The Way of the Sea by sailboat along the Galician estuaries

Every year hundreds of thousands of pilgrims arrive in Compostela along the different routes that make up the Camino de Santiago. However, there are far fewer - in fact, very few - who do it by the so-called Way of the Sea, crossing the famous Rías Baixas of Galicia in a spectacular nautical crossing to the gates of the Ría Ulla and completing the last kilometres on foot. This is precisely what we propose.

The first day will be spent in Vigo, the largest city in Galicia and one of the most important fishing ports in Europe. It is there that we will meet our boat, a magnificent sailing boat with which we will sail through the following stages, and we will meet its captain, who will also act as our guide during our voyage. Depending on the time of arrival in Vigo, there will be time to get to know the city before retiring to rest.

Accommodation: on board our sailing boat, moored in the port of Vigo

Distance24 nautical miles
Difficulty: ●○○○○
Overnight stay: Baiona

The first day of sailing will focus on the famous Vigo estuary, an emblematic place in literature. In another era called the "sea of Vigo", this estuary already appears in cantigas from the 12th century and also in the very famous Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, where the Nautilus devised by Jules Verne and led by Captain Nemo would search for the treasure of the Spanish galleons sunk during the Battle of Rande in 1702. But it is not only literature: these waters are very rich in aquaculture and its margins make up one of the most beautiful estuaries in Galicia.

In addition, during the crossing we will approach the Cíes Islands, an authentic natural paradise with controlled access. We will disembark to get to know and enjoy them before continuing our journey to Baiona - another place that claims its own space in history and in our navigation. This historic port is where Columbus' ships returned with the first news of the western route to the Indies, and for centuries it has also received countless pilgrims from the British Isles and northern Europe who began their pilgrimage on foot here.

Baiona is the perfect place to experience Galician seafood gastronomy. Its historic centre is the perfect place to taste some "zamburiñas" or razor clams before returning to the ship to sleep.

Accommodation: on board our sailing boat, moored in the port of Baiona.

Distance34 nautical miles
Difficulty: ●○○○○
Overnight stay: Portonovo

Another day of our Camino del Mar by sailboat, which begins leaving behind the Vigo estuary and its surroundings to sail in front of the great promontory of O Morrazo and Cabo Home. Along this route we discover the Aldán estuary and then, after Cape Udra, the Pontevedra estuary. The geographical space is enclosed here between the O Morrazo peninsula that we have left behind, the O Salnés peninsula - one of the most important wine-growing regions in Galicia and where we will dock at the end of the day - and the Ons Islands, which form part of the Atlantic Islands National Park and which we can visit depending on the weather.

On this day we will go into the Pontevedra estuary, between bateas and the island of Tambo with its curious lighthouse and its history of pirates, and We will also visit Combarro, one of the most picturesque villages of the Rías Baixas, whose cobbled streets still offer a glimpse of the fishing tradition, and the famous hórreos (raised granaries) built just a hand's breadth from the sea. It is well worth wandering through its narrow streets in search of some unexpected secrets, before retiring for the night to neighbouring Portonovo, a magnificent place to taste the famous Albariño wines of this area.

Accommodation: on board our sailing boat, moored in the port of Portonovo. 

Distance: 32 nautical miles
Difficulty: ●○○○○
AccommodationVilagarcía de Arousa

After leaving the port of Portonovo, we will start our last day on board our fantastic sailing boat leaving the Pontevedra estuary to skirt the great Salnés, looking out over the mythical beach of A Lanzada and its hermitage, a place of Celtic fertility cults - still today only partially Christianised. We will stop at Pedras Negras, one of the most striking points on the peninsula of O Grove, and continue along the coast to finally enter the immense Ría de Arousa, the largest in Galicia and through which, according to tradition, the stone boat carrying the remains of Santiago de Compostela back from Haifa arrived.

We will sail this estuary between rafts, discovering the great aquaculture production of mussels, oysters and scallops. We will also visit Ribeira, one of the most important villages in the north of the estuary, and the islet of Guidoiro Areoso, before heading towards the innermost part of the estuary, to the port of Vilagarcía or Cabo de Cruz, depending on the dates. 

Accommodation: on board our sailing boat, moored in the port of Vilagarcía de Arousa or Cabo de Cruz. 

Distance16 nautical miles and 7 km on foot.
Difficulty: ●●○○○
AccommodationSantiago de Compostela

The last day of our Camino del Mar by sailboat will be to complete the maritime pilgrimage to the city of Santiago. To do so, we will leave the boat behind and go up the Ulla river in a motorboat passing by the island of Cortegada and crossing the 17 crosses that, placed in strategic places along the estuary, mark the Via Crucis of the Ulla in commemoration of the traslatio of the remains of the apostle. We will pass by the Torres de Oeste, in the municipality of Catoira, where every year an impressive historical recreation of the Viking landings that ravaged these lands in the 9th century to try to reach the rich and holy city of Compostela takes place.

We will leave the boat in Pontecesures, a village through which the famous Way of St. James runs from south to north from Portugal to Santiago. Here we will have two options that we will complete on our own, without a guide, simply following the abundant signposting of the Camino: to cover the full distance to Santiago (25 km) on foot, together with other pilgrims who arrive at this point following the yellow arrows of the Camino, or to go to O Milladoiro and walk only the last 7 kilometres.

Arrival in the city centre is scheduled for midday or early afternoon (depending on the distance you choose to walk), so you will have time to visit the historic centre, which began to be built in the 9th century, precisely following the discovery of the tomb of St. James. The cathedral and its annexes, the squares of Obradoiro, Quintana, Platerías and Acibecharía, the monastery of San Martín Pinario, the Royal Hospital and the narrow streets that make up the old city are fantastic places to marvel at.

Standard accommodation: Hospedería San Martín Pinario or similar
Charming accommodation: Hotel Costa Vella or similar
Premium accommodation: Hotel Monumento San Francisco or similar

After a good night's rest on dry land, our services come to an end, but, depending on your transport back home, you will still have the opportunity to explore some corners of the holy city, enjoying the impressive atmosphere that pilgrims and visitors give to the historic centre. If you wish, you can increase the duration of your trip by taking an extra night, to have more time or simply to plan other complementary activities. Be sure to contact us at.