Ria de Pontevedra
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| Ria de Pontevedra
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 Ria de Pontevedra looking SW | |
The Ria de Pontevedra lies on the coast of NW Spain around 12 miles S of the Ria de Arousa and 10 miles N of the Ria de Vigo. Sheltered from W by the islands of Illa de Ons and Illa de Onza, the ria extend just over ten miles from the entrance to the charming mediaeval town of Pontevedra. The ria also contains the towns of Sangenjo and Combarro, both with large modern marinas, as well as several peaceful anchorages, especially along its N shores. Shelter in the ria is good from the prevailing NW winds but it is exposed in strong S or SW winds, when the marinas or the small Ria de Aldan on the S side of the entrance offer the best shelter.
Charts
- British Admiralty
- 3633 - Islas Sisargas to Rio Mino
- 1732 – Ria de Pontevedra
- Imray
- C48 - A Coruna to Porto
Weather
The entrance to the ria is largely protected from N and W by the Illa de Ons and Illa de Onza, which stretch N-S about two miles off the entrance and keep out the worst of the Atlantic swell.
Fog is an occasional problem.
Sources for Weather forecasts:
- See Spain.
Passages
List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.
Communication
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
There are a number of rocky islands and reefs in the approaches from both N and S, but all are well charted. Directly opposite the entrance are the three mile long Illa de Ons and the small islet of Illa de Onza on its S side. Other than these, there are no hazards in the approach.
Berthing
Visiting yachts can usually find a berth at one of the four marinas in the Ria. Clockwise from the N side of the entrance, the marinas are:
- Club Nautico de Portonovo in Porto-Novo,
- Puerto Deportivo Juan Carlos I in Sangenjo (Sanxenxo in Galician) a mile to the E,
- the Puerto Deportivo de Combarro in the town of the same name five miles further into the ria – all on the N coast, and finally
- the Real Club de Mar de Aguete on the S coast of the ria opposite Sangenjo (although this is currently out of commission due to storm damage).
For separate Wiki page on Sangenjo, click on the link.
Equally, there are several lovely anchorages around the shores of the ria, near the towns of Sangenjo and Combarro and also in the small Ria de Aldan on the S side of the entrance.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Club Nautico de Portonovo
Club Nautico de Portonovo [[Ria de Pontevedra#Club Nautico de Portonovo|Club Nautico de Portonovo]] 42°23.73′N, 08°49.18′W 
Puerto Deportivo Juan Carlos I
Puerto Deportivo Juan Carlos I [[Ria de Pontevedra#Puerto Deportivo Juan Carlos I|Puerto Deportivo Juan Carlos I]] 42°23.86′N, 08°48.08′W It has a total of 370 berths (40 for yachts in transit) on pontoons. Maximum length 18 metres. Maximum depth 5.0 metres. Water and electricity on all pontoons. Toilets and showers (excellent). Hard standing (4,500 square metres). Travel lift (65T). Mobile crane (5T). Fuel station. Security (24 hour). Contact on VHF channel 9. Telephone: +34 986 720517. Email. Website. Chartlet.
Also see Sangenjo.
Puerto Deportivo de Combarro
Puerto Deportivo de Combarro [[Ria de Pontevedra#Puerto Deportivo de Combarro|Puerto Deportivo de Combarro]] 42°25.65′N, 08°42.27′W Real Club de Mar de Aguete
Real Club de Mar de Aguete [[Ria de Pontevedra#Real Club de Mar de Aguete|Real Club de Mar de Aguete]] 42°22.56′N, 08°44.09′W Anchorages
There are numerous sandy bays and small coves in the ria which could easily occupy one for a week to explore. Around Sangenjo and Combarro in particular there are several delightful anchorages where a yacht can stay overnight in settled weather. South of Combarro there is a good anchorage in the lee of Illa de Tambo, clear of the mussel rafts. Finally, there are several pretty sandy coves in the Ria de Aldan on the S side of the entrance which offer good shelter in S winds (again, avoiding the numerous mussel rafts).
Yacht Repairs and Services
Marine Stores
Basic chandlery in Sangenjo.
Repairs/Yards
At both marinas (Puerto Deportivo Juan Carlos I is better established).
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
Fuel, water and electricity at both marinas.
Things to do Ashore
Tourism
The principal tourist highjlights of the Ria de Pontevedra are the historic towns of Combarro and Pontevedra towards the head of the ria. Combarro is still a delightful and unspoilt fishing village (in spite of the big new marina there), which seems caught in a time warp. Most of its old granite-built houses, many of them with arcaded ground floors, still stand and the foreshore is lined with ranks of horreos (traditional Galician grain stores). Three miles E is the mediaeval settlement of Pontevedra, which has a very picturesque old town with winding, cobbled streets overlooked by arcaded granite buildings. A delightful lunch spot here is the square of Plaza de la Leña opposite the Pontevedra museum. The museum itself has some interesting prehistoric and Roman treasures unearthed in the area and a remarkable replica of a frigate cabin. Also worth a visit is the Iglesia de Santa Maria de Mayor, the fishermens’ church, with its intricate carvings on the fascia and inside the porch. For those of a religious bent, there is the Santuario de las Apariciones, a set of lodgings where Lucia de Fatima is reputed to have had a vision of the Virgin Mary and which is now a centre of pilgrimage.
Grocery & Supply Stores
- Supermarkets in Sangenjo and Pontevedra
- Provisions in Combarro
Eateries
- Numerous restaurants in Sangenjo and Pontevedra
- Excellent fish restaurants in Combarro.
Internet/WiFi
At the marinas.
Laundry
None.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Rental outlets in Sangenjo and Pontevedra.
Garbage Disposal
Bins at the marinas.
Transportation
- Local bus service Sangenjo – Combarro- Pontevedra.
- Train service to Santiago de Compostella
- Airport at Santiago de Compostela (65 kms)
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
- Ria de Pontevedra 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.
- Both Combarro and Pontevedra are delightful towns and full of character, unlike many of the reinforced concrete towns in the more northerly rias. --Atheneoflymington
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Ria de Pontevedra and this page's details validated:
- July 2000 -- Atheneoflymington
| This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly. |
 Contributors to this page |
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Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington |
