Yacht Charter Pontevedra

Yacht Charter Pontevedra

On a Pontevedra yacht charter with Borrow a Boat you can explore much of the Rias Bajas of Atlantic Spain within an easy sail. Whatever you want from a Galicia yacht charter, from enjoying the vibrant culture to beautiful beaches, a Pontevedra sailing holiday is going to be an unforgettable experience.

The self-styled capital of Galicia, Pontevedra is a city on the Portuguese pilgrimmage route to Santiago de Compostela. Its old town sports many churches and relics from bygone ages. As a pilgrimmage city, it has a reputation for being extremely welcoming to visitors, and there is a lot to enjoy here as you wander the narrow streets and take it all in.

Sitting on one of the region's Rias Bajas, Pontevedra is in one of the most beautiful parts of this region. It cliams to be the 'city that never sleeps' - though this does refer to its bars and cafes, you won't be deafened by the throb of nightclubs as you might at a Mediterranean beach resort. Expect a laid back culture that takes its afternoon siesta seriously and revives to tick on into the wee hours of the morning.

Sitting on the River Lerez, the city has a number of beautiful bridges old and new that add to the vibe. Wandering the old town you will discover many small 'praza' plazas that are generally pedestrianised and a great place to pause for a nibble or a drink.

While quintessentially Spanish, Pontevedra is very different to the towns of the Mediterranean costas. Being on the coast of the North Atlantic, it has a different and thanks to the granite topography the coastline is jagged and harsh. On your Pontevedra yacht charter you'll soon appreciate a very different yet no less compelling part of the country to its southern cousins.

Explore Leca da Palmeira By Renting A Yacht

Galicia is one of the nations that are joined together in modern Spain and may be considered as different in outlook and nature to Catalonia or Analucia as Northern Scotland is to the SE of England.

While Pontevedra calls itself the capital of Galicia, nearby Vigo is by far the larger city. It too has a beautiful and quaint old town and hardly ever sleeps, in a large part due to its modern, cosmopolitan heart. You can still get lost for hours in Vigo's backstreets and plazas but for those after a bit of a modern vibe you won't be disappointed.

Many see this region as a sailing destination for its Rias - granite bays and high cliffs battered by the North Atlantic. Either with skipper or on a bareboat basis, you can explore the beautiful coastline and islands offshore, popping ashore at a fishing village whose commerce has changed little over the centuries.

Part of the charm of the Galician Rias are the islands. Just to the west of the Pontevedra Ria are the Pontevedra islands of Ons and Mosca. Ons has a group of granite caves known as the Furnas, the biggest of which is the Burato do Inferno that legend has it reaches all the way to Hell - and you're even supposed to be able to hear the Doomed scream from within!

Slightly less scary are the Cies Island archipelago off Vigo! Two of the three islands are connected by Roda Beach, hailed the best beach in the world in terms of looks by a UK national newspaper. You may enjoy an afternoon moored off it on your luxury yacht, but do be aware this is the North Atlantic whose waters are nowhere near as warm as the Med!

Book your Pontevedra sailing holiday, whether a superyacht, sailing yacht or day charter with Borrow a Boat today to see what we're on about - a true Spain sailing destination with a difference.

How To Get To Pontevedra

Vigo Airport

Vigo Airport has airlines flying in from much of Europe. Take a bus up to Pontevedra from here.

Santiago de Compostela Airport

This has airlines flying in from across Europe through much of the year. You can take a train to Pontevedra from here.

Marinas Pontevedra

Pontevedra is home to two mid-sized marinas from which you can begin your sailing holiday.

Marina de Vilagarcia

Marina de Vilagarcia is a mid-sized marina close to the centre of Pontevedra. It is a yacht charter hub with chartercompany and boat owners offering crewed charter and bareboat boat rental of luxury catamaran charter, monohull sailing boat, luxury yacht charter and motor cruiser charter yachts. .

Berth Characteristics:

450 berths

Max Length 25m (82 Feet)

Max Draught 3m (10 Feet)

List of additional amenities: Shore power, water, WiFi, shower/WC, launderette, garbage disposal, cash machine, hotel, restaurant.

Nauta Sanxenxo

Nauta Sanxenxo marina is a mid-sized marina close to the centre of Poontevedra, taking larger superyacht as well as smaller family yachts. It is a yacht charter hub with charter company and boat owners offering crewed charter and bareboat boat rental of luxury catamaran, monohull sailing boat, luxury yacht charter and motor yacht charter yachts. .

