The reserve opens at 9am and we got there shortly afterwards to avoid the afternoon heat. We asked for a map at reception, which was in Spanish, but it showed us where everything was. There are toilets in the visitors’ centre, right by the entrance. We took our binoculars and were glad we did because we saw so many fantastic birds: stilts, godwits, common sandpipers, spoonbills, shovellers, choughs, whimbrels, gadwall, little grebe… We also saw lots of the fiddler crabs by the watermill. Sadly, no chameleons for us. We took our time walking round to appreciate all the wildlife and lovely views, and were there for just under three hours. Would definitely recommend if you like your birds and wildlife.

This is a great spot for bird-watching all year round. Easy access with car parking at the end of Av. André Jordan, by the bridge that goes across to Gigi's beach restaurant. There are a couple of bird hides: the one facing a freshwater lake and the San Lorenzo Golf Course was particularly well-stocked, with bitterns, a little grebe, some western swamphens (sultana bird), ibises, and the inevitable egrets and herons, and also a whole crowd of shoveller ducks that had just flown in. Also spoonbills, whimbrels, turnstones, and a lot of plovers. Flamingoes are to be seen a bit further along the Ludo Trail towards Faro Airport. There was also an unexpected sighting of a little owl, hunting in daylight on a cloudy day. Definitely well worth a visit, or several, as the tidal conditions can affect what you see.

This is a wonderful natural park bordering Ria Formosa. Full of walks . Map provided, not in English but trails are marked well. Toilets, snacks from machine (not a cafe) and good exhibition in visitor centre so do that 1 st. Small entry fee. Off main road from Olhao to Tavira. Brown sign on right to Ria Formosa. Follow road over railway to end and it is on left. We spent about 3 hours, slow walk with many stops to see the wonderful flowers, birds etc. It was March. Spring flowers were beautiful. Fiddler crabs on yellow path by water past tidal mill building. Many birds including egrets, azure winged magpie, black winged stilt, grey heron and many more. Take snacks, sunscreen, hat, water, rucksack. I got bitten by insects so also have insect repellent. Highly recommended.

The park has a nature trail that is well marked out and easy to walk round with hides for watching bird, and also ruins of Roman fish salting pits, a tide mill and an old horse powered water pump. The scenery is also beautiful. There is parking on site and the entry fee is €3 per person.

This nature reserve is easily accessed from Olhao. The ticket office has no maps, but easy to take a photo on my phone of the sample map. In the end we didn't need it as the trails are well signposted and easy to follow. We had no difficulty finding ur way on the trail we took. There are lots of interesting information boards throughout the trail. The trail winds through pine forest to the visitor's centre (toilets available here) We were unable to explore the visitor's centre as a local children's dance school were using the park for their annual show and the centre was crowded with parents etc. The trail winds down to the coast where there is an old tidal mill. The views from the roof of the mil are amazing. Spend some time watching the fiddler crabs on the estuary. The trail winds further along the coast, past the ruins of a Roman fish preserving complex. Then back through the forest, past 2 bird hides to the entrance. It was a good walk and the notice boards helped explain the terrain and wildlife.