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Islas Cies-Spain | Fascinating Unspoilt Islands Offshore from Vigo Bay.



The marvellous Islas Cies are an enchanting archipelago of Spain, a group of fascinating unspoilt islands offshore from Vigo Bay in the Atlantic Ocean facing a wonderful Northwestern corner of the Iberian Peninsula part of that stupendous  autonomous community called Galicia bordered on its southern side by Portugal, a destination highly suggestive, mystical, mysterious extremely captivating transmitting many tourists very special feelings in a while.
 
Located at just some kilometres from a wonderful coastline that Oceanic paradise is accessible by navigation services managed by the companies Naviera Mar Naviera Isla De Ons and catamarans which regularly run in summer from the harbours of Bayona, Vigo and Cangas offering many tourists a unique opportunity to discover the fascination of those small pearls immediately delighting anyone once landed on their soils.

That archipelago formed by the Isla Monteagudo, the Sharp Mont  also known as Illa Norte the Northern Island, Isla del Medio (Island of the middle) well known as Isla do Faro the Lighthouse Island and Isla del Sur (Southern Island) also named Isla de San Martiño (St. Martin Island) spectacular attractions belong the Parish of San Francisco de Afora in the municipality of Vigo.

Close to other beautiful, wild, small islets such as A Agoeira ou Boeiro, Penela dos Vinos, O Carabelos and Ruzo, all them are extremely captivating for their charming silhouettes reminiscent something of remote reminding old legends, epic narrations which took place on those wonders arising from deep Oceanic waters.

That fascinating setting transports the imagination of everyone to the world of navigators searching new routes, hidden shelters of corsairs, shipwrecks, places which could be protagonists in successful novels.
 
Declared Nature Protected Reserve in 1980 for its high natural value, although there was a rapid deterioration of the environment which was suffering because of human activities, over the years, the situation changed with a legal protection thanks to a statute dated November 2000 when the Galician Parliament agreed unanimously to ask the central government's statement archipelago national park.

The House of Representatives took the final agreement on July 2002 creating the National Maritime-Terrestrial Park of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia, formed by a group of islands and islets such as Cies, Ons, Sálvora, Noro, Vionta  and Malveiras Cortegada.

All them are part of the Atlantic Islands National Park of Rias Baixas, a stunning marine environment boasting  the larger seabed of that Oceanic area, a superb highlight in its kind increasing much more the interest of a multitude of visitors who want to see those spectacular attractions.

Those islands have a very special formation by the end of the Tertiary consisting in big granitic rocks former parts of the heights present along the coast of Galicia which sank also created the beautiful Rias, those narrow inlets penetrating  in the mainland forming sort of  fjords, great highlight in a spectacular natural scenery of a fabulous, picturesque littoral which could be immortalised without hesitations in a winning spot to promote in every Tourism Fair a very special destination.

The territorial environment of the Cies Islands in its western side is rough with imposing cliffs some of them over 100,0 metres high highlighted by Fumas, typical caves generated by the erosion, wind and the strength of the sea while the northern side has another aspect with the presence of woods, scattered bushes and natural barriers protecting that side permitting the formation of dunes and beaches.
 

The eastern section has more gentle slopes covered by forests, scrub and shaped spurs which protect those lands by winds allowing the formation of coves and sandy plateaus.

The Atlantic storms pass over Islas Cies  discharging to hit the coast and they receive about half of rain than the rest of the coastline of the territory of the Rias Baixas.

The Isla Monteagudo with a surface of 179,5 hectares is separated from the coast of Cape Home in the Morrazo Peninsula by the North Canal, it is characterised by rugged rocky walls dominating the entire environment and on its northern territory lies the highest peak of the archipelago called Alto des Cies with an altitude of 197,0 metres.

A great highlight on its soil is represented by the spectacular Praia Da Rodas, a magnificent beach approximately 1,2 kilometres long considered one of the most beautiful in Europe.
  
That outstanding sandy stretch since a long time ago was already a popular destination for recreation of many people from Galicia but thanks to a great promotion with also awards achieved for its immense beauty it reached a notable notoriety abroad too.

Prestigious media press titles increased important peaks of interest, not a long time it was included in the list of the 10 most beautiful in the world and in 2007 the Guardian, renowned British national newspaper elevated it as the best beach existing in the globe.

