Ria de Betanzos
From CruisersWiki
| Ria de Betanzos
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 Ria de Betanzos looking SSE |
The Ria de Betanzos is situated on the coast of NW Spain around nine miles NE of La Coruna and immediately S of the Ria de Ferrol. An attractive ria with several sandy beaches around its shores, it is popular with yachtsmen in view of its proximity to La Coruna and it is well served with two large marinas at Sada in the S arm and Ares on the N coast, plus several lovely beach anchorages in settled weather. The town of Betanzos two miles upriver from the southernmost extremity of the ria is a historic town, originally Roman, and has a number of picturesque churches and palaces as well as retaining three of its original four town gates.
Charts
- British Admiralty
- 1111 - Punta de la Estaca de Bares to Cabo Finisterrre
- 1094 - Rias de Ferrol, Areas, Betanzos and La Coruna
- Imray
- C43 Santander to A Coruna
Weather
The entrance to the ria is nearly three miles wide and W or NW winds send in a heavy swell. However, the areas around Sada and Ares are out of the worst of the swell, as are the anchorages further south around the settlement of Mino.
Sources for Weather forecasts: See Spain.
Passages
List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.
Islands
None.
Communication
Add here VHF channel for the coastguard, harbor masters. etc.
Also see Cruiser's Nets
The entrance is free from dangers, though note that the bays along the S shores are usually filled with mussel rafts. Once in the ria, most yachts turn either due N for the marina at Ares, at the W end of the horseshoe-shaped bay of the same name, or S for the larger marina at Sada on the W coast of the southern arm of the ria.
Berthing
Visiting yachts can usually find a berth at either Marina Ares or Marina Sada. In suitable weather conditions, there are over a dozen sandy coves around the ria where a yacht can anchor overnight, especially in the southern arm.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Marina Sada
Marina Ares
Marina Ares [[Ria de Betanzos#Marina Ares|Marina Ares]] (Club Nautico Ria de Ares) 43°25.345'N, 008°14.339'W Marina Ares offers 200 berths for yachts up to 16 metres in depths of up to 5.0 metres at the settlement of Ares. Water and electricity. Toilets and showers. Wifi. Laundry. Fuel berth. Bar/restaurant.
- [email protected]; Tel: +34 (610) 737 344; Fax: +XX (XXX) XXXXXX; VHF channel 09
- Address: Avda. General Gabeiras, s / n, Ares, A Coruña 15624, Spain
- Hours:
- Prices: For the latest prices see Price Listing
Anchorages
There are several small coves along the N and S coasts of the ria, often backed by sandy beaches. Shelter in all of them is moderate to good, depending on conditions, but most of them except the ones in the vicinity of Ares offer poor shelter in northerlies.
Amenities
| Facilities | |
|---|---|
| Water | In both Marina Sada and Marina Ares |
| Electricity | In both Marina Sada and Marina Ares |
| Toilets | In both Marina Sada and Marina Ares |
| Showers | In both Marina Sada and Marina Ares |
| Laundry | In both Marina Sada and Marina Ares |
| Garbage | Bins near the marinas |
| Supplies | |
| Fuel | Fuel dock in both Marina Sada and Marina Ares |
| Bottled gas | ? |
| Chandlers | Basic chandlery only in Marina Sada |
| Services | |
| Repairs | In Marina Sada |
| Internet | WiFi in both Marina Sada and Marina Ares |
| Mobile connectivity | ? |
| Vehicle rentals | Rental outlets in Betanzos |
Provisioning
Supermarkets in Sada and Ares.
Eating out
Several restaurants in Sada and Ares. Also in both Marina Sada and Marina Ares
Transportation
- Buses into La Coruna
Tourism
Sada and Ares are pleasant but modern towns. The main tourist attraction on land is the town of Betanzos two miles S upriver from the S extremity of the ria. Originally a Roman settlement, Betanzos still retains one of the best preserved old quarters in Galicia. Three of the original mediaeval town gates survive, together with a number of fine baroque palaces. The 14th-century church of St Francis (Igrexa de San Francisco) and 15th-century church of St James (Igrexa de Santiago) are well worth a visit.
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 Betanzos at the Wikipedia
References
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 Ria de Betanzos and this page's details validated:
- July 2000 -- Atheneoflymington
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 Contributors to this page |
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Names: Athene of Lymington |
