Cíes Islands

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Tips for your travel to the Cíes islands

Where the Cíes are

Playa de Rodas

The Cies islands archipelago is situated in the Ria of Vigo mouth, in Pontevedra province, Spain. The Cies consist of three islands, Monteagudo or North island, the Faro island or Middle one and San Martiño or the South island. These two last are linked by the Rodas beach and a narrow track over the Western rocks. Between the track and the beach there is a salad lagoon called "Lagoa dos Nenos" (the children lagoon). In the eigthies the islands were declarated Nature Reserve and in the 2002 it came the declaration of National Land-Marine Park of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia together with other Galician islands, in the Rias Baixas, like Ons, Sálvora, Noro, Vionta, Cortegada and Malveiras.

The Eastern slope coast has got trees down to the white sand, that is soft and spongy. The Western slope has got rough and sharp cliffs.

How to go to the Cies

No more than 2.200 personas per day can go to the island. You should go early in order to spend there the day and especially, because when you buy your ticket you have to choose what time you will go back from the island. If you go camping take into account you will have to make your reservation at the camping office, in the Nautic Station, before going to the island..

Ticket Fare

There are departures from Vigo, Baiona and Cangas do Morrazo.

The return ticket from Vigo costs 17,50€

If you are going to the island by yacht or sailing boat, there is a delimited area to anchor. But you'll have to ask for permission before going. You can make it througth this web, you can phone or mail to ask for more information, too. If you go on your own , it's interesting to go to the San Martiño island. There are ruins of and old salting factory. Camping is not allowed here. So, don't forget to ask for permission if you want to sail, to anchor or to go skin-diving in the Cies Islands. This phones can be useful (Tlfno: 986.85.85.93, E-mail: islas.atlanticas@oapn.mma.es).

The shipping company "Mar de Ons" (Teléfono: 986 225272) goes to the Cíes on Eastern and the summer. You can part from Vigo, Baiona and Cangas de Morrazo. It cost me 17,50 euros to go from Vigo.

Advice:

You'd better go to the camping and come back with a cart to carry your luggage if you go to camp, because the way from the pier to the place where you will mount yout tent can be longer to take heavy things.

Where to stay and eat

There is a camping with 800 places and a 15 days time limit (Telephones: 986 687050 y 986 438358). In any way you are allowed camping out of the camping area. This place has got a restaurant service, supermarket and public phone. There are other two restaurants, one besides the pier, and other some metres passing the camping (Bar Serafín). Here you can eat copious and delicious meals under the trees's branches in typical stone tables. The little restaurant's owner is the only native islander who still lives there all the year.

very important!

In the island there are two drinkable fountain, one is near Serafin Bar and other is at the Muelle de Carracido

What to see and some routes

You should visit the Interpretation Center of the Cíes Islands. You will find it at the formerly Monasterio de San Esteban (Tel. +34 986805469). Videos and scale models are exhibited there; You will also be informed about the most interesting aspects of this National Park. Lovers of birds will find a must to go to the ornithology observatory besides the Faro de Cíes. Buying the passage you will receive from the navy company a brochure with the recommended routes, that are the following

a.- Route of Monte Faro

This is my favourite route, it goes from the Playa de Rodas, crossing the little Lagoa Dos nenos and the camping towards the dense forest. When the forest finish you still have to walk half the way till you reach the Faro das Cíes. From there you'll have a beautiful view of San Martiño and Monteagudo islands. Before reaching the top of the Faro you will find the Piedra de la campana.

You can also turn towards the ornithology observatory in this way.

If you feel like a walk to the Faro da Porta, I recommend you to do it when you come back from the Faro das Cíes. There is a steep slope way and at the end it is the litlle Faro da Porta. From here you can go on to the Punta de Carracido and the Praia de Nuestra Señora

b.- Route of Faro da Porta

As I have said, there are lovely views from this place. This route is easier, you can walk by the coasline by the sea. From the Faro you will see the Sur island and the Faro de Cíes.

c.- Route of Alto del Príncipe

From the beach of Rodas we climb under the forest shadow towards the viewpoint of Alto do Príncipe. Really a nice view of the Ría de Vigo.

d.- Route of Monteagudo

This is a longer but a not so steep walk. We cover the Illa Norte till the Monteagudo's cliffs. From the viewpoint you can see the Isla de Ons and the Costa da Vela's cliffs.

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Remember that you are in a National Park!

It is forbiden to lay a fire

Don't throw rubbish. Go always with a bag to put your trash

It is forbidden to travel with pets

If you smoke remember to put out yout butt, and put it in a rubbish bag

Remember that it is not allowed to take shells, flowers nor fruits of the island flora in order to protect the native ecosystem.

Flora and fauna

Most of the island trees are eucalyptus and reforestation pines. There are also some ash trees and chestnuts. In the dunes live gramineas like the "feo de playa". There are a lot of white and yellow daisies,cardoons and "hierba de enamorar". I even saw a palm tree in a private garden.

In Cíes live small lizards, rats and some rabbits. The more frecuently seen birds are seagulls and marine ravens. There are a great variety of marine fauna, too: octopus, congers,crabs...but remember that it is forbidden the submarine fishing.

El viejo cementerio

Curiosities

Besides the stone pier of the isla Norte there is a cement monolith that was built in homenage to Franco.

In the Isla del Medio there are still some ruins of the old cementery. Nowdays you will see only a place full of weeds.

In the island live during the summer time some people of the Forest Guards. Personal of the Red Cross come and return to Vigo every day.

In the Playa de Rodas, next to the way you can see some stones that are ruins of and old oven where people cooked the bread.

In the "Isla del Norte" it is the nudist beach called "the german beach". You will find near this beach a work camp of volunteers that help to keep the island beautiful.

Timetable: Shipping Line "Mar de Ons" to Cí­es Islands - Year 2013

From Vigo:

Easter, May, June, September and October

Vigo to Cíes: 10:15, *10:45, 12:15, *15:30, 16:15, 18:15

Cíes to Vigo: 13:00, 17:00, *18:15, 19:15, *19:45

July and August:

Vigo to Cíes: 09:15, 10:15, 10:45, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 15:30, 16:15, 17:00, 18:15, 19:00

Cíes to Vigo: 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:15, 20:00

(*) only weekends and holiday, and daily in June

From Cangas:

Easter, May, June, September and October

Cangas to Cíes: 09:45, *10:20, 11:45, *12:00, *15:00, 15:45, 17:45

Cíes to Cangas: 13:00, 17:00, *18:15, 19:15, *19:45

July and August:

Cangas to Cíes: 09:45, 10:20, 11:45, 12:00, 15:00, 15:45, 17:45

Cies to Cangas: 13:00, 17:00, 18:15, 19:15, 19:45

(*) only weekends and holiday, and daily in June

From Baiona:

Easter and September (from 1 to 8):

Baiona to Cíes: 11:00, 13:00 ,16:15, 18:00

Cies to Baiona: 13:45, 17:00, 19:00

July and August:

Baiona to Cíes: 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 16:15, 18:00, 19:30

Cíes to Baiona: 12:45, 17:00, 19:00, 20:15

Fare:

Adult: 16,00€

Children 0-12 years: Free