Route 1 — Town Centre Ferry (Seasonal: June–September Only) Route 2 — Quatro Águas Ferry (Year-Round) Ilha de Tavira The barrier islands of the Ria Formosa Natural Park hold some of the Algarve's finest white-sand beaches. The islands themselves are completely car-free, so your rental vehicle gets you to the mainland departure points, where you transfer on foot or by boat. Ilha de Tavira is accessible via two separate departure points. The route you use depends on the month you visit, as one service operates on a strict seasonal schedule. Route 1 — Town Centre Ferry (Seasonal: June–September Only) This departure point is the most convenient option for visitors staying within walking distance of Praça da República and the Ponte Romana. Departure: Rua José Pires Padinha, adjacent to the old market building in Tavira's historic centre. Schedule: Approximately hourly departures during daylight hours. The crossing follows the Gilão River out into the estuary and takes about 20 minutes. Price: Approximately €2.00 for a round trip. Parking: No vehicle access exists at the ferry slipway. Use the free car park at the Mercado Municipal de Tavira (a 5-minute walk) or the free riverside spaces along the Gilão. Operating Season: This service runs exclusively from June through September. Between October and May, these boats stop operating entirely. Route 2 — Quatro Águas Ferry (Year-Round) The Quatro Águas pier is the primary year-round ferry terminal and the only option for reaching Ilha de Tavira outside the summer months. Departure: The Quatro Águas pier, situated 2 km east of Tavira's centre. Access: A 5-minute drive via the Estrada das Quatro Águas. This road underwent a €1.5 million requalification project by Sociedade Polis Ria Formosa, adding dedicated pedestrian and cycling lanes. Schedule: A direct 10-minute crossing operated year-round by Silnido. Prices (Official 2026 Silnido Tariffs): Adult: €1.15 single / €1.95–€2.00 round trip Child (4–11 years): €0.65 single / €1.05 round trip Infant (0–3 years): Free Parking at the Pier: A large organised car park sits directly at the pier (GPS: 37.116, -7.629). Charges apply from June to September (approx. €1 per hour); parking is free from October to May. In July and August, this car park reaches capacity by mid-morning. For alternative locations, consult our guide to parking in Tavira. A 10-minute (7 km) drive east of Tavira on the N125 brings you to the fishing village of Cabanas de Tavira. Drive & Park: Free parking is available along Avenida Ria Formosa and the side streets near the waterfront boardwalk. Access: Small water taxis operated by local fishermen cross the narrow channel from the boardwalk to Ilha de Cabanas. The crossing takes under 2 minutes and runs from approximately 08:00 to 20:00 during the summer season. Expect to pay around €1.50–€2.00 for a single trip. Enforcement Note: Parking enforcement is active in Cabanas de Tavira. Do not park on yellow lines, as towing is regularly reported. Praia do Barril is known for its Anchor Cemetery, a memorial to the area's former tuna fishing industry. Drive & Park: Drive to the Pedras d'el Rei resort complex, clearly signed from the N125 approximately 8 km west of Tavira. A paid car park is available for day visitors (free for resort guests). Access: A floating footbridge crosses the channel for pedestrians and cyclists only. From there, cross the 1.3 km to the beach via a paved footpath or the miniature tourist train (approx. €1.50 each way, primarily a summer service). Landmark: The Anchor Cemetery (Cemitério das Âncoras) sits behind the beach, containing hundreds of anchors from the 20th-century tuna fleets. The beach at Cacela Velha offers a more exposed, open-ocean setting compared to the sheltered waters of Ilha de Tavira. Drive & Park: Drive 12 km east to the village of Cacela Velha. A free car park at the village entrance fills rapidly in July and August. Access: Walk down the hill to Sítio da Fábrica, where small boats cross the estuary for around €1.50 (May–October). At low tide, wading across is possible. For driving directions and additional stops along this route, see our guide to day trips from Tavira. The Ria Formosa Natural Park is a protected landscape. Several regulations apply to vehicles and visitors. No Vehicles on the Islands: Motor vehicles are strictly forbidden on the barrier islands. ICNF (Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas) and GNR-SEPNA enforce this rule. Stay on Paved Roads: The dirt tracks around the salt pans are private working roads. Off-road driving carries fines of €500–€2,000 under Lei n.º 50/2006. No Wild Camping: Overnight stays in motorhomes and campervans outside designated parks and campsites are prohibited from 21:00 to 07:00 (DL 102-B/2020). Fines range from €60 to €600. Drone Restrictions: The Ria Formosa is a Natura 2000 zone. Flying a drone requires prior authorisation from ANAC. For road regulations, speed limits, and general Eastern Algarve driving rules, see our dedicated guide. For families with small children: Ilha de Tavira provides restaurants, cafes, toilets, and lifeguard services in summer. For fewer crowds: Ilha de Cabanas and Praia do Barril offer long stretches of sand with lower visitor numbers than the main Tavira beach. For open-ocean conditions: The beach at Cacela Velha faces the Atlantic directly, with correspondingly different wave conditions. For year-round access: Ilha de Tavira via the Quatro Águas ferry is the only guaranteed year-round boat service. Compare Car Rental Deals