Northern Spanish rias pilotage at a glance
RCC Pilotage Foundation pilot book authors Henry Buchanan and Steve Pickard explain what you need to know for cruising the northern Spanish rias
The north coast of Spain stretches 300 miles from the French border in the east to Galicia and A Coruña in the west. Cabo Ortegal forms the western boundary of the Bay of Biscay and Cabo Estaca de Bares to the east is the northernmost point of Spain.
There are nearly 70 harbours and estuaries and hundreds of anchorages on this still largely undeveloped coast, which is lush and green, watered by the many small rivers that rise in the mountains of the Cordillera behind.
Harbours and towns
Ría de Cedeira, 12 miles south-west of Cabo Ortegal, is the only one of the Rías
Altas on the north-west coast of Galicia. The other rias are all east of Cabo Ortegal, and the first marina to the east is Viveiro. Ría de Cedeira offers a bolthole and though difficult to identify by eye, the ria is well marked with lights.
In the Golfo Artabo, some 25 miles to the south-west of Cabo Ortegal, are two marinas at A Coruña and smaller marinas in the Ría de Betanzos at Sada and Ares. There a many anchoring opportunities.
Key navigation points and hazards
The coast is not difficult navigationally; the tidal range is moderate, the currents slight, the water clear and there are few off-lying dangers except around northwest Galicia. It is rocky, however, and subject to swell. Ports of refuge in storms are few and far between. Tidal streams in estuaries and harbour entrances can be strong, especially on the ebb or if the river is in spate, denoted some way off by the outflow of brown water.
Sailing conditions
Northern Galicia has much the same climatic feel as southwest England. West of Cabo Ortegal, gales are infrequent during the summer but may occur, notably the nordeste pardo, a cloudy northeaster. In winter, Galicia’s weather is largely determined by frontal systems bringing strong southwesterlies.
Swell
North-west Galicia is most exposed to Atlantic swell, exacerbated by the proximity of the continental shelf and often originating in storms hundreds of miles offshore. To the east of Cabo Ortegal the swell can also appear without warning. All banks should be avoided in swell conditions. Keep outside the 5m line in any swell conditions, which will preclude any entry into many small harbours. Remember that you may get in but be unable to leave if the swell builds.
Transport links
There are direct flights to the UK from A Coruña, Santiago de Compostela, Santander and Bilbao. A narrow-gauge rail line (www.feve. es) runs between Bilbao, Santander, Oviedo and El Ferrol in Galicia. The main north coast road is being expanded into motorway and there are regular coach and bus services.
Fiestas
Fiestas take place throughout the year but August is the main month for them, especially in ports when fishing boat crews are home. Celebrations include church services, processions, fireworks, music and dancing. Dressing overall by yachts is always appreciated on these occasions.
Find out more at: www.rccpf.org.uk