Where to wait for a Biscay weather window in N Spain?

K

keelbolt

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Following on from the 'Diesel in La Corunna' thread, wondered where people would naturally make for to await a weather window for Biscay when going north? Bayona is nice, but a tad too far south for me. And I just crossed La Corunna off my list of possibles.......
 
Sada, a few miles east of La Coruna, is nice and sheltered with plenty of facilities incl chandlers and boatyard. Its also a nice town to spend a few days, can properly recommend it. You can also anchor for free inside the breakwater if you dont want to go onto the marina pontoons.

After La C its probably the best place in terms of shelter an dfacilities for a hundred miles or so, until you get to Gigon (which is also very nice).

Nick
 
At the risk of being controversial, I really like La Coruna and would never pass it by. Brilliant old Spanish town, cheap and fascinating. Ask in the Yacht Club for any advice, very helpful. try a night in the Latin Quarter, bars dont get started till midnight! The old Plaza in the town center is a delight and a visit to the lighthouse (Hercules) is hugely more impressive than it sounds. Great place, great memories!!
 
Just had a look on Google Earth at Sada - can see why you like it. Its on the list - so far a list of 'one'.

KB
 
Try Gijon, very good marina, easy fuel berth, large town with good transport conections if required. We only had 3 days there last year but was good for passage to La Rochelle when the forecast improved.
 
Cedeira and Ribadeo are (were) both nice,from where you just wait for the right forecast and pull up the hook and off you go.
It would be a shame to miss Galicia and Cabo Estaca De Bares as you are there !
Borrow someones pilot book in Corunna if you can.
Going along to Gihon may theoretically shorten 'the crossing' and works well only if you want to visit South Brittany and itsd offshore islands eg Belle Isle,Glenan etc. You will have a lot less traffic but some heading into the french estuaries..and the odd Bilbao and Santander ferry..
 
Camarinas. One of my favourite ports of call. Only thing it hasn't got is diesel on the quay. It's also one of the most westerly harbours, which may prove useful.

Having tried to get off this coast a couple of times and had a rather rough time of it. I suggest you try and time your departure just as the night lee is starting and go hell for leather offshore. To wait for the morning is to invite a hard sail as the sea breeeze component build up.
 
Thats interesting, last time I was there it had fuel at the end of the yacht club pontoon and a long hose.

Has the fuel service shut now? it used to be a much better option for fuel than Coruna and a lovely spot to stop.
 
Are we all talking about fuel at Camarinas? I was questioning Michaels post ref no fuel at Camarinas.

At Camarinas last time I was there, there was just the yacht club building and a fuel tank next to the walkway from the pontoon.
 
I was agreeing with you that there is, was last year, fuel available on the pontoon. Maybe the office has been added since you were last there. In 98 I don,t think there was an office as I recall, and a tanker came on request with fuel.
 
You can trudle further east along the north coats whilst waiting - there are lots of attractive places. Bilbao is a good starting point but I wouldnt go further east than that.
 
My web site describes the possible departure ports from N Spain. And see my comment on the 'diesel' thread about A Coruna - a delightful town for a short stay (or a long one!). Don't dismiss it just because the fuelling facilities are out of action. It has one of the best sets of yacht support facilities in N Spain.
 
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