Rio Formosa, Faro

Ria Formosa, classified as a Natural Park in 1987 is one of Europe’s most important wetland areas covering 44,500 acres and encompassing a barrier island system stretching 60 km between Ancão and Manta Rota in the eastern region of the Algarve. Ria Formosa is formed by peninsulas and sand barrier islands which serve to protect the various salt marches, channels and islets. Salt marshes rank among the most productive ecosystems on the planet and salt has been harvested in the Ria Formosa for more than 2,000 years.

Essentially it is a lagoon separated from the sea by a coastal dune system and an important wintering ground for birds from northern and central Europe, as well as being an important stopover for migrant birds flying between northern Europe to Africa. It is also a place of refuge for rare Portuguese birds and a nesting site for many endangered species.

There is no roads nor bridges from the mainland to Rio Formosa so the only way to move around is by boat.

This morning the tide is low as you can see. The tides are entirely responsible for the water circulation inside the lagoon.

We passed by this area last night and this area was covered in water.

We are taking a boat tour today and this is our meeting point.

Low tide so you can see everything.

We are now getting on the boat.

We are now leaving the shore, Faro town is in the back.

We are getting further and further into the lagoon.

Lots of boats docking in this area.

Protected area that no human is allowed to set foot on.

The lagoon is a winter home for birds but it now almost summer so all the birds are gone.

The wetland is a protected area with an immense amount of diversity across many of the habitats that you can find in the lagoon.

This is a special crab species that can only be found in this area and thrives here on the protected area.

View of the town of Faro in the back.

Sandy beach along the way...

Among the barrier islands and inside the lagoon you’ll find saltmarshes, mudflats, dunes, salt pans and tidal channels. All contributing to the diversity of the flora and fauna of the region.

A fisherman.

Another fisherman

Due to its shallow waters, the lagoon is also a nursery in such several oceanic species spend their early stages of life, some of them of high commercial value. Shellfish farming is also a very economic activity in the tidal flats of the Ria Formosa. This extremely hard labor is responsible for nearly 80% of the Portuguese clam exports.

We are now headed to Ilha Deserta (Desert Island)

NEXT.... Day 6-Ilha Deserta (Desert Island)