Boat Trip on the Ría de Ribadeo, Under the Puente de los Santos

The Ría de Ribadeo, or Eo estuary, is the border between Galicia and Asturias: Ribadeo on one bank, Figueras and Castropol on the other. A half-hour boat trip goes through its interior, passes under the Puente de los Santos and explains what each pier was used for. It costs €7 and is fine for any age, also for those who don't trust the open sea: inside the ría the water is usually calm.

What you see from the boat

The Albatros V leaves from Ribadeo marina and passes O Cargadoiro, the iron pier from which the ore that came down by train from A Pontenova was loaded, and the fort of San Damián, which defended the entrance to the ría. It crosses under the Puente de los Santos, which links the two regions, and approaches the Asturian shore: the Trenor palace and the Gondán shipyard, in Figueras, and the Casona Grande, in Castropol. Along the way the skipper explains the tables where oysters are farmed in the ría.

Terralmar runs a trip of the same length and price on its 24-seat boat, which recalls the passenger launches that linked the villages of the ría before the bridge.

Times, boarding and booking

The Albatros V leaves in the morning between 11:00 and 13:30 and in the afternoon between 16:00 and 19:00; within that window it leaves when full, with a maximum wait of about 30 minutes. You can board at Ribadeo, Figueras or Castropol. Book on its website; if your date doesn't appear, call 696 504 239: they say they are available all year if the weather permits. Terralmar publishes departures at 11:00 and 15:30, with more depending on the day, and sells tickets on its website.

A protected area

The ría is a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, a special protection area for birds since 1989 and a natural space protected by the Xunta since 1995. Turismo de Ribadeo describes it as a key habitat for migratory waterbirds of the Atlantic. The ría is also part of the Río Eo, Oscos y Terras de Burón Biosphere Reserve.

It is a good plan for the time when the tide is high and As Catedrais is under water. Afterwards, walk up to the old town and the Torre dos Moreno, or follow the shore to the Illa Pancha lighthouse.