5-day tour of the Atlantic Islands National Park on a catamaran

The Starting Point: The seafaring town of Baiona

Our adventure begins in Baiona, one of the best-preserved, most charming, and traditional ports in all of Galicia. This coastal town breathes history through every cobblestone street of its old town; fittingly, it was the first place in Europe to receive news of the Discovery of America with the arrival of the Caravel Pinta in 1493.

Our marina, the Monte Real Club de Yates, is nestled within the imposing Monterreal Fortress—now a Parador hotel—a perfectly preserved walled compound rising over a peninsula protecting the bay. It is the perfect setting to kick off our journey.

The Voyage Onboard: The spectacle of Costa da Vela
We hoist the sails and head north, leaving Baiona Bay behind. During this first day's sailing, we will cross the mouth of the Ría de Vigo to take on one of the most stunning stretches of coastline in the Rías Baixas: the breathtaking Costa da Vela.
Nature in motion: This is the ideal moment to lie back on the catamaran's bow net, feel the pure Atlantic breeze, and keep a watchful eye on the sea: this confluence of currents is the favorite habitat of Galician "arroaces" (bottlenose dolphins), which often come to play and escort the boat's wake.

The Destination: Ons Archipelago
Following the spectacle of Costa da Vela, the Ría de Pontevedra welcomes us to the Ons Archipelago. We will drop anchor in the sheltered waters on its eastern side, ready to discover an island that seamlessly blends seafaring authenticity with untouched nature.

Your Ons Highlights:

El Buraco do Inferno: On the island's western side (the wildest and most exposed to the ocean), we will peer into this spectacular "furna" or sea cave. Legend has it that the roaring sounds of the sea crashing against the bottom are actually the wails of souls in the underworld. An awe-inspiring viewpoint to feel the raw power of nature.

Pristine sandy beaches: We will enjoy secluded spots like Melide Beach, a white, pristine stretch of sand with turquoise waters, perfect for a swim of absolute relaxation.

The octopus paradise: Ons preserves a small village of around 60 inhabitants and a deep-rooted fishing heritage. You cannot leave without stepping ashore to taste its signature dish: authentic "Pulpo á Illa" (island-style octopus), caught right among the archipelago's rocks.

The privilege of anchoring: At dusk, as the visitor ferries head back to the mainland, the island reclaims its solitary magic. We will enjoy dinner onboard under a star-studded sky, gently rocked by the calm of a VIP anchorage that only a lucky few get to experience.

Departure: 10:00 AM
Distance: 15 nautical miles
Arrival: 1:00 PM
Activities: Trekking around the island
Lunch: Local restaurant to savor island specialties such as octopus and "empanada de millo" (cornmeal pie).
Dinner: Onboard

Stage 2: From oceanic blue to the green heart of the estuary (Ons Island – Cortegada Island)

The Farewell: Atlantic sunrise in Ons
The day begins with the privilege that only sleeping aboard provides: waking to the gentle lapping of water against the hull and the sunrise light washing over Ons Island. After a hearty breakfast in the catamaran's cockpit, we weigh anchor to leave this oceanic bastion behind and set a northern course.

The Voyage aboard: Venturing into the "Mar de Arousa"

This leg is fascinating for its contrasting scenery. We will sail skirting the O Grove peninsula and the turquoise coves of San Vicente do Mar, heading into the Ría de Arousa, the largest, deepest, and most productive estuary in all of Galicia.

A labyrinth of wood and life: As we venture deeper into the ría, we will begin maneuvering close around the famous bateas, the massive floating wooden platforms where Galician mussels are farmed. It is an engaging and cultural sailing experience, witnessing firsthand how the local shellfish industry operates.
Change of scenery: You will notice how the landscape transforms radically. We move from rugged terrain and open-sea battered cliffs to sailing across a vast, tranquil estuary, flanked by evergreen hillsides and sheltered waters that feel like an enormous saltwater lake.

The Destination: The lush magic of Cortegada Island

We reach the innermost part of the ría, right where the fresh waters of the Ulla River blend with the Atlantic salinity. There emerges Cortegada, the most distinctive and mysterious island in the entire National Park. Do not expect long stretches of white sand; Cortegada is an explosion of luxuriant vegetation, an island straight out of an ancient Celtic tale.

Your Cortegada highlights:
Europe's largest laurel forest: Upon going ashore, we will step beneath the canopy of a laurel forest (Laurus nobilis) reaching over 13 meters in height. Walking its trails, wrapped in soft gloom and inhaling the rich, balsamic scent of this medicinal plant, is an almost mystical experience.