 
Praia das Rodas is a true paradise lined by clear waters and an expanse of white sand facing a magnificent, endless horizon, a striking image which explains its success and popularity  however to preserve that great natural space the access is limited to a maximum of 2200 daily visits per day.

It has in addition the particularity to connect two of the three islands linked during high tide, the water runs between those two lands on the western side also filling a sort of pond between them called Lago de los nios or Lago dos nenos, the lake of the children, a further stunning highlight, one of the most photographed points of that long, marvellous stretch formed by a spectacular scenery of fine, bright sand next to shaped rocks.

The Isla de San Martiño with an area of 145,5 hectares is very wild with high cliffs, scenic inlets, appearing as a tiny Alpine peak emerging from the Ocean at south facing the Spanish mainland offering a fascinating view of the Cape of Monte Ferro also known as Santoulo separated by a strait known as Freu da Porta.
 
Isla do Faro covers a surface of 106,6 hectares and it is famous for the relevant accumulation of sand covering the major part of its soil including the interior.
  
The Islas Cies also have a very interesting history to narrate since ancient times when they were called Siccae, a word which means dry place

They were visited and inhabited places, all that confirmed by archaeological traces which testified the human presence since 3500 BC while the rests of the first settlement created by the man is recorded from the early Iron Age. 

In addition to those relevant dates there is also evidence of a settlement dated the Bronze Age  between 500 and 100 BC with the renmants of a fort situated on the slopes of the Mount Faro. 

Also the Romans settled them confirmed by the findings of artifacts after by archaeological excavations with the discovery of pieces of gold and a ring dated the 2nd century AD next to the findings of other objects such as amphorae, pottery, fragments of terra cotta, tools, utensils all items nowadays displayed in the Museum of Pontevedra.

As many other islands in the world and it is enough to mention the Greeks scattered all around the Aegean Sea also the Cíes Islands as those Hellenic beauties have their legends fed by popular myths.

They were originally called Illas Deuses, the Islands of the Gods and according to  historic information used as refuge by a great ancient civilisation, the Phoenicians who often placed their vessels on their shores as natural docks during their trips by sea and probably inhabited by a small Celtic tribe.

In addition they were mentioned by prominent figures such as  Strabo, Pliny the Elder and Diodorus Siculus including there are legends mentioning the presence on them of  Julius Caesar in the period of his struggle against Herminius, explored by the Normans who checked if strategically they could be settled and furthermore in different period favourite shelters of pirates.

Closely related to the latter the most audacious event tell that they were also a strategic base of legendary corsairs, one of them was the famed former British Admiral Francis Drake  who had tilled those lands to hide his treasures which perhaps are still buried there waiting for to be discovered. 

Whether those legends and stories are true or false  one thing is certain those islands do not leave anyone indifferent for their impressive beauty, extremely fascinating packed by unique marv els.

In the Middle Ages around the late 11th century the Islas Cies were occupied by monks of various orders among them a community of Benedictines who abandoned for a period them returning there once again in the late 13th century while in the 14th century a group of Franciscan friars of the Order of Cluny lived in the archipelago for some years.

All those alternative Religious presences coming and going are confirmed by the presence of  Monasteries as  that one of San Estevo dedicated to St.Stephen lying in the Isla do Faro and also a further established in that of San Martiño.

The frequent landings of those Ecclesiastic figures were due to the proximity of the coastal city of Vigo choosing those sites to find a peaceful, isolated haven far from the busy life of the mainland, praying but also focused on salting factories which was one of their main productive activities and on the remains of them was erected a restaurant you can see nowadays.

In many occasions those places were attacked by pirates who used them as a base of operations for their raids which frequented devastated many coastal villages and towns of the Ria do Vigo and due to that those Religious communities preferred to leave the Cies Islands coming back on the mainland.  

The presence of those bucaneers endured until the 18th century, all that produced a definitive depopulation despite in the mid 19th century was built the first lighthouse on the Isla del Medio also called for that Isla do Faro.

The islands returned to be populated by some families from O Morrazo who were engaged in fishing and sheep in the 60's but in a short time they were abandoned  once again.

In the 70's and much more in the 80's  they began to be a destination for tourism especially visited by local young people who went in search of an uncontaminated nature, sea, sun, freedom, looking for peace far from families and social surveillance, times which determined since then the advent of the camping activity.

