Ilha dos Puxadoiros sits in the middle of the Ria de Aveiro and covers around 37 hectares, or more than 50 football pitches. The private island is being sold by electronic auction, which is due to close on 25 September.

And this isn’t simply an empty piece of land surrounded by water.

The sale includes two houses. Casa da Ilha measures 58 square metres, while the larger Casa da Pinta has 140 square metres and has been used to support fishing activities. There are also two smaller traditional buildings, measuring 10 and 12 square metres.

Casa da Ilha has a swimming pool and a generator and was originally built with tourism in mind. That particular plan never went ahead because the necessary licences were not obtained.

An island with its own boat

Getting there requires a boat, which may explain one of the more unusual items included in the sale: the island comes with one.

The successful bidder will also get a Yamaha-powered leisure boat, tractor, trailer, loading crane and levelling equipment, as well as the island’s access pier and a wooden walkway beside Casa da Ilha.

The property has a long history connected to the Ria de Aveiro’s salt and aquaculture industries.

Its owners spent around two decades running different businesses there, including salt and samphire production, oyster farming and events.

The aquaculture equipment is also part of the package. There are around 600 iron beds used for oyster production and approximately 2,000 mesh bags, along with aquaculture activity titles connected to the Pinta and Canal do Peixe operations.

According to NiT, the owners live in Lisbon and decided to sell after being unable to establish a local management operation in Aveiro to look after and run the island.

What could you do with it?

That is where things get a little more complicated.

On paper, 37 hectares in the Ria de Aveiro leaves plenty of room for ideas. Aquaculture and shellfish production could continue, while nature tourism, food experiences and events have also been suggested as possible uses.

But buying an island does not mean being free to build whatever you like.

The property sits in an environmentally sensitive area, and any new project would have to comply with the relevant planning, environmental and licensing rules. The previous attempt to develop tourist accommodation is a useful reminder of that.

There are practical considerations too. Everything has to be reached by boat, while buildings and equipment on the island are exposed to tides and winter weather and require regular maintenance.

Still, for €750,000, it is an unusual proposition.

The auction for Ilha dos Puxadoiros is due to end on 25 September, with prospective buyers required to register with the auctioneer before placing a bid.