Atlantic Islands of Galicia: experience the sea firsthand

We'll discover the unique features that characterize each archipelago in the National Park through its greatest treasure, but also its least known: its marine environment and the life it supports.

Description

For three days, we'll visit the archipelagos with a different perspective that shows us the sea as the natural engine of island life and culture.
We will explore the Cíes Islands (Beyond the Beaches and snorkeling safari), Sálvora (paddle surfing + snorkeling safari and surviving between the wind and the sea) and Cortegada (kayak and floating forest) through different activities.

The experience in detail

Activities

  • Guided interpretive routes through the different islands
    Paddle surf
    Snorkeling Safari
    Guided kayak tour

Programme

Day 1 - CIES ISLANDS
Morning: Beyond the beaches, a guided tour of the islands will focus specifically on discovering the Park's marine environment through observation of the landscape and marine life: birds, marine fauna, cliffs... the islands as a bridge between life above and below the sea. Afternoon: Snorkeling safari, an activity to discover the richness and biodiversity of the islands and reflect on the importance of the marine environment in our lives. After a briefing, we will dive into the waters of the National Park with a guided snorkeling tour to discover the underwater fauna hidden within, always following guidelines that allow us to do so in a manner that is respectful of the environment we visit.
Day 2 - CORTEGADA
Morning: Guided kayak tour to Cortegada Island. We'll sail between its reserve islets, the Malveiras, and reach a floating forest. But before setting foot on land, we'll admire the submerged vegetation that decorates the shallow seabed of this archipelago and, with the help of a viewing platform, contemplate the colorful and abundant marine life concentrated in just a few meters of water. Visiting the floating forest, we'll take a guided tour to discover the unique vegetation that characterizes the most lush island in the National Park. Unlike the other islands, Cortegada is located in the inner part of the estuary, creating a very different setting, transporting us to a forest surrounded by the sea. Afternoon: Enjoy free time on the beach.
Day 3 - SÁLVORA
Morning: Paddle boarding + snorkeling safari, two complementary activities that will allow us to connect with the sea and enjoy the National Park's marine environment firsthand in a respectful way. Afternoon: Surviving between the wind and the sea, a guided route to complete the tour of the Park's most enigmatic island, learning about part of its history and natural heritage.

Included services

Travel Guide
Material to be used depending on the product:
Paddle boards, kayaks, wetsuits, diving masks, snorkels, fins, booties, visual guides to the National Park's fauna and flora, underwater identification charts, and viewing platforms.

Additional Services

Optional: catering

Possibility of also visiting the island of Ons (check availability).

Ecotourism Commitment

Donation of 5% of the profits to CEMMA, a Galician NGO that works to study, disseminate, and conserve cetaceans in Galicia and carries out part of its work in the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park.

Focusing activities and content on the National Park's greatest value, but also its least known: the marine environment and its associated life (birds, vegetation, marine fauna, cetaceans, etc.)

Using environmental education as the basis for the activities and content developed during the sessions, which allows for creating connections between our daily actions and the conservation of natural spaces such as the National Park.

Knowledge of the problems associated with ecosystems to increase awareness of their conservation.

Removal of solid waste found during activities, thus leaving a more positive impact on the environment we visit.

Sustainable tourism

  • The resources and activities we carry out are aligned with the goals specifically outlined in the roadmap for some of the main SDGs:
    OBJECTIVE 3 – HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
    GOAL 5 – GENDER EQUALITY
    GOAL 13 – CLIMATE ACTION
    GOAL 14 – UNDERWATER LIFE
    OBJECTIVE 15 – LIFE AND TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
    GOAL 17 – PARTNERSHIPS TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS
  • Environmental compliance with the DNSH criterion (do not cause significant harm).
  • I work with small, local businesses, promoting social and environmental sustainability.
  • Minimizing the carbon footprint when carrying out activities.
  • Use of durable materials selected according to environmental criteria (fabrics, inks, substrates, proximity, etc.) to achieve the highest possible level of sustainability.
  • Commitment to eliminating single-use plastics from our activities.
  • Commitment to reducing water use and using environmentally friendly soaps for washing materials.

ECOTOURIST RESERVE

Natural spaces

These are the natural spaces where this experience takes place: the Atlantic Islands of Galicia: experience the sea firsthand.

Organizing company/ies