Tavira Island

Tavira Island is a Blue Flag beach

Tavira Island (Portuguese: Ilha de Tavira) is found South of the city and can only be reached by boat, which departs from the city center and from Quatro-Aguas. The Island is 11Km long and varies between 1Km and 150m width. It’s considered to be one of the best beaches in the Algarve Region, and it includes areas where naturism can be practised without problems. The Island belongs to the Ria Formosa Natural Reserve, which is popular it’s birds and flamingos, a delight for bird lovers.

Tavira Island, Aerial View, South
Tavira Island aerial view ‹ photo credits unknown

The access to Tavira Island is provided by boats from Quatro Águas peer in Tavira. The parking areas are fairly large and organised. The beach has basic support facilities, like restaurants and toilets, and is supervised during the bathing season. This beach often holds the blue flag, proof of its environmental quality and superiority.

The Island includes a Camping Park and restaurants, which makes the place one of the most popular tourism destinies for Camping lovers. There are a small number of houses, usually only occupied by owners, although these houses were built circa 1943, new houses can’t be built and the existing ones can’t be sold.

There is a Tavira Island Webcam where you can see live images (picture refreshes every 10min).

Transportation to the Island of Tavira

The main options to cross the river to the Island are either by Ferry Boat or Aqua-Taxi. The crossing takes about five minutes.

Ferry Boat

The ferry between Quatro Aguas to the island operates daily all year, except when the weather is bad. Outside the season it is basically a 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. operation. Between 01 Jul. and 05 Sep. the schedules are as follows:

Tavira Island Ferry Boat

Tavira Island Ferry Boat ‹ photo credits unknown

Quatro Aguas – Tavira – Quatro Aguas
Download the schedule from Quatro Aguas - Tavira Island (13144 downloads ) in PDF

  • From pier at Quatro Aguas: first boat at 8:00 A.M.
  • From pier at Tavira Island: last boat at 12:30 A.M.

Tavira – Tavira Island – Tavira
Download the schedule from Tavira Town Pier - Tavira Island (16302 downloads ) in PDF

  • From pier at the docklands: first boat at 8:00 A.M.
  • From pier at Tavira Island: last boat at 20:00 P.M.

Water Taxis

There are also water taxis available to take you to the island from Tavira city center and Quatro Águas. These operate at restricted hours outside the main holiday season.

Typical water taxi fares:

  • From Quatro Águas to Tavira Island – around 8 Euro;
  • From Quatro Águas to Cabanas – around 20 Euro;
  • From Quatro Águas to Santa Luzia – around 22 Euro
  • From Quatro Águas to Tavira town – around 15 Euro;
  • From Tavira town to the Island – around 18 Euro;

Add 25% for night trips (9PM-8AM). These fares are for 1 to 6 people.

Aquataxis – July and August 24h: (+351) 964 515 073

Tavitaxi – 15 Jul – 31 Aug. 24h: (+351) 964 861 375

There is also a useful tides table schedule in the weather section.