North West coast of Spain

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Revision as of 14:06, 12 September 2010

North West Spanish Coast

The magical Islas Cies of Galicia

Background

The North West coast of Spain, which extends from the Atlantic border with France round the NW corner and down as far as the harbour of Bayona, is one of the most neglected and therefore unspoiled cruising grounds in the whole of Europe. Starting from the small French port of Hendaye on the border with Spain, a cruise west along this little-frequented southern coast of the Bay of Biscay takes in the major cities of San Sebastian, Bilbao, Santander and Gijon before reaching the start of the Galician coast at Ribadeo. Along this coast, which includes the Spanish regions of the Basque country (Pais Vasco), Cantabria and Asturias as well as Galicia, are also some charming smaller harbours such as Lequetio, Guetaria, Castro Urdiales and Ribadesella which are only occasionally visited by yachts and where fishing is still a staple of the community. From Ribadeo, a yacht continuing on west and then south ‘around the corner’ will be greeted by one of the loveliest sailing areas in Spain, the sea inlets or Rias of Galicia. This stretch also has its share of major ports such as A Coruna (Corunna), Vigo and Bayona, but the true delights of this coast are the smaller harbours tucked into its deep sea inlets, such as the Rias of Ribadeo, Viveiro, Cedeira, Corme, Camarinhas, Muros, Pontevedra and Vigo. There are only a few proper harbours or marinas in the Rias, but the chief pleasure is in anchoring in superbly sheltered waters with excellent holding and just pottering ashore in the dinghy whenever a good stretch of the legs or a change of cuisine is called for. Fifteen miles south of Bayona at the mouth of the Ria de Vigo, the last of the Rias, Spanish waters end and a yacht will enter Portuguese waters.

Charts

Submit the chart details that are required for safe navigation.

Radio Nets

Submit details of local radio Nets.

Coastal Passages

Most yachts cruising this area arrive from the French coast of Brittany since a sail north from the Mediterranean pits a yacht against the prevailing winds and - what is worse - the considerable Atlantic swell that seems to roll incessantly along this coast. The most common route is from one of the west Brittany ports such as La Rochelle or Les Sables d'Olonne down across the Bay of Biscay to Gijon or A Coruna (Corunna). However, this route misses out some of the most delightful ports along the coast, such as St Jean de Luz in France and Lequetio, Guetaria and Casto Urdiales in Spain - not to mention the fascinating city of San Sebastian. A much better route if you have time (and one which avoids the risk of encountering severe conditions on a long passage across Biscay) is to follow the French coast as far as the Ile d'Oleron and proceed from there down to St Jean de Luz - possibly calling in at Royan if you wish to shorten the passage. This entails a passage of around 200 miles instead of the 300-400 miles involved in a sail across Biscay. Some yachts even stop halfway at Arcachon, although the entrance here is shallow and on a lee shore in the prevailing winds.

Immigration & Customs

See the Spain main page.

Ports and popular stops

• Bayona (Port of entry)
• Bilbao (Port of entry)
• Casto Urdiales
• Cudillero
• Gijon
• Guetaria
• La Coruna (Port of entry)
• Lequeitio
• Ria De Camarinhas
• Ria De Cedeira
• Ria De Corme
• Ria De Muros
• Ria De Pontevedra
• Ria de Ribadeo
• Ria De Vigo
• Ria De Viveiro
• Ribadesella
• Sada
• San Sebastian
• Sangenjo
• Santander (Port of entry)
• Vigo (Port of entry)
• Villagarcia de Arousa

Offshore Islands

• Ilas Cies (north of Bayona opposite the Ria de Vigo)
• Illa de Ons (opposite Ria de Pontevedra)

References & Publications

Publications, etc.

Cruiser's Friends

• Cruiser Log moderator "NAUSIKAA" (Stephen) is currently living and working in Vigo. Visiting yachts are welcome to contact Stephen, using the messaging facility on the Cruiser Log site, who will be glad to offer any assistance he can.

Forum Discussions

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

External Links

Links to relevant websites.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

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