Ria de Arousa - Docking

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Anchoring

Good shelter can be found in most winds in Ria de Arousa. The initial shelter can be found from the Atlantic swell and W winds behind Isla de Salvora. Whilst there is an abundance of anchorages, many are only suitable for day stops. Also take care as many beaches are shallow shelving so when the tide goes out it goes out quickly! You may have to anchor some distancd offshore. Good anchorage near Punta Pineiro or Insula, 4 M west of Villagarcia and on the north shore west of Pobra de Caraminal. If anchoring just south of Pobra de Caraminal marina opposite the beach – beware of what appears to be an unmarked concrete column 100-200m SE of the marina entrance, barely sticking out of the water on springs. Anchoring mostly in sand and weed. Take care of unmarked rocks – this Ria has many!

Marinas

There are 8 marinas in the Ria: At Vilagarcia; Pobra de Caraminal; Cabo Cruz (new); Santa Uxia de Ribeira; Rianxo; Vilanova and Pedras Negras (adjoining San Vicente de Mar) and Escarabote. It is advisable to call by VHF on approach so that you can be directed to a berth on arrival.

Vilagarcia is the principal harbour/town and is situated in the NE corner of the Ria 12nm from the entrance. Pobra de Caraminal is one of the nicest small towns and offers probably the best shelter in the Ria. The marina is good with standard facilities, however, it is very popular in the summer and may well be full. A good nearby alternative is a new marina at Cabo Cruz on the opposite side of the bay to Pobra, although this is small.

The most straightforward harbours for a night-time entry are Santa Uxia de Riviera, Pobra does Caraminal and Vilagarcia. The main hazard at night here are unlit Viveros (mussel farms). This Ria has 50% of all mussel farms in Galicia.

Port Control for all harbours monitors VHF Ch. 09 or 16.

Last updated:  July 2022

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Ria de Arousa was last updated 6 years ago.

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  1. July 26, 2022 at 12:36 PM
    johnseddon says:

    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!

  2. September 12, 2018 at 8:32 AM
    Data Entry says:

    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.

  3. November 29, 2017 at 5:50 PM
    Data Entry says:

    Vilagarcia Marina was rather run down when we visited this year. The restaurant at the marinas was quite good though.

  4. November 29, 2017 at 5:48 PM
    Data Entry says:

    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.

  5. September 8, 2017 at 8:08 AM
    Data Entry says:

    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.

  6. February 7, 2016 at 12:16 PM
    Data Entry says:

    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

  7. March 26, 2014 at 2:33 PM
    Data Entry says:

    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[email protected]
    Tel. Oficina – 981.84.73.05 / 609.38.37.98
    Tel. Marineria – 609.78.64.53

  8. March 21, 2014 at 11:45 AM
    Data Entry says:

    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

  9. July 20, 2013 at 12:37 PM
    Data Entry says:

    Vilagarcia Marina is a great base, but note that fuel is no longer available.

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