Ons Islands
The Atlantic islands offer incomparable landscapes and harbor an impressive biodiversity, both on land and in their marine depths. Discover the beaches, cliffs, lighthouses, and trails of this protected island territory that attracts visitors from around the world to the province of Pontevedra.
Facing the Pontevedra estuary lies this beautiful archipelago composed of the islands of Ons, Onza, and the islet of As Freitosas. This place hides incredible beaches, sea caves, and spectacular cliffs such as the impressive Buraco do Inferno. A beautiful lighthouse guards the island of Ons, which has a small rural nucleus inhabited with typical seafaring houses, granaries, and a small church in honor of San Xaquín. There is the possibility of staying in one of its establishments or in the camping area and enjoying the gastronomy of As Rías Baixas. In the village, we can visit the Caño neighborhood, with its typical seafaring houses and granaries, constructions where food was stored.
On the island, there are five large beaches of great natural beauty. In the north area is the nudist beach of Melide, the largest on the island, followed by As Dornas. On the beach of Area dos Cans, the best known and frequented by bathers, is the anthropomorphic grave of A Laxe do Crego, a rock that can be accessed when the tide is low. Completing the list are the beaches of Canexol and Pereiró.
Access authorization
Access to the Atlantic Islands National Park is limited, a measure implemented to preserve and conserve this magnificent natural landscape. Access authorization to the islands is free and to obtain it, it is necessary to fill out a form (https://autorizacionillasatlanticas.xunta.gal/illasr/inicio). Subsequently, visitors must obtain the ticket from the shipping companies to access the islands by boat.
How to get there?
It is necessary to do so by boat; for this, there are multiple shipping companies that make it possible from various ports of As Rías Baixas. From Vigo, Cangas, Baiona, and O Grove, the boat departs for the Cíes. The ports of Sanxenxo, Portonovo, Bueu, and Vilanova de Arousa offer the itinerary to Ons.
Shipping companies
Hiking is one of the main attractions of this island paradise in As Rías Baixas. To the north, the tip of O Centolo offers beautiful views of A Lanzada beach and an impressive sunset over Sálvora. The route that ascends to the lighthouse leads those who undertake it to the highest point of the island, from where the views are exceptional. To the south, at the Fedorentos viewpoint, the snapshot frames a beautiful view of Onza, at the entrance to the Pontevedra estuary, and in the background, the majesty of the Cíes. The buraco do inferno is a hole over 30 m deep in which it is said that the cries of the condemned souls in their eternal agony paying for their sins can be heard and where, on days of great storms, the sea reaches beating the rocks.
Surface area: 2,641 hectares (470 terrestrial and 2,171 marine)
