Explore: La Coruna
General Info
This is one of the best harbours for shelter on the Costa da Morte. It is also a very interesting and useful port of call and a convenient place to leave the boat to explore inland. It does get very busy in high season, however, in particular when a cruise ship is in town.
La Coruna is situated in the Golfo Artabro, which also includes the smaller ports (further east) of Sada, Ares and Ferrol. There are numerous pretty anchorages in the area.
La Coruna is usually the initial destination for yachts crossing Biscay and the launch point for long cruises north or southbound.
The old city is very attractive with narrow streets and many cafes and restaurants. There are good communications from here, excellent provisioning, a very good chandlery and repair facilities.
Position 43° 23.1’N, 08° 22.33’W (entrance to Ria da Coruna)
Clearance
This is a Port of Entry.
See the Noonsite/Spain/Formalities page for details of clearance.
Last updated: September 2016.
Docking
Anchoring
Anchoring here is “monitored” by the Port control tower and cruisers have reported being “moved on” (to the marina) by the port police. However, as long as you anchor well outside the “traffic lane” used by the big ships, you should be left alone. The development of the new marina has greatly reduced available anchoring space for yachts.
Using the slipway or pontoons of the RCNC for dinghy landing depends solely on the people present at the time you land the dinghy. Some will refuse you access, others couldn’t care less.
Marinas
The marinas here (Marina Coruna, Nauta Coruna, Real Club Nautico and Marina Real (prev. Darsena de la Marina)) are the closest shelter from the entrance to Golfo de Artabro. All are located behind the 1km long breakwater that protects the harbour, easily spotted by its cubed tower structure at the inshore end.
Whilst the breakwater does offer some protection, with an NW wind some swell does enter the marinas and it’s advisable to be well prepared with springs/snubbers and fenders.
Marina Coruna opened in 2008 and is part of the same company as Marina Seca (in Oza). It is located just inside the breakwater and has the most space for transiting yachts, however, is not the cheapest option.
Last updated August 2017.
