Ria de Arousa - General Info
COVID19: OPEN PORT
Status: Open to all yachts from 15 June, 2020.
- See Spain Biosecurity for details.
Description:
Ria de Arousa is the largest of the Rias Baixas. Protected by Isla Salvora (part of the Atlantic Islands National Park) at its entrance, it is home to half of the 3,500 bateas that are used to farm mussels in this part of Spain.
It’s a busy Ria, with the constant activity of the mussel boats, however, it is possible to find numerous anchorages that feel remote and the various towns in the Ria provide a real taste of Galician food and character.
The various marinas here offer secure facilities to leave a boat long-term. Although the summer season is busy, space is always available. A new boatyard facility opened in April 2013 on Ila de Arousa with a 180-ton travel lift, making this a possible choice for wintering your boat and carrying out repairs.
Visit the old town of Cambados, home town of Albarino wine, and the pretty Pobra do Carabinal. Anchor at Isla de Salvora, visit the Corrubedo, walk the nature paths in the hills behind Vilagarcia and of course, don’t leave without trying some mussels.
Note: To anchor at Isla de Salvora you have to first apply for a Navigation Permit online. See Restrictions for more details.
Position:
42° 27.70’N, 08° 58.20’W (ria entrance)
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Related to following destinations: North West Spain, Ria de Arousa, Spain
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I must add a word of praise for the marina in Vilanova de Arousa. It is not really a “visitors’ marina” and the small town has little appeal, except for lovely walks along the sandy beaches to the south of the town. One small supermarket about 1km away.
There are a handful of berths sometimes free on the pontoon hammerheads, but the rest of the marina is generally full. Showers are basic (but there are plans to upgrade them), water and electricity everywhere. Lovely views over a multitude of mussel rafts. Short sail to Vilagarcia, Caraminas and other nice marinas and many anchorages.
The main interest of this marina is that it can claim to be the best place along the entire Portuguese/Spanish Atlantic coast for a haul-out. The friendly English-speaking staff will do everything to help you 7 days a week. There is a big travellift and berthing on the dry for several dozen boats, including large fishing boats from the commercial harbour next door. I arrived on Saturday, but Carlos the yard manager said he could lift me immidiately or any other day. 90€ per lift plus 50€ if you want to use their power hose in cleaning area (they will do this work, or they will let you do it). You can live and work on your boat. The marina has contacts for specialized work. The first 5 days on land are FREE but if you want to stay longer there is a cheap monthly rate (186€ for my 10m boat). Great rates for long-stay on the hard (some yachts have stayed here for years: winter on the hard, sailing in summer). There is a small chandlery next door that sells Hempel antifouling. So if an in-and-out antifouling is all you need, the final bill can be very reasonable: 2×90€ + 50€ for cleaning + 30€ for the steel cradle + paint. Unbeatable!
Vilagarcia is a great place, but when we were there (weekend of Sept 8 & 9), on Saturday, there was rather a rowdy nightclub right next to the marina, with a party that went on to 8 am. Also, the wifi is basically not useable.
Vilagarcia Marina was rather run down when we visited this year. The restaurant at the marinas was quite good though.
On the Illa de Arousa is a good haulout facility at Xufre. http://www.xufre.es/en/ Nito the owner is a yachtsman himself and knows how to satisfy cruisers’ needs. He keeps a loaner car on site for visiting yachtsmen to use. There is a bathroom/laundry facility in a container on shore. He does not have much dock space, just a pontoon. He does have a travel hoist and a crane for lifting masts.
His rates are reasonable (discounts for members of OCC, ICC, CA) and he does not object to people doing their own work on their yachts. Very nice man.
Posted on behalf of Daria Blackwell (who posted this on the Vigo page):
Salvora was our favourite island in the National Park. Nice anchorage, pretty little beach (at low tide), a castle/museum right on the harbour, a lovely statue on a rock in the harbour, wild horses running free on the island, a lighthouse, a deserted village and the sword in the stone. You have to see it understand. Lovely rock formations. Geologically young island. Good snorkelling but cold water.
We have kept our boat in Capo da Cruz for two seasons. I believe this is the best-protected harbour in the area. It is also reasonably priced (about 2200 euros for a 12-meter boat + taxes a year).
You have to be a member of the club, but this a pro forma thing (costs about 80 euro a year). Cabo da Cruz itself is not much, but there is a wonderful beach 15 minutes walk from the marina. And it is a good starting point for cruising the many interesting places from Ria Muros in the north and to Vigo (Ria Vigo)in South.
Karsten & Heidi on Kalliope, 39 feet dobleender
The complete name of the marina in Escarabote is:
Club Nautico Deportivo Barraña de Boiro
Porto Deportivo s/n – Escarabote
Apart Correos N° 115
15930 BOIRO
http://www.cndb.es – cndb@cndb.es
Tel. Oficina – 981.84.73.05 / 609.38.37.98
Tel. Marineria – 609.78.64.53
Note the tiny little marina of Puerto Narrana, at Escarabote, near Boiro (just opposite to Cabo de Cruz, near the large and beautiful Barrana Beach) – close to the small local fishing harbour. Not great facilities (showers and toilets in a sort of an Algeco building site roulette), no breakwater on NE side but a large floating pontoon. The harbour provides correct shelter except for strong north winds (you’d better double your springs in that case).
It’s even cheaper than Pobra de Caraminal but no such things like the facilities in Pobra. However, we spent about a week in the harbour, after spending some time in Cabo de Cruz and four or five days anchoring in front of the Playa Barrana. Take great care at the isolated danger – there are a lot of rocks on the east side of the buoy, at low tide we had a very unpleasant experience there. If going to Escarabote prefer passing between the buoy and the east fishing harbour breakwater.
Nathalie & Florin
Roz Avel, Kelly Peterson 44 Cutter
Vilagarcia Marina is a great base, but note that fuel is no longer available.