Cies Islands Boat Tour
Description
Experience the stunning landscapes of Galician nature in northern Spain with this boat excursion to the Cíes Islands. Enjoy a remarkable day surrounded by breathtaking beauty with this ferry journey from Portonovo!
Details of the Boat Tour
When you are in Portonovo and wish to uncover one of Galician’s true gems, the Cíes Islands await your visit. At the designated hour, we will gather at Rúa Rafael Pico, where the ferry departs to these enchanting islands.
The entire day is dedicated to discovering this remarkable Galician treasure, famously dubbed by the Romans as the Islands of the Gods!
On these islands, you can embark on hiking trails or relax on expansive beaches alongside crystal-clear waters. A visit to Rodas Beach, renowned as one of the most stunning in the world, is highly recommended.
By 7 pm, after a day filled with unforgettable memories at the Cíes, it is essential to return to the port for your ferry ride back to Portonovo.
Considering a Return Visit?
If you wish to plan another visit, please indicate this during the booking process. Camping on the islands requires prior approval from the Galician Government.
Guided Tours in Off-Peak Season
During off-peak season (from October 1 to May 14), entry to the Cíes Islands includes a 1-hour guided tour with an official guide, as self-visits are not permitted during this timeframe. The guide will be with you for the boat journey from the initial port. Upon arrival at the Cíes dock, they will guide you through the main trails, sharing intriguing stories and details about the history, fauna, and flora of this heavenly Galician archipelago.
However, this tour is not available during the peak ten days of Holy Week, specifically from the Friday before Semana Santa to Easter Sunday.
Authorization from the Xunta de Galicia
For those visiting in high season (between May 15 and September 30, and during Easter week), it is necessary to present your own authorization from the Xunta de Galicia to enter the Cíes Islands. We will send this to you via email as promptly as possible. For the remainder of the year, this step is not needed as the guide will take care of it on the tour date.
Authorization for Campers
If you decide to camp on the Cíes Islands, you must ensure that the campsite secures your authorization, or else it will be canceled in case of any changes. If the campsite does not process the cancellation, the ferry operator will not issue a refund for your tickets.
This means if you need to cancel your Cíes Islands trip, you must first contact the campsite. Once they confirm the cancellation of your authorization, you can then reach out to the ferry operator (within the set refund period) to proceed with canceling your tickets.
Additionally, note that once an authorization is tied to a specific ferry service, it cannot be transferred to a different company. Hence, if you cancel your booking with a ferry operator, you will need to cancel your authorization and apply for a new one with a different service.
What's included
- Round–trip ferry between Portonovo and the Cies Islands
- Processing of the Cíes Islands access permit from the Xunta de Galicia
- Guided tour (only from October 1–May 14, except during Easter Week)
Cancellation policy
Cancellazione gratuita fino a 336 ore prima (local time)
Accessibility
Accessible only for folding chairs. This must be indicated in the reservation.
Important information
Please arrive at 11:30 am at Rúa Rafael Pico, in Portonovo, at number 5. There you'll be shown where to board the ferry. We recommend that you arrive at least 30 minutes in advance. To return to Portonovo, you must be at the port to take the ferry that leaves at 7 pm.
Necessary Documentation
The Cíes islands are a protected archipelago, with a daily visitor limit, and to be able to visit, you should obtain authorization from the Xunta de Galicia which the local provider will process.
In high season (from May 15 to September 30 and at Easter), once the authorization has been processed, you'll receive it by e-mail. You must bring it with you, as well as this voucher. If you prefer, you can request it at the ticket office on the day of your visit, as long as you arrive at least 25 minutes in advance. The rest of the year, we will not send it to you, as it'll be the guide himself who will bring it on the day of the tour.
If you still haven't received the authorization of the Xunta in your email 24 hours before the date of your visit, you can access the website of the Xunta and download the authorizations by following these steps:
- Go to the following link: https://autorizacionillasatlanticas.xunta.gal/illasr/cambiarIdioma?lang=en
- Once on the page, select option #3 "Search by date and visitor's document"
- After filling in your details, you'll be able to download the authorization directly
If, for any reason, any of the participants cannot attend the activity, please give at least 15 days' notice and indicate the name and surname of the person who will be absent so that the Xunta de Galicia can remove him/her from the list.
Authorization for Campers
If you decide to stay at a campsite on the Cíes Islands, the campsite itself must process the authorization, or cancel it in case you want to cancel. If the authorization is not canceled by the campsite, the shipping company cannot cancel your boat tickets.
Meaning, if you want to cancel your trip to the Cíes Islands, you must contact the campsite first. Then, once the campsite confirms that it has processed the cancellation of your authorization, you must contact the shipping company (within the stipulated refund period) so that they can cancel your boat tickets.
Also, once an authorization is associated with a shipping company, it cannot be linked to another shipping company. Therefore, if you cancel your reservation with this company, you'll have to cancel your authorization and then process a new authorization.
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