Desert Island Beach

Category: Nature > Beach

District: Faro > Faro > Faro > Ilha Deserta

Location

Praia da Ilha Deserta (Desert Island Beach) is located on one of the barrier islands that protect the Ria Formosa, on the Algarve coast, near the city of Faro. It is unique among the accessible barrier islands for being uninhabited, maintaining a natural and serene environment, facing the vast Atlantic Ocean.

Being isolated from the mainland and without a land connection, the island offers an experience of direct contact with the untouched natural landscape of the Ria Formosa and the coastline.

Natural Landscape

This island features a continuous, extensive sandy beach, bathed by generally clear waters, recognized for their quality. The landscape is dominated by golden sand and dunes, which host flora adapted to this coastal ecosystem.

Integrated into the Ria Formosa Natural Park, the island offers a perspective on the region's natural richness, with the possibility of observing different bird species and the typical vegetation of the dune and salt marsh areas that characterize the lagoon zone facing inland.

Distinctive Features

The designation 'Deserta' (Desert) reflects its uninhabited state, distinguishing it from the other islands of the Ria Formosa. One of its notable points is Cabo de Santa Maria (Cape Saint Mary), considered the southernmost tip of mainland Portugal, marked by a symbolic structure that denotes this geographical position.

To explore the island without disturbing the dune ecosystem and to appreciate its vastness, there is an elevated boardwalk over the sand that allows visitors to traverse a significant part of the island, offering unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape.

The Beach Environment

Due to its extensive size, even with visitors, Praia da Ilha Deserta offers a sense of spaciousness and tranquility, providing room to enjoy the sun and sea in peace. The island has a designated area for naturism on the western side, for those seeking this option.

Generally, the waters are calm on the side facing the lagoon and may present some waves on the ocean-facing side. In summer, their temperature is sometimes slightly higher than on other beaches in the region. It is important to note the absence of natural shade on the sandy beach, given the nature of the dune landscape.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt