The Spanish Ria's

[mocruising]

When we left Blighty in 2002 we missed out the Ria's although people advised us to visit, time was an issue and we wanted to get south to warmer climes. Next spring we are heading out of the Med. for good, for pastures north and wondered if they are still popular, and worth a visit and if so what recommendations .

 

[Ariadne]

Like us, most people who went through them quickly regret doing so wish they had spent a longer time doing them.

 

[Wansworth]

As your passing you mighr as well spend a while going in and out as you work your way north.There have been many changes mainly marinas and the separation of the commercial fishing from the leisure.There has also been considerable land reclamation and in many ways littlenbeaches within harbours ,useful for drying out are now gone and in its pkace a hoist.from a distance the small towns look nice but many suffer from illegal building and are ugly,still its somewhere else if you have not been there and there are st8ll free anchourages....but the water is freezing,best of luckk

 

[Mistroma]

We spent 1.5 seasons there and you should try to spend a fair bit of time in the Rias. Plenty of reasonably quiet, sheltered, free anchorages and some reasonably cheap marinas as well. Prices very hugely with 1-2 places charging 50-60 euro for our boat and others only 14 euro. Part of the reason seems to be variation in high season times. The club at Baiona seem to think the high season lasts most of the year and at least one marina only had a 6 week high season.

Lack of free WiFi was rarely a problem and a few places with large supermarkets very close to an anchorage (good to know as you can trolley beer, wine & water to the dinghy). I can pm you with more detailed information if you like (marina prices, good anchorages etc.). It would be useful to know how much time you can afford to spend.

Starter for 10:
Vigo..........Moana is a good anchorage plus cheap marina with good Wifi and cheap ferry to Vigo
Pontedra...Combarro is worth a few days. Old village is interesting (but very tourist oriented now) and take bus to Pontevedra for a good day out.
Arousa......Pobra has good anchorage with supermarkets on beach
Arousa......Rianxo has a week long festival but worth visiting even if you miss it (2 anchorages, less scenic one is close to a hidden, underground supermarket)
Muros.......Reasonably priced marina and good anchorage at Esteiro
Camarinas.Cheap marina and good anchorage just off the marina if you want to save cash

These are only a few places we visited but should give you an idea of what's available. You should get pictures of most places from my website (2012 & 2103 cruises). Fairly boring stuff I'm afraid, mainly intended to let friends & relatives know where we were.

 

[ferroboat]

We have fallen in love with the Ria's of Galicea, there is everything you could possibly want here. Take your time and explore.
http://moonshineofmersea.wordpress.com/

 

[jimbaerselman]

Still a great cruising ground; see [url]http://www.jimbsail.info/tidal-europe/galicia[/URL] for detail.