, Lda. has available a complaints book and reports directly to ASAE.

LICENCES AND INSURANCES
 
  • Formosamar is a fully licensed company with the registration No. 123/2009 of the Tourism Board of Portugal.
  • Our activities are certified as Ecotourism by the ICNF - the Portuguese Institute for Conservation of Nature and Forests.
  • We have all the mandatory insurance legislation.

OMISSION AND OTHER QUESTIONS
 
  • Omissions and other questions not covered by these terms and conditions will be discussed with Formosamar and are subjected to the applicable Portuguese law.
what clients say
Pierre267

Our two hour trip went too quickly. The boat was very comfortable, and the guide very knowledgeable. We saw may species of birds, and learnt about the lagoon and wet lands. We went right to the entrance to the Atlantic, and the scenery was impressive. Our favourties were the storks, but we thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the trip.

Jane H

Two-hour birdwatching tour led by driver / biologist Patricia. Comfortable flat boat with maximum 12 people, excellent commentary, good binoculars provided. Bonus was a walk on the sand spit with ocean one side and lagoon the other, and coming back to Faro at sunset. Highly recommended.

Lanolin12

We had Pedro as our guide for the 2 hour Ria Formosa bird watching trip. We were advised to go in the late afternoon / early evening and it was well worth it. We saw a lot of birds and Pedro was clearly passionate about what he does.

Carmen101

We had a great time on this tour. The pontoon boat was very comfortable. Pedro was our guide and he was extremely knowledgeable. His personality is super and he created a very positive atmosphere. Very affordable trip and highly recommend!

Madeleine H

We had a lovely trip round the Ria Formosa with an excellent guide. The osprey entertained us with its diving for fish and later seen eating a fish. Lots of other species to see, though the flamingos weren't visible as the tides were too low while we were there. The 16.30 tour is a great end to the day. Thanks.

Harry R

We were delighted with this tour. Our expert guide identified the many different birds that we saw. Quality binoculars were provided.

FAlegria

Esta empresa, proporciona passeios na Ria, com excelente explicação sobre a Flora e Fauna da Ria Formosa, deixe-se encantar, pela Ria!

alexoliveira2015

Passeio lindissimo para conhecer uma das maravilhas naturais de Portugal - a Ria Formosa

Lili5757

Memorable tour !!! My husband and I went on a birdwatching boat tour in January (Through the Nature of Ria Formosa); there was only one other person on board, excluding the guide, which made the outing feel even more unique. Our multilingual guide Francisco was extremely pleasant, professional and knowledgeable. We had a memorable time and highly recommend this tour !!!

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