However, in high season, such as the Easter and the summer monthsit is necessary to be in possession of a authorization of the Xunta de Galicia to do so. It is very simple, so you just have to be forward-thinking to request it and schedule the visit. This is what you need to know about How to visit the Cíes Islands.
Where are the Cíes?
The Cies Island They are located off the Galician coast of the province of Pontevedra and are part of the Maritime-Terrestrial National Park of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia, together with the archipelagos of Sálvora, Ons and Cortegada, as well as the maritime space around it. To find out as much as possible about them, you can go to Atlantic Islands Visitor Centre in Vigolocated in a historic building in the old town.
He Cies Archipelago It is formed by the Monteagudo, Faro and San Martino islandsas well as the islets of Carabelos, Ruzo, Penela dos Viños and Agoeiro. Please note that during the summer there are Free guided tours dailyaccompanied by park guides, through the Cíes and Ons, while several days a month are organised for Sálvora and Cortegada. On the Cíes Islands you can follow marked routes on your own, enjoy their paradisiacal beaches, contemplate the impressive views from their viewing points and observe the exceptional fauna and flora of the surroundings.
Authorization to visit the Cíes Islands
The Authorization to visit the Cíes Islands It is only required during the high season, including Easter, so if you travel to Galicia the rest of the year to sail to this paradise you will not need to complete this procedure. However, in summer, it is essential, and you need to do it as soon as possible to avoid problems with places. Keep in mind that we are talking about a protected areaso the daily capacity It is limited to 1,800 daily visitors and 600 campers, in order to protect it and keep it in good condition.
You must process the application to the Xunta de Galiciavia on-linewith a maximum of 90 days in advance of the visit. You will only have to choose the date on the calendar, the number of places to book and enter your details and those of the other visitors who will accompany you. If your plans change, don’t worry, It is possible to cancel it up to 15 days before from the date you had planned to visit them.
Buy a ticket from the shipping company
Once you have processed the request to visit the Cíes On the Xunta website, you will have two hours to buy the ticket on one of the authorised shipping companies that provide passenger transport services to the islands. Remember that in the low season, authorisation is not required and you only need to buy the boat ticket directly from the shipping company.
But in summer, when there are several daily departures, you first ask for authorization from the Xunta and then buy the ticket from one of the following shipping companies: Mar de Ons, RG Naviera or Cruceros Rías Baixas. Their ships depart from the ports of Vigo, Cangas, Bueu and Baionaand on certain dates they also leave from Portonovo and Sanxenxo. Please note that if you do not purchase the boat tickets within two hours of having requested permission to visit the islands from the Xunta, the authorisation will be cancelled.
The ticket prices In high season, they cost around €20 for adults and €5 for children. In low season, adult tickets are around €15 and children under 12 travel for free. They can be purchased on the website of each shipping company or at the ports of embarkation.
Visit the Cíes Islands on a private boat
In case you want Visit the Cíes Islands going on a private boat or on a charter boat, you must first obtain a navigation permit to sail the waters of the National Park and then request a anchoring permit. Also remember that authorizations are also required for Diving off the coast of the Cíes and to camp on the islands of the park, both in the Camping in the Cíes Islands as in the Ons Campsite. You can carry out all these procedures on-line through the website of Maritime-Terrestrial National Park of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia.
Finally, don’t forget that Pets are not allowed on the Cíes Islands, so you will not be able to go with your dog. Only dogs are allowed. guide dogs. Filming or taking photographs for commercial purposes is also not permitted without prior authorization.
