Guided visit to Tambo island from Combarro

Tambo is the island in the Pontevedra estuary, opposite Combarro, and one of the Rías Baixas islands with the most history: it belonged to Benedictine monks, pirates attacked it, it served as a prison and a lazaretto, the army occupied it and today it is managed by the Poio council (Concello). It can only be visited in small groups with a guide, landing at the jetty, on a route of about 2 km. The visit lasts between two and a half and three hours.

What you see

Two paths lead from the landing stage. On the right is the small beach of Area da Illa, with a picnic area that belonged to the army and where pilgrimage festivals were held. On the left, to the south, the small peninsula of O Tenlo, with the beach of A Dreidá and the old Tenlo lighthouse; according to Mar de Ons, in the late 19th century Protestants held baptisms there at night.

The oldest remains are Iron Age hillforts, in the north of the island. Of the Benedictine monastery of Santa María de Gracia, which tradition attributes to Saint Fructuosus, there remain the church dedicated to Saint Michael, now a small chapel, and a fountain: the monastery was destroyed in 1589 by an attack by the pirate Francis Drake. Inland are the buildings of the lazaretto, from the mid-19th century, which worked until 1879 and then moved to San Simón island, in the Vigo estuary. Of the military camp, active from the mid-20th century until 2002, the officers' houses and the remains of an underground Navy powder store survive on the north coast.

How to book

You need two things. First, the boat ticket from Combarro harbour, sold by Naviera Mar de Ons on its website, with its times and fares. Then, with the ticket, the access authorisation, requested on the Turismo de Poio website; associations have their own procedure. Departures are in summer and places are limited to protect the island, so book ahead. The boat price does not appear in the listings: check it when buying.

Rules and tips

You may only follow the marked paths and may not enter the buildings, to avoid accidents. There are no bins or containers on the island: what you bring goes back with you to the harbour. Bring water and comfortable shoes for the 2 km. The council publishes the rules and obligations of the visit as a PDF.

With children who can walk 2 km without trouble, the mix of boat, beaches and ruins works well. Before or after, stroll through the Combarro old town, where the boat leaves from, and if you like seeing the estuary from the water, the mussel trip also passes by Tambo.