Bayona

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Revision as of 22:18, 7 February 2014

Bayona, Spain

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	42°07.38′N, 08°50.46′W
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet

Bayona (in Galician Baiona) is a historic town in NW Spain, immediately south of the Ria de Vigo, blessed with a well-sheltered natural harbour as well as a yacht club and marina. It is the most southerly of the Galician harbours and, if heading south, the last proper harbour before the Portuguese border. Founded as long ago as 140BC, the town was granted a royal charter by King Alfonso IX of Leon in 1201 and in 1370 briefly became the seat of King Ferdinand I of Portugal until returning to Spanish hands in 1372. Perhaps the town's most famous claim to fame was the arrival here on 1 March 1493 of the Pinta, the fastest of Christopher Columbus's three ships on his epic voyage of discovery and therefore the first to bring the news of the discovery of America. A replica of the vessel is now permanently moored in the harbour. Bayona has been for many years a popular staging post for yachtsmen crossing the Atlantic or cruising along the Atlantic coast of Spain and Portugal. The Monte Real Club Nautico de Baiona has traditionally offered visiting yachts a berth on its marina-style pontoons or buoys and since 2003 the new Puerto Deportivo de Baiona offers a further 370 marina-style moorings. For those sailing on a budget or simply 'wanting to be alone' there is ample space to anchor in the bay. To the north at the entrance to the Ria de Vigo are the wonderful and unspoilt Islas Cies, the like of which few cruising yachtsmen will encounter again until arriving in the Caribbean or the Aegean.

Charts

Imray

C48 - A Coruna to Porto

British Admiralty

3633 - Islas Sisargas to Rio Mino

1730 - (approaches only)

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Local Weather

Shelter in the bay of Bayona is excellent in virtually all conditions. Even NE winds, with a fetch of nearly two miles across the bay, do not seem to pose any major threat.

Sources for Weather forecasts:

Approach and Navigation

Straightforward, but there are offshore rocky islets to be avoided both to the west and north. If arriving from the north, there is a useful passage inside the small rocky islets of Islas Las Estelas north of Bayona which has depths of 4.0 - 5.0 metres. It saves up to an hour, but should not be used if there is a big swell running. As you approach Bayona bay, the fortress of Monte Real on the headland protecting it from the west is conspicuous.

Berthing options

If intending to berth at the yacht club on the pontoons or buoys, call Monte Real Club de Yates on VHF channel 09 or telephone: +34 986 385107. Club office hours 0900 - 1400 and 1600-1900. If berthing at the marina, call on VHF channel 09 or telephone: :+34 986 385 107. E-mail: [email protected]. It is also possible to reserve a berth online at: www.puertobaiona.com (click on Reservations).

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

• The Monte Real Club Nautico has three long piers with a total of 221 berths on finger pontoons, of which 40 are supposedly designated for visitors. Yachts of up to 40 metres can be accommodated. Toilets and showers. Restaurant. WiFi. Travel lift (18) and crane (1.5T). Very small hard standing (300 square metres). Additional moorings are available on buoys north and east of the pontoons. Note: the charge is the same for both the pontoon berths and the buoys.
• The Puerto Deportivo de Baiona is a new marina established in 2003, offering 370 berths on seven pontoons, of which 14 are designated for visitors (assuming an average length of 14 metres). The visitors' berths are alongside the long reception pier linking the seven pontoons. Maximum length accommodated is 40 metres. Water and electricity at all berths. Toilets and showers. WiFi. Travel lift (45T) and crane (5T). Fuel berth. Small hard standing (1600 square metres).

Anchorages

• There is a small anchorage in 8.0 - 10.0 metres just east of the yacht club buoys. Be sure to leave the fairway to the fishing boat jetty clear or you will learn some Spanish swearwords!
• It is also possible to anchor off the beach of Playa de Ladeira about a mile to the east, although the shelter is less good here and the anchorage would probably become untenable in strong northerlies.
• The Islas Cies five miles north of Bayona have several wonderful anchorages off dazzlingly white beaches. Sadly, however, access is now strictly controlled and a permit is needed (you will be heavily fined if you don't get one). For details, visit: Islas Cies Info. The easiest way is to visit is to ask the yacht club to organise a permit for you (details needed here of current charges).

Offshore Islands and Groups

• Islas Cies (five miles NNW - several anchorages but permit now needed)
• Islas Las Estelas (two miles N - no anchorages)

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.

Repairs/Yards

Most repairs can be organised through the yacht club. Also hull cleaning and painting, joinery and a diver.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel pontoons at yacht club and marina are both open from 0800 to 2200. Marina pontoon has minimum depth at low water of 2.5 metres. Water and electricity at all berths at both club and marina.

Tourism and Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The old town of Bayona has great atmosphere and the mediaeval street plan is a delight to explore. The replica of the Pinta moored in the harbour can also be visited. There is a good walk up to the Vierxe da Rocha, a huge statue of the Virgin on a rocky promontory above the town. The park surrounding the statue has lots of shade under the pine trees and is an excellent place for a picnic. If you are lucky enough to be here on the last Sunday in August, there is a huge festival, with fireworks, traditional dancing, Galician pipe bands and an outdoor barbecue charcoal grilling sardines for the faithful.

Bayona yacht club pontoon berths	Bayona yacht club buoys
Galician dance, Festival of the Vierxe da Rocha	Idyllic beach, Islas Cies

Grocery & Supply Stores

Supermarkets, bakeries and provisions shops in the old town. The bread here is some of the best to be found in Spain.

Eateries

• Several good 'rustic-style' bodegas up the hill in the old town.

Internet/WiFi

WiFi (free) at yacht club and at marina.

Laundry

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Garbage Disposal

Bins at the yacht club and in the marina. Also on the fishermen's jetty if you are at anchor.

Transportation

Transportation (local and/or international)

Routes/Passages To/From

Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

Links to relevant websites.

References & Publications

See main page for Spain

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• August 2000 --Atheneoflymington

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