Ria Formosa Natural Park: Algarve’s Wild Living Lagoon
Lisa Roolant
Just down the road from Siesta Campers HQ in São Brás de Alportel lies a place where land and sea blur. Where the tides come and go like a breath. Where flamingos wade through salt marshes like they own the place—and, truth be told, they kind of do.
Welcome to the Ria Formosa Natural Park. This stretch of Portugal’s southern coast isn’t just a postcard-perfect landscape. It’s one of Europe’s most important coastal ecosystems—and a place that’s especially close to our hearts.
June 8 is World Ocean’s Day, a moment for us all to reflect on the role the ocean plays in our lives—something we take to heart living in a country with over 800km of coastline, surrounded by the Atlantic. So, we’re taking a moment to appreciate Portugal’s blue heart tucked into the Algarve coastline—and offer a few ideas on how to explore it, consciously.
One of the 7 Natural Wonders of Portugal
Spanning 55km of sunlit coastline, the Ria Formosa Natural Park is one of the 7 natural wonders of Portugal. A constantly shifting mosaic of barrier islands, tidal flats, salt marshes, and fishing villages, it’s also one of Europe’s most significant lagoon ecosystems.
Recognised as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance and protected as a Natural Park, it hosts over 1,500 species—from migratory birds and rare plants to crustaceans, fish, and one of the densest seahorse populations on Earth.
It’s a resilient yet fragile ecosystem that filters water, supports marine life, and acts as a natural defence against storms. But that delicate balance is increasingly vulnerable—and it needs protection.
Why Ria Formosa Natural Park Matters (Especially Today)
The ocean doesn’t begin at the shoreline. It starts inland—in wetlands, lagoons, and estuaries like the Ria Formosa.
These wetlands act as essential blue carbon warehouses. Marshland and seagrass ecosystems sequester up to 40 times more carbon than forests. They filter water, buffer coastlines from erosion, and provide migratory birds with a place to rest—and local communities with a way of life.
But like so many fragile ecosystems, they’re under threat—largely due to human impact. Climate change. Plastic pollution. Aquaculture expansion. Overfishing. Habitat loss.
Up until the 1990s, the world’s largest population of seahorses lived in the waters of the Ria Formosa. Over the past two decades, numbers have plummeted by a staggering 90%.
Every year, we lose a little more of what makes this place both magical and essential. There’s no more urgent time to support conservation efforts.
At Siesta Campers, we try to do our part. Over the past four years, our team has organised beach cleanups in the area. The first year, we collected 600kg of plastic waste. Last year, 300kg. It’s a small but meaningful part of protecting what we love.
7 Nature-First Ways to Explore the Ria Formosa
Here are some of our favourite low-impact ways to connect with this magical place:
1. Take a zero-emissions tour
Explore the lagoon by stand-up paddleboard, kayak, or solar-powered boat—no fumes, no noise. Here are some suggested tours and hires:
2. Go for a wild bike ride
Take a 3-hour guided bike tour from Faro to the Ria Formosa Natural Park, passing the salt pans (salinas) and Faro Island Beach.
For the more adventurous, cycle the 214 km Ecovia do Litoral, a coastal trail from Cabo de São Vicente to Vila Real de Santo António, on the Spanish border. Along its course (or with short diversions) you can see the main landmarks of Algarve, as for example Ponta da Piedade, Ria Formosa Natural Park, and many other wonderful beaches, castles and towns.
3. Ria Formosa Flamingos
The Ludo and Quinta do Lago trails are great for flamingo sightings. With a guide, you’ll learn the stories behind the birds and help support local conservation work.
4. Visit a working salina
Take a tour and explore traditional salt pans like Salinas do Grelha and learn how salt is harvested by hand, using methods passed down for generations.
5. Kitesurf the lagoon
If you’re a kitesurfer or looking to learn, you’ll love kiting the shallow waters of the lagoon—Fuseta and Cabanas de Tavira are two top locations to kitesurf in Southern Portugal, located within the Ria Formosa’s flat waters that open towards the ocean. Just be sure to ride respectfully and follow local guidelines.
6. Visit the Environmental Education Centre of Marim (CEAM)
Located in the heart of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, this visitor centre is a hidden gem, with walking trails, exhibits, and conservation education.
7. Spend a day on Culatra Island
Located under an hour drive from Siesta Campers’ Faro base, Culatra island is a car-free island with sandy paths, strong community roots, and a unique energy. Park your Siesta Camper in Olhão and take a ferry – check the schedule here
Vanlife, The Eco-Conscious Way
Travelling by campervan gives you the freedom to roam—but with that freedom comes responsibility. At Siesta Campers, we believe that road trips and nature protection can coexist beautifully.
A few tips to keep in mind when exploring the Ria Formosa or elsewhere:
- Stick to marked trail: When you’re wild camping, hiking or taking walks, stick to pathways that won’t disrupt the local ecosystems. At Ria Formosa, the dunes and wetlands are alive with critters—stick to the paths and let them thrive.
- Take only memories: Leave shells, flowers, and natural treasures where you found them. Take photos, and mind your footprint.
- Mind your waste: If wild camping, use your camper’s chemical toilet (available in all vans or as an add-on). No paper or waste left in nature, please.
- Choose local, low-impact activities: Pick nature walks and paddle tours over motorised options. Prioritise quality over quantity.
- Say no to single-use containers: Your Siesta Camper comes fully equipped, so no need for disposables. And if you spot litter out there, why not pick it up? Leave it better than you found it.
- Eat consciously: Order seasonal, line-caught fish and buy local produce from local markets and vendors.
From Our Backyard to the Big Blue
Places like Ria Formosa Natural Park reminds us what’s at stake—and what’s worth protecting. It teaches us to travel slower, listen more deeply, and show up not as tourists, but as guests.
At Siesta Campers, we’re on our own journey towards sustainability. And while we know campervan travel isn’t impact-free, we believe in doing things differently, we’re an independent company that believes road trips and environmental responsibility don’t have to be at odds.
So this World Ocean’s Day (and every day), we invite you to join us: travel slower, breathe deeper, choose the wild path—and leave no trace.