Late October brings Silnido's winter timetable to the boats between Tavira and Ilha de Tavira, the sandbar island facing the town. It took effect on 25 October 2026 and has no published end date. From the quay by the town market there are six departures to the island, at 09:30, 10:40, 11:40, 12:40, 14:40 and 15:50; from Quatro Águas there are seven, from 10:00 until 16:05.
Both lists pause around lunchtime. Nothing leaves the town quay between 12:40 and 14:40, and Quatro Águas has no departure between 13:30 and 15:00. Heading back, the last boats from the island to either quay leave at 16:35, which sets the end of a winter afternoon on the beach.
Fares are paid at the quay and differ by boarding point: €1.50 one way from town, €1.20 from Quatro Águas. Children aged 4 to 11 pay €0.80 or €0.65, and babies up to 3 travel free.
Winter departures from the town and from Quatro Águas
Departures from Tavira (town quay and Quatro Águas)
- 09:30
- 10:40
- 11:40
- 12:40
- 14:40
- 15:50
Departures from Ilha de Tavira (Tavira Island)
- 10:15
- 11:15
- 12:15
- 13:15
- 15:15
- 16:35
Departures from Tavira (town quay and Quatro Águas)
- 10:00
- 11:00
- 12:00
- 13:00
- 13:30
- 15:00
- 16:05
Departures from Ilha de Tavira (Tavira Island)
- 10:15
- 11:15
- 12:15
- 13:15
- 13:45
- 15:15
- 16:35
Silnido winter timetable, in force from 25 October 2026 with no end date published · checked 30 October 2026 Silnido – Tavira Island boat times and prices · 2026-10-30
Two quays, two price lists
What you pay depends on where you board. An adult single is €1.50 from the town quay and €1.20 from Quatro Águas; a return costs €2.70 and €2.00 respectively. Children from 4 to 11 have a cheaper fare at both quays, and babies up to 3 go free.
| Adult, one way | €1.50 |
| Adult, return | €2.70 |
| Child aged 4 to 11, one way | €0.80 |
| Child aged 4 to 11, return | €1.15 |
| Baby up to 3 | Free |
| Adult, one way | €1.20 |
| Adult, return | €2 |
| Child aged 4 to 11, one way | €0.65 |
| Child aged 4 to 11, return | €1.10 |
| Baby up to 3 | Free |
Silnido fares published with the winter timetable · checked 30 October 2026 Silnido – Tavira town and Quatro Águas prices · 2026-10-30
Market quay or Quatro Águas?
Both quays belong to the same operator, but each has its own timetable and fares. The market quay has the first boat of the morning, at 09:30, and free parking nearby; Quatro Águas is cheaper and has the extra 13:30 sailing.
Tavira (town quay and Quatro Águas)
The map pin in Tavira marks the town quay next to the market, starting point for six winter sailings, the earliest at 09:30. If you are driving, Silnido points you to the market car park, which is free.
Quatro Águas, the second boarding point, has its own fares and seven sailings, beginning at 10:00 and including a 13:30 departure that the town quay does not have. Parking there is at the Parque 4 Águas by the sailing club, and you pay for it.
Ilha de Tavira (Tavira Island)
Coming back, Silnido lists one set of departures to the town quay and another to Quatro Águas. Most of the times are shared (10:15, 11:15, 12:15, 13:15, 15:15 and 16:35); only the 13:45 goes to Quatro Águas alone. If your car is parked at one quay, ask the crew where the boat is heading before you step aboard.
Where the boats start and land
The line on the map runs from the town quay to the island landing. Quatro Águas, Silnido's other departure point, lies south-east of the town centre according to the GPS position the operator itself publishes in Portuguese (37º06´59.9"N 7º37´45.5"W); the English version of the page repeats one set of coordinates for both quays. No distance or sailing time is published for either crossing.
Planning an off-season beach day
- Be back by 16:35
The final departures from the island, to either quay, are at 16:35; the one before is at 15:15.
- The lunchtime gap
There is no boat from town between 12:40 and 14:40. Quatro Águas fills part of the gap with a 13:30 departure.
- Tickets at the quay
Silnido sells tickets where you board. A return is €2.70 from town and €2.00 from Quatro Águas.
- Foot passengers only
Silnido publishes passenger fares only, with nothing for cars or bicycles, so plan to leave any rental car on the mainland.
- Dogs and other pets
One pet per passenger, kept with its owner in a box, cage or carrier. Certified assistance dogs wearing their badge may travel without one.
Who runs the boats
The service is run by Silnido, a family business based at Luz de Tavira that says it has worked in river transport and boat trips for more than 30 years. On its home page the boat shown for the scheduled crossings is the «Amor da Ilha». The only contact given on the crossing page is the email address [email protected]; no phone number is listed there.
For each quay Silnido also offers a printable PDF headed «Horários de INVERNO / Winter schedules», in Portuguese, English, French and Spanish, valid from 25/10/2026. Its times and fares match the web page on the day of our check, 30 October.
Tavira Island boats in winter: what visitors ask
When is the last boat back from Tavira Island in winter?
At 16:35, to both the town quay and Quatro Águas. The previous one, also to both, leaves at 15:15.
Which quay should I use in Tavira?
The market quay is the one in town and has the first boat, at 09:30, with free parking nearby. Quatro Águas starts at 10:00, charges €1.20 one way instead of €1.50 and has an extra 13:30 sailing.
Can I buy tickets online?
Silnido only says tickets are on sale on site, so expect to buy at the quay. It does not publish the payment methods it accepts.
Can I take a bike or a car across?
Silnido lists passenger fares only and nothing for bicycles or vehicles. Treat it as a foot-passenger service.
Do children need a ticket?
From 4 to 11, yes: €0.80 one way from town or €0.65 from Quatro Águas. Under-4s travel free.
Is my dog allowed on board?
Yes, one pet per passenger, in a box or carrier. Certified assistance dogs are exempt from the carrier rule.
How long does the crossing take?
Silnido does not publish a crossing time or arrival times, so we do not give one.