There are two barrier islands off the coast of Olhao; although they get referenced as three. Armona, where Bob had the grilled sardines last week, stands alone. Then there is one island that is discussed as two islands — Culatra and Farol. You can take a ferry to either one. Culatra is on on the northern end of the island and Farol is on the south. It costs a bit more for the ferry to Farol (though the same ferry stops at both places), so we have always (the 2 times that we’ve gone) purchased the round trip ticket to Culatra and then walked the beach to Farol. The first time we went we didn’t spend anytime in Farol after we got there as we were trying to catch a 1 pm ferry back (didn’t happen), so we got to explore Culatra. This week we went back to check out Farol.
The walk to Farol from the Culatra boat dock took us about 50 minutes. You walk through town (village?), then along a boardwalk to the beach,and then a shoeless walk along the beach for some free exfoliating (sorry for that mental picture). Neither of us really have swimsuits with us, and we prefer the walking to the lying out (or getting into the cold water). Once in Farol, we checked out the lighthouse, walked out along the pier where there were people fishing, and then walked by the local restaurant and inns.
While the ferries have always been pretty full on our trips to the islands, the beaches have not been crowded. Part of that is likely due to the time of the year and part to the fact that some of the ferry traffic is locals going about their daily business that takes them back and forth to the island and mainland.
It was another lovely walkabout on Farol. See highlights below.
Two views of people enjoying different parts of the beach —
Peckish Travels 