Shellfish: The island is strategically surrounded by nutrient-rich sandbanks. These seabeds serve as natural nurseries for the prized and exclusive Carril clam. Depending on the tide, we can closely observe the laborious, artisanal work of the local female shellfish harvesters (mariscadoras).
Ruins and devotion: We will explore the remains of its old cobblestone hamlet and discover the historic Chapel of the Virgin of the Miracles (Virgen de los Milagros), an ancient destination for healing pilgrimages where locals came to take traditional sea, sun, and saltwater baths.

A "mirror-like" anchorage: We will drop anchor very close to the coast, in glassy waters sheltered from any wind. We will spend the night immersed in total silence, surrounded by woodland, enjoying one of the most serene and peaceful dinners of the entire voyage.

Departure: 10:00
Distance: 19 miles
Arrival: 13:30
Activities: Island hiking
Lunch: Carril village
Dinner: On board

We start the day in Cortegada paying close attention to the tide tables, as the currents at the mouth of the Ulla River set the navigation pace in this area. After breakfast on board, we weigh anchor to sail down the main channel of the Ría de Arousa.

The Voyage on board: Sailing among mussel platforms (bateas) and the Areoso sandbank. Descending the ría allows us to observe up close the economic engine of the region. We will navigate through the orderly grid of bateas, the floating wooden rafts where mussels, oysters, and variegated scallops are cultivated. The waters of Arousa are among the richest in the world thanks to "upwelling", an oceanographic phenomenon that pushes nutrients from the depths of the Atlantic up to the surface.

Mid-morning, nautical charts will require us to exercise extreme caution as we approach the shallows of the Areoso Islet. This area is part of the Natura 2000 Network and enjoys a strict level of environmental and heritage protection. Its fragile dune system is a nesting ground for protected birds, such as the Kentish plover (píllara das dunas), and houses significant megalithic sites. Due to this vulnerability, the Xunta de Galicia regulates land access through limited daily quotas and restricted anchorages. We will be able to go ashore and enjoy this slice of wild Caribbean in the heart of Galicia.

The Destination: Sálvora, the natural breakwater of the ría. The Sálvora archipelago acts as a formidable geological barrier that shelters inner Arousa. It is an astonishing place, with a landscape completely distinct from other archipelagos due to rock erosion on a composition more malleable than that of the other islands, creating sculpted shapes like penedos, cacholas, and pías, alongside a deep fishing heritage.

Your maritime culture essentials on this stage:

• The old salting factory: Upon landing on Sálvora, we will visit the current "Pazo", once Galicia's first fish-salting factory (the "Otero"). It is a living lesson on how fish was processed and preserved before the advent of industrial refrigeration.

• The lighthouse and maritime safety: We will walk to the Sálvora Lighthouse, an essential facility for signaling along the rugged Galician coastline. Here we will recount the history of the mail steamship Santa Isabel, wrecked in 1921, and the heroic action of the women of Sálvora who ventured into the sea aboard dornas (traditional wooden boats) to rescue the survivors.

• The abandoned village: We will explore the ruins of the village, a settlement designed with functional architecture to withstand harsh weather conditions. Its inhabitants were tenant farmers who balanced subsistence farming with coastal fishing and labor in the fisheries owned by the island's proprietors.

Departure: 10:00h
Distance: 13 nautical miles
Arrival: 12:30h (Technical stop at Areoso) / 17:00h (Destination Sálvora)
Activities: Shellfish farming observation at Areoso / Visit to the old salting factory and Sálvora lighthouse
Lunch: On board (anchored at the Areoso sandbanks)
Dinner: On board (at the Sálvora Castle anchorage)

Morning maneuver: Casting off on the Atlantic front. We wake up at the Sálvora Castle anchorage.

The Passage on board: Crossing the ría entrances. This is the leg with the most oceanic character of the route. We will sail south, first crossing the mouth of the Ría de Pontevedra and leaving Ons Island off our starboard bow. During the crossing, it is common to encounter trawlers, purse seiners, and to spot cetaceans such as bottlenose dolphins patrolling these waters.

The Destination: Cíes, the natural breakwater and jewel of the national park. After several hours of sailing, the granitic massif of the Cíes archipelago emerges on the horizon. Composed of three main islands (Monteagudo, do Faro, and San Martiño), this archipelago is indisputably the crown jewel of the National Park and its most visited area. It acts as an immense natural breakwater holding back the Atlantic storms, allowing the Ría de Vigo to remain a safe harbor and a calm-water estuary.

Your maritime and marine culture highlights in Cíes:
• The best beach in the world and its geological role: We will anchor off Rodas Beach, hailed by The Guardian as the most beautiful beach in the world. From a maritime perspective, Rodas is a prehistoric sandbar that naturally connects the islands of Monteagudo and do Faro, creating a dune barrier of great ecological and scenic value.