Closely related to that, once landed at the port, you can enjoy a day of strolling, sunbathing, swimming and even spending a night in an established camping providing a restaurant and a super market.

The complex has a capacity of approximately 800 places, the maximum stay allowed is 15 days, to be able to spend a stay at Illas Cíes imperatively the visitors need to book in advance, obtaining the camping card.

Reservations can be made at the desk at the campsite located in the Yachting Vigo office and headquarter, you will be issued the card, without that the shipping company will delivery just one round-trip ticket for the same day. 

That site does not provide bungalows or other kinds of accommodations, the tourists must then bring with them a tent if they want to have the pleasant privilege spending a night in that Paradise but recently was added a service permitting to rent a tent.

The National Park with its centre also provides professional guides who accompany the visitors along some beautiful hiking trails, the service is free but the only restriction is the number of participants which is limited to 10/15 people depending of the selected route chosen, for that the visitor has to be registered contacting the tourist information centre. 

Those activities are simply great, highly suggested for all people who want to discover a natural Eden packed by a multitude of attractions unique in their kinds, all the tours departures are from the meeting point located on the island of Monteagudo ending in the same place.

The circuit of Monte Faro is undoubtedly the most emblematic, it runs through the territory heading to the lighthouse where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the entire archipelago admiring a fantastic scenery composed by spectacular cliffs, scenic dunes flanking Praia da Rodas and the lake. 

From there you will be delighted by breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean with its infinite horizon absolutely magnificent, unforgettable, a very suggestive route in many points with just the noise of the Atlantic waves impacting on the rocks and the cry of gulls.

The tour of the lighthouse from Porta is a bit less difficult because instead of going straight to the Faro advancing towards the front door to the lighthouse located at a lower altitude, once there looking to the north and west you will enjoy a magnificent view towards Vigo Bay.

You will also have the chance to see the ruins of an ancient village called Castro O das Hortas which now is the largest archaeological site discovered in the archipelago.

 Another visit which worth to be mentioned I suggest you is that to the ruins of the Monesterio de San Estevo consisting in an old monastery currently used as centre of interpretation.

The excursion called Alto do Principe in the boundaries of the island of Monteagudo is another attractive one which takes place mostly in the shade of the trees of the territory. 

Allow observing Mucieiro dunes, a protected area where you will be delighted by a very attractive flora and once reached the summit of those heights you can admire a panoramic view with a succession of inlets, coves, splendid small beaches on one side, majestic cliffs and sharp spurs on the other, a striking image to remember forever.

The National Park is a natural area recently transformed by human action on the basis of its scenic, geologic aspect, its ecosystem next to its unique flora and fauna which have some aesthetic, educational or scientific purposes for which they deserve special protection. 

In those unspoilt islands are excluded therefore all those activities disturbing or changing  the stability of the ecosystems, fishing is permitted but it is always subject to the conservation of the natural resources while since 1992 underwater fishing is forbidden.

Very interesting is to discover them metre by metre for those who are fond of bird watching,  one of the main attractions of the islands which thanks to a a mild climate are a beloved destination of a multitude of volatiles. 

Since 1988 the islands have the added consideration of SPAs for that kind of fauna with the achieved Status of ZEPA, Zona especial para la protección de aves, which translated mean special area of protection for volatiles.

 n addition they are also included in the European level as part of the Institution Natura 2000 network which carries out directives of habitats and fauna with also operations sensitive to avoid contamination or deterioration of the places where the birds nest permanently or on their migrations.

A relevant date is the presence of over 20,000  seagulls, a recent census affirmed about 22,000 pairs consisting in one the largest colonies existing in the world consisting in the dominant species in the Islas Cies. 

In addition many others such as raptors, pigeons, petrels, pelicans, doves, yellow-footed gulls, Iberian guillermots, woodpeckers which nest in trees and cliffs and also many and varied types of volatiles wintering or resting on their migratory journey.

About other kinds of animals you can see  some wild Rabbits, hedgehogs, otters the only wild mammals despite they are not very numerous today while other small  presences such as field mice, shrews and bats.

Reptiles are represented by different types of lizards, small snakes, amphibians to a lesser extent by the scarcity of water as salamanders, frogs and invertebrates such as snails, beetles, spiders and butterflies completing the fauna of the islands.

