Ria de Pontevedra
From CruisersWiki
Ria de Pontevedra, Spain
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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
- Imray
- C48 - A Coruna to Porto
- British Admiralty
- 3633 - Islas Sisargas to Rio Mino
- 1732 – Ria de Pontevedra
Radio Nets
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
Local 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 main page for Spain.
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 options
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 Portonovo, 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 42°24′N, 08°49′W
is situated at the settlement of Portonovo a mile NE of the headland of Punta de Cabicastro on the N side of the ria. It offers a total of 200 berths on finger pontoons for yachts up to 20 metres (16 for visitors up to 15 metres). Maximum depth 3.0 metres. Water and electricity on all pontoons. Toilets and showers. Shops. Bar/restaurant. Laundry. Wifi. Travel lift (100T). Crane (?T). Slipway. Small hard standing. Contact on VHF channel 9. Telephone: +34 986 723266. Email. Website.
Puerto Deportivo Juan Carlos I 42°23.8′N, 08°48.1′W
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
Puerto Deportivo de Combarro 42°25.38′N, 08°42.12′W
offers a total of 334 berths on finger pontoons for yachts up to 30 metres. Maximum depth 4.5 metres. Water and electricity on all pontoons. Toilets and showers. Shops. Bars and restaurants. Fuel station. Wifi. Security (24 hour). Travel lift (50T). Mobile crane (5T). Small hard standing. Contact on VHF channel 9. Telephone: +34 986 778415. Email. Website.
Real Club de Mar de Aguete {42°22.53′N, 08°44.20′W
offers alongside berthing for smaller yachts (up to 12 metres) on two very long pontoons extending E from the short harbour breakwater. Maximum depth 2.5 metres. The pontoons are somewhat exposed, especially in strong northerly winds, and are currently (February 2014) unusable in the wake of storm damage. It is not known when or if they will be reinstated. There are no facilities on the pontoons. Club telephone number: +34 986 702373. Email. Website.
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.
Tourism and Things to do Ashore
Tourism
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The principal tourist highjlights of the Riad 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
Transportation (local and/or international)
- Local bus service Sangenjo – Combarro- Pontevedra.
- Train service to Santiago de Compostella
- Airport at Santiago de Compostela (65 kms)
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
Publications, Guides, etc.
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
- Both Combarro and Pontevedra are delightful towns and full of character, unlike many of the reinforced concrete towns in the more northerly rias. – Atheneoflymington
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- July 2000 -- Atheneoflymington
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Names: Atheneoflymington |
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| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | North Atlantic | Spain | NW Spain | Ria de Pontevedra | |