Berth Characteristics:

420 berths

Max Length 45m (147.6 Feet)

Max Draught 8m (26 Feet)

List of additional amenities: Shore power, water, WiFi, shower/WC, launderette, garbage disposal, cash machine, hotel, restaurant.

Suggested Sailing Itineraries From Pontevedra

On a sailing boat or motor boat charter sailing itinerary out of Pontevedra, where would you like to go? On your crewed yacht charter or bareboat sailing holiday, you can go island hopping or visit the beautiful Rias of the region - why not both? Here we suggest two boat charter itineraries that take in the best of Galicia's Rias.

7 Days - Vigo and the Southern Rias: This sailing trip has more time ashore and less time at sea. Your first leg will be to Ons, one of the Pontevedra Islands where you can see the granite rock formations and listen to the 'Doomed' screaming in the caves. The next day head for the south facing Barra Beach and then spend that evening in nearby Cangas, across the bay from Vigo. A short hop the next day to Vigo and a great day ashore exploring. Off to the Cies islands the next day and a chance to enjoy Roda Beach. Portonovo will be your next evening ashore, and via Beluso to Pontevedra for handover.

7 Days - Rias and Islands: On your sailing yacht or motor cruiser, this is another opportunity to explore the Rias. Ons with its mythical cave systems will be your first night, then a short hop across to the mainland and San Vincente for the next. North again across the Ria Arousa to A Pobre do Caraminal for the next afternoon ashore. A longer leg south to Vigo the next day to enjoy the buzz and then for a little peace and quiet as contrast, the Cies Islands for the final evening afloat. Back to Pontevedra for handover.

Best Times To Hire A Yacht In Ponevedra

The sailing season in the country runs from April to October so it may pay to go earlier or later in the year. The weather is still a lot warmer than in Northern Europe - be prepared to smile in your tee shirt as you see locals bundled up in their winter jackets - but you will find the locals warmer toward you, the marinas cheaper and to have parted with less cash on the holiday in the first place. As a tip? October is better than April as the Atlantic Ocean is still warm from the summer months.

The Climate

Being the southern North Atlantic this region is affected by depressions heading from North America and it can be very cool and wet in the winter months - particularly westerlies can be fierce. Summers are warmer, milder and drier, with Pontevedra in particular one of the sunniest parts of Galicia with light easterly winds. As you would Northern Europe, expect the odd bit of snot in summer but if the fierce heat of the Med is too much you'll enjoy this part of Spain as it rarely gets above 30 degrees C here.

FAQs:

What should I consider when hiring a Yacht or Boat?

The main points to consider are what is your budget, have you got the necessary sailing experience and qualifications to manage the boat if it's not going to have a skipper, whom you are taking sailing, where exactly you wish to go and what will the weather be like on the proposed dates of your trip.

What are the Marinas in Pontevedra?

There are two marinas of similar size in Pontevedra. Marina de Vilagarcia takes up to 450 yachts of up to 25m. The slightly smaller Nauta Sanxenxo takes vessels of up to 45m.

When are the best times to hire a boat in Pontevedra?

The sailing season in the country runs from April to October so it may pay to go earlier or later in the year. The weather is still a lot warmer than in Northern Europe - be prepared to smile in your tee shirt as you see locals bundled up in their winter jackets - but you will find the locals warmer toward you, the marinas cheaper and to have parted with less cash on the holiday in the first place. Try April or October to avoid the worst of the heat!

Do you have to pay a deposit when hiring a Yacht in Pontevedra?

You will typically pay 50% up front on booking the yacht hire and the balance on arrival. You will either pay a security deposit with your credit card on departure or can get insurance covering damage in advance. In some cases (such as the recent Covid situation) charter companies may be more flexible but this depends on the individual charter companies themselves.

What happens if my Yacht breaks down?

If you are at sea and in danger, call MAYDAY on VHF Ch16 or ring the coast guard on your phone if you have reception. If you have a mechanical fault and can make it to or are on a mooring you will be able to phone a help line number given by the boat charter company.

What should I think of before I hire a Yacht or Boat in Pontevedra?

You should consider do you have the experience to handle the yacht charter or boat rental before you book and where do you want to go along with what the weather will be like. Have something for cooler winds but be prepared for fierce heat in summer.

What Qualifications Do I need to hire a boat or yacht?

If you want to sail without a skipper then you will need relevant qualifications like RYA Day Skipper/International Certificate of Competence (ICC)/ASA 104 Bareboat certificate or the US Sailing Certificate. For small 'day boats' or if you choose to have a crewed yacht charter you typically don't require licences.