 Regarding flora and green areas, the local forest is a place which  has undergone major changes, because native species disappeared as fig tree but pine and eucalyptus were replanted in almost a quarter of the park area.

Winds with a high salt content difficult in turn the development of trees, pines are seen trapped by vines and a floor covered with ferns.  

The interior of the islands is populated by woods with anemones, many sea urchins, scrubs mainly consisting in native species such as gorse, Xesta (broom), a kind of asparagus, spurge or rock rose

The dunes, beaches and cliffs support some endemic species of the Galician-Portuguese coastline typical of those media, physical and climatic conditions extreme.

The underwater area surrounding the archipelago forms one of the richest ecosystems of that geographic area most notable is an important kelp forest.

The perimeter of the islands have different kinds of environments, the cliffs exposed to strong waves are populated by barnacles and mussels while in its underwater section you can find crab, spider crab, lobsters, octopus with in addition protected spaces plenty of mollusks, plaice and sole.

Usually those waters are visited from time to time by dolphins, some whales and different kinds of sea turtles due to the water circulation system in and out which with the mixture of fresh and salt water favour the concentration of nutrient microorganisms which form a food source for several marine species.

Cies Islands were also witness of the sinking of vessels or other kinds of boats which sadly often have resulted in the loss of many lives. In Punta da Galeira, a cross recalls the sinking of the ship Moana Ave do Mar, a tragic event occurred in 1956 which showed the terrible toll of 26 dead sailors.

In 1978 ran aground in the Cies,after leaving the port of Vigo, Marbel factory freezer boat with more than twelve hours clinging to the rocks during a storm were rescued nine crew members but missing  27 people.

In 1979, approximately 45,0 kilometres from the archipelago the Vieljeux François with 28 members on board sank and just eight people were rescued alive.

Special mention tanker traffic off the coast of Galicia which is with normal activity a major source of pollution aggravated by the frequent, irresponsible cleaning their tanks in their wake.

In addition, the weather, the abruptness of the costs and the lack of attention to the need to renew fleets, often accidents of large merchant or seriously polluting oil off the local coast.

The most recent major disasters are those of Polycommander which crashed in the Islas Cies in 1970 with 50,000 tons of oil spread in the Atlantic, the Urquiola, which ran aground at La Coruna in 1976, spilling 20,000 tonnes of crude.

The Andros Patria suffered a fire off Cape Ortegal in 1978 released 200,000 tons, leaving a toll of the death of 34 of its 37 crew members, the Aegean Sea, also in La Coruna, and the Prestige in 2002.

The sank of the latter  few days after the sinking of the tanker the Director of National Parks acknowledged that in a first wave 85% of the national park was affected, in subsequent waves, the figure reached 90%, the islands were affected by a 30%.

The islands that make up the park were the natural barrier which stopped the entry of fuel in the Rias Baixas, the Galician Institutions worked very hard to re-establish the natural aspect of the waters and today the visitors can enjoy one of the most beautiful corners in that Atlantic space facing Northwestern Spain.

In 2013 the municipality of Vigo started to formulate the process of request to insert the Illas Cies by UNESCO in the list of the Patrimony Natural sites.

The proximity of airports as Vigo and also La Coruña permits to plan holidays in that magnificent land which offers a wide number of historic, natural attractions, that bay is one of them with a city boasting a notable patrimony and in addition you will be in one of the places of Spain to taste a divine gastronomy where fresh fish and seafood are among the best of the entire country ready to satisfy the most exigent palates with an endless list of typical, delicious delights.

In the case you are interested those marvels and Vigo I added some links below with also some recommended Hotels in that splendid centre of Galicia, if you need further information, a pleasure to help you.

Islas Cies are a beautiful small archipelago to discover and enjoy 100% ,a great destination simply special in that infinite sea boasting a great fascination.

Listening the sounds of the Ocean waves shattering on those marvellous cliffs, the smell of wild plants a short distance from picturesque, scenic sandy dunes make that environment a Mecca for all the lovers of the marine life, fascinating unspoilt islands offshore from Vigo Bay representing a little Eden to visit without hesitations taking with you after that unique experience unforgettable memories.

Francesco Mari



Recommended Hotels in Vigo 

Gran Hotel Nagari Boutique & Spa 
Hotel NH Palacio de Vigo 
Hotel AC Palacio Universal by Marriott 
Hotel Silken America Vigo 
Coia Hotel   


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