The auction has an opening price of €750,000 and is being sold as a complete operational property rather than simply a parcel of undeveloped land. The estate includes salt pans, fish-farming areas, support buildings, equipment and infrastructure used for aquaculture.

The island was acquired around 15 years ago by a group of investors from Aveiro led by Vergílio Rocha. Their project involved recovering abandoned salt pans and creating a sustainable business focused on salt, salicornia and oyster production.

Several rustic properties and marine production areas form part of the sale, including zones intended for semi-intensive fish farming and the sustainable use of the ria’s natural resources.

The package also includes aquaculture activity titles linked to the establishments known as Pinta 1229 and Canal do Peixe 1939, which could be important for a buyer wishing to continue or adapt the existing operation.

Buildings included in the auction comprise the Casa da Ilha, two traditional storage structures and the Casa da Pinta, which has been used to support fish-farming activity.

Operational equipment is also being sold with the estate. This includes a recreational boat, tractor, loading crane, trailer, levelling blade, approximately 600 iron oyster beds and around 2,000 mesh bags. The property has its own landing pier, while a wooden walkway runs beside the Casa da Ilha.

The auctioneer, Leilosoc, is presenting the island as suitable for continued aquaculture and bivalve production, but also points to possible uses connected with nature tourism, food experiences, private events and environmentally focused projects.

However, any buyer considering tourism or substantial new development would need to examine the planning and environmental restrictions carefully.

The wider Ria de Aveiro is protected under the EU’s Natura 2000 network. Its Special Protection Area covers more than 51,000 hectares, while the Special Area of Conservation extends across approximately 33,130 hectares.

These classifications protect important wetlands, salt marshes, coastal habitats and birdlife, meaning future projects may require environmental assessments and approval from the relevant authorities.

That protected status may limit conventional development, but it could also strengthen the island’s appeal for a carefully designed project based on conservation, sustainable food production or low-impact tourism.

The sale is unusual not only because an entire island is involved, but because it combines land, buildings, licences and specialist equipment within a working lagoon environment. Bidding is expected to remain open into August.