Animaris ferry sailings read from the booking calendar for 3 to 22 November 2026; from 6 November the same times run every day
Speedboat shuttle (separate service) From the same quay Animaris sells a speedboat shuttle to Ilha Deserta, taking about 15 minutes. It has its own tickets and prices, which are not included on this page.
Cancellation by the operator If Animaris cancels because of weather, sea conditions or unforeseen circumstances, it offers another date; if that is not possible, it refunds you in full.
Map – Faro–Ilha Deserta Ferry
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult, ferry, per leg | €5 |
Per-leg price shown in Animaris's booking calendar for every date from 3 to 22 November 2026: €5 per adult on every sailing, VAT included according to the terms. A return trip is two legs. Cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund; after that, or if you miss the boat, there is no refund (except for late cancellations backed by a medical certificate). All fares in euros (EUR).
Ilha Deserta is reached from Faro by the Animaris ferry, which leaves Cais da Porta Nova on Rua Comandante Francisco Manuel and takes about 45 minutes to cross to the island. Animaris calls it its scheduled boat between Faro and Ilha Deserta, one of several services it runs out to the barrier islands of the Ria Formosa.
The company says the ferry sails every day of the year, but it publishes no fixed timetable: outbound sailings, returns from the island and free seats appear one date at a time in the booking calendar on ilhadeserta.com. Read across 3 to 22 November 2026, that calendar shows five boats a day each way from 6 November, the first leaving Faro at 10:00 and the last leaving the island at 17:00. On 3 and 4 November the two afternoon sailings run later, and on 5 November there are only four each way. For other dates, open the calendar and note the last boat back before you go.
On every one of those dates an adult pays €5 per leg, VAT included, so a return trip means two tickets. Do not confuse the ferry with the Animaris speedboat shuttle, sold from the same quay: it reaches the island in about 15 minutes and is priced separately.
Read the cancellation rules before you book. Under the Animaris terms, you get a full refund by bank transfer if you cancel at least 24 hours before departure by emailing [email protected]. Within 24 hours there is no refund unless you can show a medical certificate, and no-shows lose the ticket. To change the date or time, contact Animaris Monday to Friday, 09:30–17:30, up to 12 hours before the sailing; after that, changes are handled at the company's kiosk on Cais da Porta Nova. If Animaris itself cancels because of the weather or sea conditions, it offers another date or a refund.
Pets travel on the ferry, which the company treats as public transport, in a suitable carrier. Crew may refuse boarding to anyone without suitable clothing or heavily under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Animaris can be reached on +351 918 779 155 or at [email protected].
- Get to the pier in good time: vehicle boarding can close before the departure time.
- Check the operator's notices on the day — bad weather, swell, fog or breakdowns can change or cancel crossings.
- Check where to buy your ticket and which travel passes or transport cards the route accepts.