Blown Away by the Rias

When the sun is shining in Galicia in Summer there are few places better on this earth. We anchored off Illa de Ons to experience the isolated beauty of the Galician Atlantic Islands and then on Ria de Arousa. Navigating through the channels in between the Viveros (the rope mussel growing rafts) we reached the sheltered anchorage at Illa de Arousa, south of Porto Xufre. What a wonderful spot and somewhere to settle for a few days before moving round to Muros. The houses and harbour on the southern bay retains the feel of a sleepy fishing village and the port side on the north is bustling with locals and Spanish tourists enjoying the relaxed atmosphere and fabulous seafood. Mussels and clams are exceptional quality and value.

We felt so settled and stayed for four nights, visiting quayside restaurants and buying fresh mussels and dorada to cook on board. The nearby beaches were quiet, clean and with clear water. The nearby Illote Guidoiro Areoso could have been plucked out of the Caribbean, or the Sardinian Maddalenas. A dip in the sea meant a fresh reminder it was still Galicia!

Time was pressing on and we weighed anchor to sail up to Muros Marina to start preparing Moana for the Biscay Crossing and to meet Wynne. It was just a few hours out and round to Muros and, after topping up the fuel tank, the helpful marina manager, Antonio, guided us to a finger berth for the night. On his arrival in Spain Wynne took the bus from Santiago de Compostela and was on board in the Moana Bubble by that evening. A few more anchorages and some weather watching ahead before going for the crossing.