Olhão Beaches: How to Get There & Which Island to Choose

Most travelers are surprised to learn that Olhão doesn’t have any mainland beaches. But just offshore, you can find some of Algarve’s most beautiful, uncrowded sandy beaches on islands.

I visited most of them on a boat tour from Olhão, a great way to see multiple islands and beaches in one day. My favorite was Armona Island for its laid-back vibe, but I also loved Praia do Farol with its lighthouse and beach bar selling vegan ice cream.

In this post, I’ll walk you through each beach near Olhão and how to visit them, so you can plan your perfect beach day.

How to Get to the Islands

There are a few ways to reach the beach islands near Olhão:

• Public Ferry (cheapest option)
  • Ferries run from Olhão to Armona Island and to Culatra Island (with stop at Farol).
  • Buy tickets at the ticket booth in the Olhão marina.
  • Check the timetable online, it changes with the season.
• Water Taxi
  • More flexible than the ferry.
  • In high season, you’ll find plenty of boats waiting in the marina.
  • Great if you’re in a hurry or want to go off-schedule.
• Guided Boat Tour
  • Ideal for visiting multiple beaches in one day.
  • I did a tour and loved the convenience, no need to worry about transport between islands.

Beaches on Armona Island

Armona Island is a beautiful, unspoiled spot in the Algarve. While it has almost no permanent residents, it’s a popular beach destination, and for good reason.

When I visited on a boat tour, it was unusually quiet. The captain even said it’s rarely that peaceful. As the ferry docked, crowds streamed down the “main street”, really just a wide path, to the beach. It gave me a glimpse of how busy it likely gets in summer.

Still, the island is incredibly charming. With its small bungalows and endless sandy shoreline, it felt like stepping into a painting, literally. I saw so many people painting landscape scenes.

🚤 Visit multiple islands with a boat tour!

1. Ilha de Armona

Ilha de Armona is the small fishing village on the western side of Armona Island. It’s a charming holiday spot with a few restaurants, a shop, and the only overnight options on the island, traditional bungalows for rent.

Right next to the village and pier, there’s a small bay for swimming. It faces the Ria Formosa, not the Atlantic, so the water is calmer and a bit warmer.

I was genuinely surprised by how beautiful the beach was, especially for being right next to the “harbour,” which is really just a simple pier with a few boats.

🏖️ Book your overnight stay on this picturesque island!

2. Praia da Armona (Mar)

Praia da Armona is the main beach near Ilha de Armona, located on the Atlantic side of the island. It’s about a 20-minute walk along the main path from the village.

The beach is long, wide, and beautifully sandy. While the amenities are all grouped together, you can easily walk further away if you’re looking for a quiet spot.

3. Praia da Fuseta (Mar)

Located on the eastern end of Armona Island, Praia da Fuseta (Mar) is one of Fuseta’s two main beaches. Because it’s so close that town, this part of the island is sometimes called Fuseta Island, though it’s still technically Armona Island.

It’s the trickiest beach to reach from Olhão, but from Fuseta, which by the way is still an amazingly authentic Portuguese coastal town in the Algarve, it’s just a short ferry ride. I visited from Fuseta, and it’s easily the most beautiful beach in the area.

Beaches on Culatra Island

Culatra is the most popular beach destination from Olhão. Boats drop visitors in Ilha da Culatra, a traditional fishing village facing the mainland.

It’s a very traditional fishing village. In other words, it’s a great place to go for food if you’re not vegan. I left the fishy smell behind me and headed straight for the beautiful beaches.

From the village, you can walk to Praia da Culatra. The other two beaches require a boat unless you’re up for a long hike.

🚤 Visit multiple beaches with a boat tour!

4. Praia da Culatra 

It took me about 25 minutes to walk from the harbor in Ilha da Culatra to the beach, longer than I expected!

Despite being a popular beach, it wasn’t crowded when I visited. The beach is huge, so even on busier days, you’ll likely find a quiet spot.

5. Ponta di Culatra – Desert Beach

Ponta di Culatra is the eastern tip of Culatra Island, perfect if you want nothing but sand, sea, and silence. There are no facilities or lifeguards here, so bring plenty of water and don’t plan on long swims.

When I visited, there were only a handful of people around. The shallow water between Culatra and Armona was surprisingly warm and great for a quick dip.

I loved how peaceful it was, just me, my book, and the ocean.

6. Praia da Ilha do Farol (Mar)

Ilha do Farol is a charming village on Culatra Island, best known for its iconic lighthouse, the second tallest in Portugal.

Next to it is Praia da Ilha do Farol, where a laid-back beach bar makes it a perfect spot to unwind. I grabbed a vegan ice cream and spent the afternoon reading by the sea.

Between the lighthouse views and the chill vibe, this beach quickly became one of my favorites. Although it is one of the most busy ones on this list.

Map of the Olhão Beaches

🛟 Traveling with limited time? This 3-in-1 boat tour lets you beach-hop, sightsee, and chill all in one epic day.

Which Beach Should You Choose?

Not sure which island beach is right for you? Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

• Armona Island (Ilha de Armona): Best for a relaxed beach day with easy access to food and accommodation.
• Praia da Armona (Mar): Ideal if you want a long, open stretch of Atlantic beach and don’t mind a short walk.
• Praia da Fuseta (Mar): Perfect if you’re already in Fuseta and want a beautiful, uncrowded beach nearby.
• Praia da Culatra: Great if you’re looking for a big beach with some amenities but fewer crowds.
• Ponta di Culatra (Desert Beach): Best for solitude and nature lovers; no facilities, just peace and quiet.
• Praia da Ilha do Farol: Ideal for a beach day with a view, especially if you want a drink, ice cream, and a lighthouse backdrop and don’t mind a more busy beach.

No matter which beach you choose, you’ll find a little slice of paradise just a short ride from Olhão.

👉 Planning to explore more beaches in the Algarve? Don’t miss my guide to the best beaches in Tavira, you might just find your next favorite spot there too.

Read more about the Algarve:

• 10 Best Places in the Algarve: Best Towns & Nature Spots
• Best Time to Visit Algarve Portugal for a Perfect Holiday
• Ultimate Algarve Itinerary For Different Trips
• 10 Absolute Best Things to Do in Lagos, Portugal
• 2 Days In Lagos Portugal: Amazing 2-Day Itinerary
• Is Lagos Portugal Worth Visiting? 5 Reasons Why It Is
• 10 Top Things to Do in Albufeira Portugal: Beach & Fun
• Is Albufeira Worth Visiting? Why I Don’t Think It Is
• 5 Best Olhão Boat Trips On the River Formosa
• 15 Best Things to Do in Olhão Portugal
• The Best Olhão Beaches to Relax and Swim
• Salinas Do Grelha near Olhão: A Hidden Gem in The Algarve
• Fuseta Portugal: Ultimate Travel Guide
• 13 Incredible Things to Do in Tavira Portugal
• Most Beautiful Beaches in Tavira Portugal & How to Get There
• Faro Old Town: Travel Guide to Visit the City Center
• Epic 2 Days in Faro Portugal: Gateway to the Algarve
• Is Faro Worth Visiting? 7 Reasons Why It Is
• 7 Amazing Day Trips from Faro to Explore the Algarve
• Best Day Tours From Faro Portugal to Explore the Algarve
• Best Tours From Lisbon to Algarve

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