National Maritime Terrestrial Park of the Atlantic Islands in Galicia

Atlantic Islands National Park

If we talk about the Cíes Islands, they will surely sound familiar to you, and the Cíes Islands have been famous since Rodas Beach appeared as the best in the world in The Guardian newspaper. However, not everyone knows that this island is part, along with three others, of a maritime-terrestrial nature park, the only one in Galicia and the second in Spain.

El National Maritime-Terrestrial Park of the Atlantic Islands It includes the islands of Cíes, Ons, Cortegada and Sálvora, in the area of ​​the Atlantic coast of the Galician Rías Baixas. The distance between them is not very great, especially if we visit them by sea, although there is not as much tourism in all of them as in the well-known Cíes.

Surroundings of the Atlantic Islands

Cies Islands

The environment of the Natural Park is protected, and it not only refers to the islands, but also to the surrounding marine environment, which comprises up to 86% of what the natural park is. This is how we understand the great importance of protecting the seabed, flora and fauna, both terrestrial and marine. They have many protected ecosystems that they should not be altered by man, hence all the activities around them are kept under control, from diving to anchoring boats, for which permits must be requested. And the same happens on the islands, in which there is a limit of people to camp, and in some of them you can not even spend the night. All this protects natural spaces, which have great ecological value, and that uncontrolled tourism could destroy.

To protect the islands there are activities that are not allowed, and it is better to know them before you go. From camping in areas that are not authorized for it to walking through restricted areas, hunting or damaging animals or vegetation, planting fire or anchoring with the boat without permission.

Cies Islands

Rhodes Beach

The visit to this set of islands should start with the most touristy, the Cíes Islands. These islands are visited during certain months, when the summer season begins. You can go to them by boat, although for this you have to ask for anchoring permission. The vast majority of people go to the island on the ferries that leave from Cangas and Vigo. In the summer months, the place must be reserved in advance, since they usually end and there are a limited number of visits per day. On the other hand, they have a campsite where you can spend the night, since to see the Cíes well it takes more than a day. The Figueiras beach, the nudist beach, other small more hidden coves, the Rodas beach, so well known or the visit to the lighthouse is something essential.

Ons Island

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Ons Lighthouse

Ons Island also has regular boats in season to reach it. They leave from Bueu, Cangas, Vigo, Baiona or Portonovo. On this island it is possible to stay in a small hotel, and they also have a new campsite with great spaces to spend a few days. In this environment there are five great beaches, Melide's who is a nudist, as Dornas, Area dos Cans, Canexol and Pereiró. In addition, it is possible to do activities, such as kayaking, and hiking trails, since there are specifically four and well marked, for fans of this sport who want to see the island from another perspective. The highest area is right next to the lighthouse, to have the best views.

Cortegada Island

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Cortegada Island

This island is much smaller than the previous ones, but also much quieter. In it some organized group routes, and there are certain hours to make these visits, since the tide must be high. To go you have to organize yourself, although you can go on a boat by yourself, let them leave us and agree to return. It is an island that breathes mystery, especially for its great tranquility. There are two hiking trails in it to see its surroundings, the small quiet beaches that there are and also the old village that is no longer inhabited, the laurel forest and the old hermitage of the Virgen de los Milagros.

Sálvora Island

Salvora

The Island of Sálvora is another of those that make up this group. An island in which there is a abandoned village since the 70s, as in Cortegada, and in which there are no bars or restaurants. Tourism is not that massive, but it also has a lot to offer. Upon arrival it is possible to do two routes. One towards the abandoned village of Sálvora, with the houses in ruins, the old streets, to imagine the lifestyle of these people of the sea. On the other hand, we can head towards the lighthouse, where we will have great views. Spending the day there means seeing the old salting factory and also spending the day on the beaches. The boats that take to the island leave from Cambados, O Grove, Pobra do Caramiñal and Ribeira.


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