Boat trip on the Pontevedra estuary with mussels

An hour and a half by boat on the Pontevedra estuary with Naviera Mar de Ons, with views across the whole estuary and the island of Ons in the distance, and a tasting of freshly cooked mussels on board. It is one of the most typical sea trips in the Rías Baixas and a comfortable way to see from the water what you later visit on land.

The route

The boat sails close to Aguete beach, the Marín Naval Military School, Tambo island, Combarro and Raxó. From the sea you can clearly see the row of hórreos at Combarro on the estuary shore, one of its most photographed scenes.

The boat also draws near the bateas, the floating wooden platforms where mussels are farmed, so common in the Galician rías and so rare on other coasts. One of the company's guides explains how mussels are farmed on them, and freshly prepared mussels are served on board with local wine or water.

Departures, times and booking

In summer it sails every day from the ports of Sanxenxo, Portonovo and Bueu. Sanxenxo is the closest to Combarro, along the PO-308 coast road. The company does not publish fixed times or prices on its listing: they are checked when booking, on its website, depending on the day and the departure port. It is best to book ahead in July and August and to reach the port with time to spare for parking.

If you have already travelled with Mar de Ons this year, or are about to, the company offers a discount on a second purchase using the locator of the first booking: useful if you combine the trip with the guided visit to Tambo island, which the same company runs from Combarro.

Who it is for

It works well for families: there is no walking, you see a lot in a short time and the pass beside the bateas keeps children entertained. Bring something warm even in summer, because the wind blows on deck, and sunglasses. If you get seasick easily, bear that in mind before booking.

Afterwards, in Pontevedra, the Pontevedra Museum is free and open until 21:00 Tuesday to Saturday, and for dinner, Trasmallo serves seafaring cooking.