Galicia & Portugal, Leg 2 - Porto to Vigo, 4-12 May 2024 (9 days)

This will be a mix of offshore and coastal sailing. The trip will be focused on cruising and training. In total, we should log up to 370 nautical miles and 60h in tidal waters.

Anticipated route:

Porto (Leixões) - Viana do Castello - Vilagarcia/Santiago de Compostela - Salvora Island - Muros - Muxia - Corme - Ons Island - Portonovo - Cies Island - Vigo

We will be maintaining a watch system to ensure everyone is well rested and meals are prepared on time and maintenance is undertaken when necessary.

Elan Impression 45 ("Alcamaro")

Follow the boat on Marine Traffic (MMSI: 225995117).

She is a well-maintained boat, lifted out regularly to check hull, keel and prop. She is well equiped and prepared for ocean sailing. We will inspect the boat thoroughly before the voyage to ensure that every bit of equipment is absolutely ship-shaped.

General info:

• Year: 2015
• CE design category: A – Ocean
• Type: sailing
• Hull: monohull
• Length (LOA): 13.85 m (45 ft)
• Waterline length (LWL): 11.44 m (37.53 ft)
• Hull speed: 8.21kt
• Berths (Bunks): 8+2
• Cabins: 4
• WC / Shower: 2
• Beam: 4.18 m
• Draught: 1.9 m
• Air draft: 19.5 m
• Engine: 55 HP VolvoPenta D2-55F
• Fuel capacity: 215 L (Diesel)
• Water capacity: 560 L
• Displacement: 11.3 t
• Single spade rudder
• 2 composite steering wheels
• Sails: furling mainsail 46.79 m2, Furling genoa 52.47 m2
• Bow thruster
• Plastimo drogue

Equipment:

• Autopilot
• Bimini
• Swimming platform
• Dinghy
• Refrigerator
• Stove
• Sprayhood
• Radio/CD/MP3
• Socket 12V
• DSC VHF radio
• Handheld VHF DSC radio
• EPIRB
• Radar reflector
• Chart plotter with GPS and digital chartography charts
• Sextant Astra IIIB Deluxe
• PredictWind Offshore app
• Complete set of pilot books, almanacs and charts
• Pillows, bedlinen and towels for each crew member

Average weather conditions:

• Vigo
• Porto

Air and Sea temperature

The weather is generally a very mild in May. The average temperature during the day should be around 19° C, with a minimum of 12° C and a maximum of 24° C. The average sea temperature in Rias is of 16° C.

Wind and sea state

The average wind speed in that area in April/May is 5 Bft.

The sailing season is usually from April to October when the North Atlantic low-pressure systems pass more to the north. The wind varies mainly from the west to north directions and rarely reaches the force of a gale.

At first glance, Galicia has an exposed Atlantic coast with a continental plate running close to the shoreline. However, we will sail a lot around the Rias (fjords) which are protected from the Atlantic waves by the islands that are part of the Maritime Natural Park of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia. The charm is to enter these fjord landscapes and discover this unique navigation area.

The route is divided into several passages with some night sailing. You will receive a certificate of passage to prove your sea time for sailing licenses. You will be an active member of the crew, and we will provide practical training on board to ensure safety and improve your sailing skills.

We give a great amount of responsibility to each crew member in running the ship so that you can gain a good experience and learn new skills as much or as little as you want. The skipper is an instructor and will find it difficult not to teach or coach anyone who shows the slightest bit of interest.

RYA qualifying passages

If you are an aspiring Skipper or Yachtmaster, it will be an excellent opportunity to gain bluewater miles, practice navigation, pilotage and COLREG skills so that you can be more confident and comfortable when taking a boat out to sea on your own.

The opportunity will also be there to act as a skipper (with guidance if needed from the skipper) for your RYA Yachtmaster Coastal or RYA Yachtmaster Offshore qualifying 60M passages.

Main topics that you can learn or brush up:

• Maneuvering under sails & engine: berthing, hoisting and lowering sails, reefing, tacking, gybing, sail trim
• Safety: use of liferaft, lifejacket, EPIRB, PLB, AIS beacons, managing emergencies
• Equipment: use of Autopilot and VHF
• Weather forecasts and weather routing
• Ocean & coastal navigation: digital and traditional (including basics of astronavigation if of interest)
• Night navigation
• Pilotage and passage planning
• COLREGs
• Storm tactics and use of a drogue
• Life on board: organization of watches, nutrition, sleep management

Joining day - Porto

We will spend the first day preparing and victualling the yacht, going over the safety routines and practices, getting up to speed with the boat and learning or refreshing all the basic sailing skills before we embark on the journey. Once we slip the lines there will be plenty of occasions to practice tacking, gybing, reefing, boat handling under the engine and all the other key skills we must have.

We will start our trip in Leixões Marina which is conveniently located very close to the Porto Airport and the city. The center of Porto is 45 minutes away with the 500 bus along the Douro River.

