Spain, Rías Baixas, Atlantic
Galicia is Atlantic sailing in sheltered water: from Vigo, the Cíes and Ons islands of the national park are 8 to 15 NM away and four deep rías give a different anchorage every night, with tides of 3 to 4 m, a summer north wind and seafood ashore.
YACHT TYPES
Mostly monohulls of 34 to 43 ft, the right boats for tides, swell and the north wind; a few catamarans such as the Lagoon 42, which pay 35 to 50 percent more in the marinas.
A typical week from Vigo
Saturday to Saturday: the national park islands first, then north into the Ría de Pontevedra and the Ría de Arousa, and back down the coast with the north wind behind.
Day 1, Vigo to the Cíes Islands (8 NM). Out of the Ría de Vigo to the anchorage off Rodas beach, inside the Atlantic Islands national park; the operator books the daily anchoring authorisation, and you land only at the Rodas pier.
Day 2, to Ons (10 NM). North across the mouth of the Ría de Pontevedra to Ons, the park island with a small village; anchor off Melide or Castelo with a second authorisation.
Day 3, to Combarro (11 NM). Into the Ría de Pontevedra to Combarro, its stone granaries, the hórreos, along the waterfront, and a marina for the night.
Day 4, to Sanxenxo (7 NM). Down the north shore of the ría to the beach town of Sanxenxo and its marina, with Portonovo next door.
Day 5, to Illa de Arousa (14 NM). Round the headland into the Ría de Arousa, the largest of the rías, past the mussel rafts, the bateas: keep under 8 knots near them.
Day 6, to Sálvora and Portonovo (19 NM). Out to Sálvora, the park's lighthouse island at the mouth of the ría, for lunch at anchor with an authorisation, then back to Portonovo for the night.
Day 7, to Vigo (22 NM). South past Ons and the Cíes and into the Ría de Vigo, back by Friday afternoon.
Two weeks add Baiona, 7 NM south of the Cíes, and Viana do Castelo in Portugal, about 27 NM further, if the operator allows it; A Coruña and the Rías Altas are 105 to 115 NM north round Cape Finisterre.
Practical points for a Galicia charter
Licences and park permits
Spanish rules apply: a licence from your EEA country, or a title on the Spanish list such as the ICC, within the limits printed on it, or the RYA Coastal Skipper; the park islands all lie within 12 NM of the coast. The Atlantic Islands national park needs a navigation permit, held by the charter company for the boat, and a daily anchoring authorisation booked online in order of request; in summer it must be confirmed in the 48 hours before the date or it is cancelled.
Wind and sea
Summer brings the Nortada: off the coast the wind comes from the north to north-north-west close to half the time, stronger in the afternoon. The swell runs in from the west and north-west, mostly under 2 m in summer. Tides range 3 to 4 m at springs and 1 to 1.5 m at neaps, so check the depth at low water before you anchor. Vigo airport records 8 to 9 days of fog a month in summer.
Moorings and fees
Berths cost less than in the Mediterranean: a 12 to 14 m yacht pays about 48 to 60 euros a night at the Real Club Náutico de Vigo, 61 to 76 euros at Baiona from June to September, 52 to 64 euros at Sanxenxo and 35 to 39 euros at Portonovo, with 35 to 50 percent more for a catamaran. In the park, boats without a holding tank may not stay overnight, and the speed limit is 4 knots.
Getting there
Vigo airport is about 15 minutes from the Real Club Náutico and 25 from Baiona; Santiago airport is about 1 h 25 by road and Porto about 1 h 45. Provisioning: supermarkets in Vigo, and the ría towns on the way.
Do we need experience of tides?
It helps: with 3 to 4 m of tide, anchoring depths and harbour approaches change through the day. Crews without tidal experience should take a skipper for the first days or keep to the sheltered rías.
Can we stay overnight in the Cíes?
Yes, at anchor off Rodas with the daily authorisation, if the boat has a holding tank. Numbers are capped in summer, so ask the operator to book as soon as your dates are fixed.
Can we sail to Portugal?
Viana do Castelo is about 27 NM south of Baiona, a day's sail, but it needs the operator's agreement; the Miño estuary on the border has strong tidal streams and is no place for a first visit.
What does Seeksail need to advise us?
Dates, cabins, licence held, tidal experience, skipper or not, and we shortlist three yachts from Vigo or Baiona with a recommendation.
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