A Day by Sailboat to the Cíes Islands from Vigo or Baiona

The ferry drops you at the Rodas pier and picks you up a few hours later. By sailboat the day is different: you sail the ría, anchor off a beach, swim from the boat and go ashore when the group wants. There are two ways to do it with companies that the National Park includes on its list for visits to the Cíes: a place on a shared trip from Vigo, or a whole boat for your group from Baiona.

From Vigo, a place on a shared sailboat

Sailway leaves from the Real Club Náutico de Vigo at 11:00 and returns at 19:00. It is about two hours' sailing to San Martiño beach, on the southern island, where the boat anchors. There is snorkelling and paddle surfing, or a good hour on board for lunch and sunbathing. In the afternoon the boat crosses to Rodas, and those who want go ashore to walk a while along the island's paths.

It costs €135 per place from age 12 and €75 for younger children. The price includes the skipper, the entry permit for the Cíes, a simple picnic (sandwich, crisps, fruit and water), snorkel and paddle surf equipment, insurance and a toilet on board; you can bring your own food. It leaves with a minimum of four people and is paid in full when booking.

Note how you get ashore: in a small inflatable, for two or three people, lowered from the stern. The company warns that it calls for some agility.

From Baiona, the boat for your group

Julio Verne Náutica keeps its fleet at the Monte Real Club de Yates de Baiona and rents the whole boat with a skipper: a sailboat for nine people or a catamaran for eleven. It is about seven miles across the mouth of the ría. The route passes San Martiño and the freu da Porta, the strait between islands, continues past Rodas and ends at the small port of the northern island. From there, the classic stop is a climb of about 45 minutes to the Alto do Príncipe; you can also do the faro da Porta route or stay to swim.

It includes the boat, fuel, the skipper (accredited as a National Park guide) and the dinghy to land at the jetty. Food is not included. In winter it leaves from 10:00 to 14:00 and in summer also from 16:00 to 20:00. If the weather forces a cancellation, the trip is moved to another day at no cost. The price depends on the boat and the season and is published on its website.

The park's rules for boats

A private boat can visit the Cíes any day of the year but, as the National Park says, "navigation and anchoring permits issued by the National Park are required". The park sets a limit of 75 to 125 anchorages a day in the archipelago, spread over three zones: San Martiño, Nosa Señora and Rodas. With a company you arrange nothing yourself: with Sailway the entry permit is in the price. Remember that on land the same rules apply as for those arriving by ferry: no dogs, no fires, no rubbish on the island.