Ria de Vigo

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Revision as of 15:55, 6 February 2014

Ria de Vigo, Spain

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	42°13.86′N, 08°49.26′W
	Photo gallery
	[ Local chartlet]

Ria de Vigo looking W
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Anchorage in the idyllic Islas Cies
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The Ria de Vigo lies on the coast of NW Spain around 10 miles S of the Ria de Pontevedra and five miles N of Bayona. The most southerly of the rias, and the last before the Portuguese border, it is sheltered from W by the beautiful Illas Cies, now a protected national park. Within the ria are the major city of Vigo with its suburb of Bouzas as well as the smaller settlements of Moana and Cangas. Vigo is a popular spot for yachts to lay up in view of its good transport connections and wide range of marine service, while anchoring at the Illas Cies is an unmissable experience. Shelter in the ria is good in most conditions except with strong SW winds, which send in a considerable swell.

Charts

Imray

C48 - A Coruna to Porto

British Admiralty

3633 - Islas Sisargas to Rio Mino

1730 – Ria de Vigo

1731 – Spain West Coast, Puerto de Vigo

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Local Weather

The entrance to the ria is largely protected from N and W by the Illas Cies, which stretch N-S just under 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.

Approach and Navigation

There are a number of rocky islands and reefs in the approaches from both N and S, but all are well charted. If coming fro Bayona, it is possible in settled weather to pass inside the Illas Estelas, a group of rocky islets on the N side of Bayona bay, but it is safer to pass outside in bad weather. On the N side of the entrance to the ria is the archipelago of the Illas Cies with an isolated islet a mile S of the three main islands. Other than these, there are no hazards in the approach.

Berthing options

Visiting yachts can usually find a berth at the four marinas at the city of Vigo and its suburb of Bouzas (for details see the separate Wiki page for Vigo. Further small marinas can be found at the settlements of Cangas and Moana on the N shores of the ria and that of San Adrian de Cobres under the road bridge in the tidal lagoon of Enseada de San Simon.

There are also several good settled weather anchorages around the shores of the ria, near the towns of Cangas and Moana and also (depending on a yacht's draft) in the sheltered lagoon of Enseada de San Simon.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

For details of the Vigo and Bouzas marinas, see the Vigo page.

Porto Deportivo Cangas {42°15.38′N, 08°46.48′W
has a total of 269 berths on finger pontoons. Maximum length 20 metres. Maximum depth 4.0 metres. Water and electricity on all pontoons. Toilets and showers. Laundry. Wifi. Small area of hard standing. Travel lift (64T). Mobile crane (8T). Fuel station. Security (24 hour). Contact on VHF channel 6. Telephone: +34 617 304246. [Email]. [Website]

Puerto Deportivo de Moana' {42°16.58′N, 08°44.08′W
offers a total of 347 relatively shallow berths on finger pontoons for yachts up to 17 metres. Maximum depth 3.0 metres. Water and electricity on all pontoons. No hard standing. Contact on VHF channel 9. Telephone: +34 986 311140. [Email]. [Website]. The marina is very busy in summer.

Anchorages

There are several sandy bays in the ria which offer good anchorage in settled weather, especially along the N coast from the entrance to the ria and near the settlements of Cangas and Moana. With care and attention to the tides, it is possible to pass under the high road bridge at the E and of the ria and into the Enseada de San Simon, where it is possible to anchor in perfect shelter from all except E winds near the settlement of San Adrian de Cobres.

However, the most beautiful anchorages – arguably the best in whole of Galicia if not of Spain – are on the E side of the Illas Cies, where there are three coves on the north and middle islands, Illa de Monte Agudo and Illa del Faro, and another on Illa San Martino to the south. The Illas Cies are now designated a national park and permit is necessary to visit (see below).

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

Good chandleries in Vigo.

Repairs/Yards

Good repair facilities at most of the Vigo marinas.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Water and electricity at al the marinas. Fuel in Vigo and Cangas.

Tourism and Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The beach on Isla del Faro, Illas Cies
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Unusual rock formations on Monte Agudo, Illas Cies
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Itinerant folk musicians on the streets of Vigo
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Street in the Casco Vello, Vigo
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Most visiting yachts sooner or later make a beeline for the magical Islas Cies, where there are several idyllic anchorages on the two main islands of Illa de Monte Agudo and Illa del Faro. Both islands are also worth exploring on foot – especially Illa de Monte Agudo, where it is possible to climb to the top of the eponymous mountain where there are unusual eroded rock formations and magnificent views over the Ria de Vigo. Although tripper boat visitors are limited to 2,000 daily, the great majority stay on the beaches and you may well be alone up here even in high season.

A permit is necessary to visit and the application form can be downloaded via the national park webage at [1] or directly from [2]. Supporting documentation is required in the form of boat registration documents, certificate of competence and passport or ID card (it is a good idea to scan these in before you embark for the Rias as it is then possible to apply online).

The old centre of Vigo, the Casco Vello, is also worth a visit, with its narrow streets exuding character. Vigo also boasts some good museums, including an important Museum of Contemporary Art and a Museum of the Sea. The Castro fortress is worth a detour to explore its ramparts and peaceful gardens.

Grocery & Supply Stores

Supermarkets in Vigo, Cangas and Moana.

Eateries

Numerous restaurants in Vigo, Cangas and Moana. Vigo, as one would expect, has some excellent choices.

Internet/WiFi

At Cangas and most of the Vigo marinas.

Laundry

At Cangas and in Vigo city.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Rental outlets in Vigo.

Garbage Disposal

Bins at the marinas.

Transportation

Transportation (local and/or international)

• Local bus service to Bayona and Pontevedra.
• Train service to Santiago de Compostela
• Airports at Vigo and 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.

• National Park website
• Wikipedia
• Galicia tourism website

References & Publications

Publications, Guides, etc.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

• The Illas Cies are still the most beautiful anchorages we have encountered, even after twelve years in the Med. It's even possible to go ashore before the tripper boats arrive and have the beach to yourself! – 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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