Trips & tickets
The return boat to the islands from Vigo or Cangas in the Vigo estuary — the basic way over, with the day on the islands yours.
A sailboat from Vigo with a picnic on board, snorkelling and paddleboarding, anchoring off the islands so you can walk to the lighthouse.
Return transport from Santiago and the ferry tickets, with free time on the beaches and the walk to the lighthouse.
The full GetYourGuide listing for the Cíes Islands — ferry crossings, sailing trips and kayak tours from Vigo, with live prices.
The Cíes Islands sit at the mouth of the Ría de Vigo and form part of a national park, which limits how many people can visit each day. In season, getting there means a ferry from Vigo or a nearby port, plus a free access permit that is usually arranged with the ticket.
There are also sailing day trips and kayak tours for those who want to see the islands from the water. These pages compare the ways across and what a day on the islands involves.
Plan it properly
Planning a visit to the Cíes Islands: the free Xunta permit needed at Easter and from 15 May to 15 September, the 1,800-a-day quota, the two-hour pre-booking code, ferries from Vigo (about 40 minutes), Cangas and Baiona, fares, and day trips from Vigo and Santiago.
What to do on the Cíes Islands: Rodas beach (1.3 km), the lagoon, the Monte Faro lighthouse route (7 km there and back, 175 m climb), Pedra da Campá and the bird observatory, the other viewpoints, facilities, and the park rules to know.
The story behind the Cíes Islands: the Atlantic Islands national park (declared in 2002, 8,480 ha), the world's largest yellow-legged gull colony, dolphins and whales, a Bronze Age village, hermits, pirates, fish-salting factories, the 1852 lighthouse, and how to visit responsibly.
The islands
Photographs licensed from Shutterstock.
In high season — Holy Week and 15 May to 15 September — yes. Each visitor needs a free permit from the Xunta de Galicia before travelling, because the islands have a daily visitor limit.
Return boats run from Vigo and Cangas in the Vigo estuary. There is also a full-day sailing trip from Vigo.
Yes. A 10-hour day trip from Santiago de Compostela includes the transport and the ferry tickets.
Beaches and footpaths — including the walk to the lighthouse. There is little else, so bring what you need for the day.