Local guide · Ria Formosa
Boat to Praia da Fábrica, Cacela Velha
Praia da Fábrica is on the barrier island opposite Cacela Velha, in the Ria Formosa, and you get there by boat from the Fábrica pier. The crossing is short and a return ticket costs €1.50. We are Titus Boat Tours and we have run this boat since 2010: here is everything you need to know before you go.
Updated · Titus Boat Tours, local skipper since 2010
Boat times
The boat links the Fábrica pier with Praia da Fábrica every day from March to October. No need to book a time: your ticket is valid on any boat within opening hours.
| Months | Boats |
|---|---|
| June, July and August | Every day, 9 am to 8 pm |
| September | Every day; last boat at 7 pm |
| October | Every day; last boat at 6 pm |
| March to May | Every day; times depend on the weather (ask us on WhatsApp) |
| November to February | No regular boat |
In strong wind or rough water the boat may stop for safety. If in doubt, message us on WhatsApp before you set off. When you reach the beach, check the time of the last boat back with the skipper.
Prices and tickets
| Ticket | Return | One way |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (12+) | €1.50 | €1.00 |
| Child (4–11) | €1.00 | €0.50 |
- Ticket on your phone: buy online and show the QR code when you board. We send it by WhatsApp and, if you like, by email.
- Or pay on board in cash.
- No fixed date: use your ticket on any day during the season. With a return ticket, you come back the same day.
- Come back, pay less: there is a discount from your 7th ticket with the same phone number, and every 10th ticket is free.
Getting to the Fábrica pier
You board at the Fábrica pier (Cais da Fábrica), Rua da Fábrica, Cacela Velha (8900-027 Vila Nova de Cacela). You can park at Fábrica or in Cacela Velha; the way to the pier is signposted.
- Manta Rota5 min
- Vila Nova de Cacela5 min
- Altura10 min
- Cabanas de Tavira10 min
- Monte Gordo15 min
- Tavira20 min
- Vila Real de Santo António20 min
- Castro Marim20 min
- Ayamonte (Spain)25 min
- Faro Airport40 min
Approximate driving times.
The tide changes the beach
The Ria Formosa fills and empties twice a day, and Praia da Fábrica changes with it: at low tide sandbanks and shallow pools appear; at high tide the water rises and the beach on the lagoon side gets narrower.
To choose the best time, check a tide table (for example from the Portuguese Hydrographic Institute) or ask us.
Wading across at low tide? We advise against it
Opposite the village of Cacela Velha, some people wade across to the island at low tide. The Vila Real de Santo António town council advises against it: that area is not a bathing beach, has no lifeguards and, when the tide goes out, strong currents pull towards the sea. In 2025 the council reported around 60 rescues in a single summer.
Praia da Fábrica, where the boat drops you, is an official bathing beach with lifeguards in the bathing season, and it is the alternative the council itself recommends.
Source: Vila Real de Santo António town council, in Postal do Algarve (August 2025, in Portuguese).
With children, bags and a parasol, the boat is the safe way across, for €1.50 return.
What to bring
- Water and something to eat, especially with children.
- Hat, sunscreen and a parasol.
- Your ticket on your phone (QR code), or cash to pay on board.
- A bag for your rubbish: the island is part of the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Take your rubbish with you and keep off the dunes.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the boat to Praia da Fábrica?
€1.50 return per adult (12+) and €1.00 per child aged 4 to 11. One way: €1.00 and €0.50. Buy tickets
What are the boat times from Cacela Velha to Praia da Fábrica?
March to October, every day. In June, July and August from 9 am to 8 pm; in September the last boat is at 7 pm and in October at 6 pm. From November to February there is no regular boat.
Is there a boat to Praia da Fábrica in winter?
From November to February there is no regular boat. For a boat trip in those months, message us on WhatsApp (+351 965 890 566).
Do I need to buy my ticket in advance?
No: you can buy online and show the QR code on your phone, or pay on board in cash. With an online ticket you don’t need change.
Is the ticket for a specific day?
No. Use it on any day during the season. With a return ticket, you come back the same day.
Can I walk across at low tide?
We advise against it. The Vila Real de Santo António council warns against wading across opposite Cacela Velha: it is not a bathing beach, there are no lifeguards and the outgoing tide pulls towards the sea. The boat takes you to Praia da Fábrica, a lifeguarded bathing beach in the bathing season.
Are there lifeguards at Praia da Fábrica?
Yes, in the bathing season. The stretch of sand opposite the village of Cacela Velha, where people arrive on foot, has none.
Where do I park for the boat?
At Fábrica or in Cacela Velha. The way to the Fábrica pier (Rua da Fábrica, Cacela Velha) is signposted.
Are Praia da Fábrica and “Cacela Velha beach” the same?
The names are often mixed up. The Titus boat takes you to Praia da Fábrica, the lifeguarded bathing beach. The sand opposite the village of Cacela Velha, where people wade across, is not a bathing beach.