La Coruna
From CruisersWiki
| La Coruna Port of Entry
| |
 The Darsena Deportiva Marina |
La Coruña (in Galician A Coruña) is the second largest port of Galicia in NW Spain and was the region's capital for over four centuries before Santiaga de Compostella took over the role in 1982. One theory of the origins of its name is from the prominent landmark of Torre de Hercules, a 2nd century AD Roman lighthouse at the end of the peninsula on which the original pre-Roman settlement was built (Latin: columna = column). The town prospered during the Roman era and was even visited by Julius Caesar, but declined after the fall of Rome and was subjected to attacks from invaders such as the Vikings and Normans right up to the late Middle Ages. From the 12th century onwards a process of slow recovery began and La Coruña became the capital of the Kingdom of Galicia in 1563. The strategic importance of the harbour is reflected in subsequent efforts to secure it, by an English fleet under Sir Francis Drake in 1589 (unsuccessful) and a later French army in 1809 (successful), when the British expeditionary force was evacuated from the port following the Battle of Corunna during the Peninsular War. However, the city took up arms and expelled the French only five months later. In the seventy years since the end of the Spanish Civil War, La Coruña has seen an exponential increase in population with the city's increasing industrialisation to today's total of nearly quarter of a million. During the peak tourist season of July and August, this total more than doubles, with the region's excellent beaches and investment in tourist infrastructure being the main attraction. The old town is famous for its characteristic glassed-in balconies, called galerías, which are reminiscent of the stern galleries of 19th century wooden warships and are a very practical solution for the frequent rainy days of winter. For the cruising yachtsman, La Coruña is a good staging post for a passage across the Bay of Biscay and offers marina berths in two separate basins (with a third under construction) as well as a sheltered anchorage inside the long Dique de Abrigo (breakwater) at the entrance.
Charts
- British Admiralty
- 1111 - Punta de la Estaca de Bares to Cabo Finisterrre
- 1094 - Rias de Ferrol, Areas, Betanzos and La Coruna
- 1110 - La Coruna and approaches
- Imray
- C43 Santander to A Coruna
Weather
Local weather conditions?
Sources for Weather forecasts: See Spain.
Passages
List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.
Islands
None.
Communication
Add here VHF channel for coastguard, harbor masters. etc.
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
Provide any navigation notes especially any dangers or peculiar local conditions here.
Entrance
La Coruna is a port of entry/exit to Spain..
See Spain
Berthing
There are three (and possibly four) options for yachts arriving in the harbour:
- The smart new Marina a Coruña to starboard on passing the end of the breakwater,
- the Marina Real in the Darsena Deportiva de la Coruña, the former fishing harbour of the old town a mile to the west of the breakwater,
- the Puerto Deportivo El Puntal, Oza in the Darsena de Oza, run by the Club Maritimo de Oza (which may accept a small visiting yacht), or
- alternatively, a yacht can anchor inside the breakwater clear of the mooring buoys wherever there is space.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Marina a Coruña
Marina Real 
43°22.2′N, 08°23.8′W
Is situated in the Darsena Deportiva de la Coruña close to the old town. Operated by the Real Club Nautico de la Coruna, the two basins of the marina have a total of 353 berths (40 for visitors). Maximum length 30 metres. Maximum depth 6.0+ metres. Water and electricity. Toilets and showers. Laundrette. Wifi. Travel lift (32T). Supermarket, banks and pharmacy nearby. Contact on VHF channel 9. The reception pontoon is situated at the hammerhead of the first pontoon opposite of the entrance. Telephone: +34 881 9914142. [Email]. [Website].
Puerto Deportivo El Puntal, Oza 43°20.55′N, 08°23.4′W
Is a 350-berth marina developed in the Darsena de Oza, about one mile due south of the harbour breakwater. It is run by the Club Maritimo de Oza. The marina is only suitable for small yachts up to 8.0 metres. Depths in the marina are 2.0 – 3.0 metres. It is not known if the club accepts visiting yachts (information needed). Contact on VHF channel 9. Telephone: +34 618 694755. [Email]. [Website].
See also details of nearby marina at Sada in the Ria de Betanzos 10 miles to the east.
Anchorages
- Anchor in the lee of the breakwater in 5.0 - 8.0 metres.
- Anchorage in bay of Mera two miles to NE of breakwater? (Details needed)
Yacht Repairs and Services
Marine Stores
- Efectos Navales Pompo at Avenida Primo de Rivera 8 is an excellent ship chandlery. It is more a fishermen's and ship chandlery than a yacht chandlery. Fair prices.
- Náutica Pompo, just a few houses on the left at Avenida Primo de Rivera 11, is the associated sail clothing shop
Repairs/Yards
Yard facilities at both marinas. Marina a Coruña appears to offer a wider range of maintenance and repair skills through its associated company Marina Seca .
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
- Water and electricity on pontoons at both marinas. Fuel only at the Marina a Coruña.
- Camping Gaz (blue bottles) at Ferretería Araujo, Calle del Marqués de Pontejos, 12.
Tourism and Things to do Ashore
Tourism
The old town of La Coruña is most attractive, with its glass-fronted galerías lining the harbour and atmospheric narrow streets winding behind it. There are several interesting churches worth visiting, such as the 12th century Iglesia Santiago, the 15th century Iglesia de Santa Maria del Campo and the 18th century Baroque church of San Jorge near the main square of Maria Pita. A walk along the peninsula to the Tower of Hercules, originally constructed by the Romans in the 2nd century AD, is a must to inspect this symbol of the city (it even features on the municipal coat of arms). For a fee, you can climb the interior staircase to see the wonderful views from the gallery at the top.
Grocery & Supply Stores
Several supermarkets and chandlery-type shops in the old town.
Eateries
- Calle de Franja near Maria Pita square has some good fish restaurants.
- Rey de Jamon, a small characterful bar at the top of Calle de Franja, is a great place for lunch, surrounded by air-curing hams.
Internet/WiFi
- WiFi in both marinas.
- In Coruña a public WiFi is available in several places (e.g. Plaza de María Pita): 'SmartCoruna'.
Laundry
At both marinas.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Numerous outlets in the old town.
Garbage Disposal
Bins at the marinas.
Transportation
International: Coruña Airport. A special airport to old town coach line brings you to the Marina Real/Paseo Maritimo for just €1,50. Weekdays every 30 minutes, weekends once an hour.
Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forums
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
Links
- La Coruna at the Wikipedia
References & Publications
See Spain.
Comments
We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to La Coruna and this page's details validated:
- August 2000 --Atheneoflymington
- September 2016 --Raz
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Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington |
