Natural Park of Ria Formosa
Situated within a Natural Park extending between Faro and Vila Real de Santo António, in the Algarve region and protected by national and International laws, “Ria Formosa” is a rich and complex aquatic ecosystem comprising salt marshes, channels, tidal flats and barrier-islands. This natural and unique environment is used as shelter, feeding and nesting ground for a wide variety of bird species and especially as a resting place for migrating birds.
Fishing and shellfish harvesting are activities benefitting from the extraordinary richness of this wetland area, and are two of the main economic activities of the local population.
With transparent and warm waters, the beaches of Algarve and particularly in the Ria Formosa Natural Park are also very tempting as you will see in the video below, filmed on a trip by boat between Olhão and Praia do Farol (“Lighthouse Beach”)in the Ilha da Culatra (Culatra Island) .