Porto old town

Ponte Dom Luís Bridge

It was in the Porto that Portugal was founded in the 12th century and the Portuguese became a people and a nation. The region is crossed by the River Douro which enters Portugal between the ravines and mountains of the interior to flow through the entire World Heritage landscape where the Port and Douro wines are produced. It is from here that the wine is sent to the lodges at Vila Nova de Gaia.

Viana do Castello (35 NM)

Viana do Castelo is one of the most beautiful cities in the north of Portugal. Its involvement in the Portuguese Discoveries and, later on, cod fishing shows its traditional connection to the sea.

Viana do Castelo

Sanctuary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The special geographical situation of the city, next to the sea and to the mouth of the river Lima, can be seen from the Santa Luzia hill providing a stunning view. Viana is rich in palaces emblazoned with churches and monasteries, monumental fountains and water features that constitute a wealth of heritage worth visiting. Viana is considered a "Mecca of Architecture" thanks to the many important names in contemporary Portuguese architecture who have designed the city's amenities and spaces.

Vilagarcia (66 NM) + Santiago de Compostela

We will leave Portugal and head to Galicia which is dominated by bays similar to fjords called Rias (estuaries) that enter the land, at the end of which a river flows. In some places, they reach up to 12 nautical miles in the interior of the land and each offers a wonderful and protected navigation area. There are also a handful of islands that are also worthwhile destinations.

Rias have small fishing villages with simple harbors and good marinas nestled in a landscape of high wooded mountains and beautiful sandy beaches. And, of course, there is also gastronomy: Galicia is known well beyond the country's borders for its cuisine with tasty tapas, which are offered everywhere you visit.

Ria Arousa

Ria Arousa

Arousa estuary is of immense beauty, full of mussel rafts and islets. We will stop in Vilagarcía de Arousa. The small river Con runs through it, forming part of its identity and history. This town is also home to an important maritime, commercial and sports port, active since the mid-19th century. It is the perfect location from where to visit the Santiago de Compostela, the famous pilgrimage site (only 25 mins by train).

Santiago de Compostela

Catedral de Santiago de Compostela

Salvora Island - Muros (38 NM)

We will try make a stop on the island of Salvora (National Park) where we will anchor in its crystal water cove to take a walk to its lighthouse or visit the castle.

Ria Muros

Cape Finisterre

After that, we will head to the wildest and most natural estuary called "Muros y Noia". We will stop in Muros. Muros is a gorgeous old fishing town with many very old stone buildings dating back to the 18th century, narrow cobbled streets, flower baskets hanging from balconies, and a Romanesque church with a number of friendly bars and restaurants.

Finisterre - Muxia - Corme (62 NM)

Finisterre, in Galician called Fisterra, is a mythical place. The name of the village comes from the Romans who saw the village as "the end of the world". The Romans gave this name to Finisterre, as the village is one of the most Western points of Spain. Today, Finisterre is for many pilgrims the end point of their Camino, where they celebrate their rebirth by watching the sunset and the ritual burning of their clothing.

After rounding Finisterre we will stop in Muxia a small fishing village far off the beaten path, surrounded by stunning rocky cliffs, close to great hiking trails and lush green forests.

Muxia coastline

Sanctuary of A Nosa Señora da Barca

In Muxia, you can visit the famous church of Sanctuary of A Nosa Señora da Barca (the Virgin of the Boat), where the legends of the Virgin Mary appearing here can still be "seen" in the massive rocks.

Corme is another charming town. A walk through the town centre and along the seafront shows the charm of the coloured sea houses. Its people, closely linked to the sea and all its barnacle workers, to whom the singular Monument was erected in their honour. Worth a visit is also La Punta de O Roncudo. There is a lighthouse of O Roncudo, named for the snore that the sea produces in this place when it hits the cliffs with force.

Ons Island - Portonovo (76 NM)

On the way to Portonovo, we will try to make a stop on Ons Island (National Park). You can hike to its lighthouse to see beautiful views.

Ons Island

Portonovo

Portonovo is a fishing village and tourist center within the municipality of Sanxenxo. This charming destination captivates those who are lucky enough to discover it, offering a perfect combination of natural beauty, spectacular beaches and a bustling street life. Although it is often eclipsed by its more famous neighbours, like Sanxenxo and Pontevedra, Portonovo has preserved its authentic charm and presents itself as a coastal oasis.

Finishing day - Cies Island - Vigo

The Archipelago of the Cíes Islands (National Park) is of spectacular beauty. It is one of the most beautiful places in Spain. If the weather permits we will anchor and take a dinghy ashore to walk along its impressive trails.

Vigo

Cíes Islands (National Park)

Vigo is one of the most famous cities sheltered from the ocean by the Cíes islands. Vigo's estuary opens to the north at Cape Home and to the south at Cape Silleiro. This is an estuary of treasures, because here, in the marvellous inlet of San Simón, there are dozens of sunken galleons loaded with gold from the Americas. Also, the estuary is home to some of Galicia's best beaches.