Cíes Kayak (Ycies Club)

The Ycies club runs, together with the Camping Islas Cíes, an educational sea-kayak route around the Cíes Islands supervised by technicians from the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park. The route has won two sustainable tourism awards and the company is signed up to the park's European Charter for Sustainable Tourism. The team of instructors, five people according to its website, hold various qualifications and have plenty of experience on the water, although the website does not say which.

What the route is like

Everything starts at the campsite reception, on the island of Monteagudo, with a presentation, a short lesson in navigation and safety, and the park's rules of conduct. Then you board CE-marked approved double kayaks; if the group has an odd number there are some singles. A park guide accompanies you in a RIB and stops at fixed points to rest, explain and take photos: the old convent of Santo Estevo, the Conchas beach, the Carracido underwater-viewer point, the lighthouses or the cormorants of Viños. Between stops the guide tells the history of the islands, their flora and fauna. From the presentation to the return is about two hours.

Season, times and price

The route runs from 1 June to 15 September, with two departures a day: 12:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 18:00. You must be at the campsite reception five minutes beforehand. They recommend the morning one, because the sea is usually calmer. In June it costs €25 per person on the island and €20 if booked on the website; in July, August and September, €35 on the island and €30 on the website.

Age, requirements and equipment

The minimum age is 12 and it is compulsory. Ages 12 and 13 must always go with an adult; ages 14 to 17 can go alone with a signed authorisation. Everyone must be able to swim and wear a life jacket throughout the route, and each pair helps carry its kayak to wherever the guide indicates.

The price includes the park guide, the kayak, paddles, an approved life jacket, an underwater viewer for the group, a mini monocular, a printed route guide translated into several languages, free photos and liability insurance for the activity and the support boat. You bring sun protection, footwear for walking to the shore and, if you like, sunglasses and a cap; your camera or phone is your own responsibility.

How to get there and book

To enter the Cíes you need an authorisation from the Xunta de Galicia. If you sleep at the campsite, the campsite arranges it; if you go for the day, you must request it beforehand on the Xunta portal and then buy the boat ticket, choosing a time that gets you to the island in time for the activity.

You book with a form on the website: you choose the date, session and number of adults and children, confirm that everyone is over 12 and can swim and that you have an authorisation or campsite booking, and the team contacts you to confirm. The website is in Spanish, Galician and English, and they also answer at [email protected]. It does not say what happens if the sea forces a departure to be cancelled: ask when you confirm.