• San Martiño, the "private" island: Separated from the rest by the narrow Freu da Porta channel, the South Island (San Martiño) has no regular ferry service or passenger boats. It is accessible only by private vessel. Landing here gives us the privilege of exploring a virtually untouched island with a pristine beach without the crowds of the northern island.

• Lago dos Nenos: The saltwater lagoon trapped behind Rodas Beach is an intertidal ecosystem of immense value. It serves as a nursery and breeding ground for numerous fish and crustacean species that find refuge here before venturing into the open sea.
• The lighthouse and control of the ría: We will hike up to the Cíes Lighthouse, situated 178 meters above sea level. This beacon was and remains essential for commercial navigation towards Vigo. From here, we will look back at the history of Cíes as an anchorage for Roman fleets and an operational base for English privateers, such as Francis Drake, who used its strategic position to raid traffic in the ría.

A regulated anchorage of high ecological value: Spending the night in the Cíes requires a specific anchoring permit. We will drop anchor off Rodas Beach or in the exclusive cove of San Martiño. The holding ground consists of white sand, offering excellent grip and exceptionally clear waters.

Departure: 10:00 AM
Distance: 17 nautical miles
Arrival: 1:00 PM
Activities: Ocean sailing / Exclusive landing at San Martiño / Hike up to Cíes Lighthouse and Alto do Príncipe.
Lunch: On board
Dinner: At the best restaurant on the island.

The final dawn: The privilege of a solitary anchorage Waking up anchored in Cíes is a luxury reserved for sailors. The archipelago gifts us a few hours of absolute silence, broken only by the calling of seagulls and the lap of water against the hull. After one last breakfast in the catamaran's cockpit, we prepare our light gear to head ashore in the dinghy and make the most of this peaceful morning window.

Morning trek: Conquering the Alto do Príncipe With the sand of Rodas Beach still untouched, we begin our ascent to Alto do Príncipe. This trail is essential to understand the geological and maritime duality of the islands. As we gain altitude, we walk among pines and low scrub, hardy vegetation adapted to constant exposure to salt spray and Atlantic winds.
Reaching the summit (111 meters above sea level), the landscape opens up dramatically. Here, Cíes' role as a protective shield is clearly visible: behind us, the calm waters of the Ría de Vigo; in front of us, the imposing cliffs of the western face plunging sheer into a churning Atlantic Ocean. We will discover unique rock formations sculpted by wind and sea erosion, known as tafoni, and peer out from the "Queen's Chair" (Silla de la Reina), a natural stone viewpoint.

The final passage: Leaving the park's shelter We return on board by mid-morning. We set a southerly course to exit the ría through the southern passage, skirting the southern island of San Martiño.

We hoist the sails one last time to enjoy a delightful coastal sail. As we make our way south, the coastline prepares us for our return to civilization. We sail with our sights set on the Estelas Islands, another small natural haven at the entrance to the bay, paying close attention to the buoys and beacons marking the safe navigation channels toward our final destination.

The Destination: Baiona, historic port and passage finale Around midday, the imposing Monterreal Fortress, perched on the Monte Boi peninsula, emerges on the horizon marking the entrance to Baiona Bay. Sailing into this port is like stepping into a maritime history book. The fortress walls, which have sheltered fleets from storms and pirate raids for centuries, welcome us into calmer waters.

We moor at the Monte Real Club de Yates in the Royal Town of Baiona, concluding our passage in the very place that changed the course of world navigation history. It was in these exact waters, on March 1, 1493, that the caravel Pinta, captained by Martín Alonso Pinzón, made landfall, making Baiona the first port in Europe to receive word of the Discovery of America. An unbeatable conclusion filled with nautical symbolism to bid farewell to our expedition across the Rías Baixas.

Your essentials for wrapping up the route:


• Geological contrast at Alto do Príncipe: Observe from above the striking difference between the eastern face (gentle beaches and breeding lagoons) and the western face (vertical cliffs battered by open ocean swells).


• The replica of the Pinta: Once ashore, stroll along the pontoons and visit the exact replica of the caravel moored at the dock, gaining insight into the grueling conditions of 15th-century ocean voyages.

Departure: 11:30 AM (after the hiking trail)
Distance: 10 nautical miles
Arrival: 1:00 PM
Activities: Guided trek to Alto do Príncipe in Cíes / Sailing through the southern passage / Arrival in Baiona
Lunch: Farewell lunch ashore (enjoying the excellent local gastronomy in Baiona's historic center is highly recommended)