Ferries Ons Island

MrFerry takes you on a tour of Ons Island, a jewel of Spain's Atlantic coastline protected by Galicia's Atlantic Islands National Park.

Once used as a refuge for pirates, Ons Island now has less than a hundred inhabitants and has seen a strong increase in tourism in recent decades, but always in a controlled, sustainable manner and with full respect for the environment.

Although less well known than the neighboring Cíes Islands, famous for its heavenly beaches, Ons Island is larger, offers more services, unspoiled nature, and a sea that has nothing to envy its "little sisters."

🚢 The ferry connections to Ons Island.

• The only way to reach Ons Island is by sea.

• The two shipping companies Naviera Armas and  Mar de Ons take care of the ferry connections on the island.

• It is possible to visit Ons Island only between April and October and on days of highest demand (holidays, bridges, weekends...).

• Departures are made from the ports of Vigo, Bueu, Portonovo, Baiona, Sanxenxo and Pontevedra.

✔️ How to book the ferry to Ons Island.

As with the nearby Cíes Islands, local authorities impose a maximum daily visitor limit on Ons Island in order to safeguard and protect its delicate ecosystem.

Therefore, during the high season and on popular dates, it is mandatory to have an island entry permit for all ferry trips.

How can I book my Ons Island entry permit?

By booking with MrFerry you will not have to go through this step! Just enter your ferry reservation and our staff will fill out the authorization for all passengers. Once the ticket is confirmed, you will receive directly by e-mail the QR code to present on the day of departure, along with the confirmation number (localizador) of the company.

Important: If you are staying overnight on Ons Island, you will be provided with a pre-authorization code by the campground. You must communicate this code by e-mail or phone to our customer service department to finalize your reservation request.

🛎️ Facilities available on Ons Island.

Unlike the Cíes Islands, Ons Island is more or less permanently populated by a few dozen people, scattered in nine small settlements. Therefore, the range of services is greater here.

The port, or rather the As Dornas pier, is located in the center of the island and concentrates most of the activities. Here you will immediately find the information booth, where you can get directions on excursions and your visit to Ons Island (although all routes are self-guided and very well marked).

You will be able to choose between a bar and two restaurants, where you can have a snack or take your time to enjoy the specialties of Galician gastronomy, such as the famous pulpo a la gallega.

In case you decide to stay overnight, you will have a small hotel and apartments available, or you can choose the glamping experience at the campsite located in the center of the island.

Inside the campground, you will find a cafeteria that also serves small meals, a laundry, a children's playground, and a store for your purchases. The facility also hosts sports and cultural events during the summer.

Ons Island, just after the Cíes Islands, is one of the most popular destinations in the Galician Islands Park during the summer season. This is because it offers the excitement of a vacation surrounded by greenery, quiet and sustainable, and satisfies all the desires of sea lovers, with its white beaches and crystal clear waters. Limited and unobtrusive tourist services welcome visitors while respecting the environment and local traditions. 

🏖️ There are five beaches on Ons Island:

• Playa de Melide, located to the north and within a half-hour walk, is the largest on the island. It is isolated and lacks amenities, but is one of the most beautiful.

• Playa de Dornas is a small cove beside the ferry embarkation pier, close to all services. The seabed is rocky, but it has little exposure to wind and currents.

• Playa de Area dos Cans is located a little further south, in the village of O Curro. It is accessed by a 200-meter wooden ramp and one of the largest on Ons Island.

• Playa de Canexol is located near the village of the same name, facing the Pontevedra estuary. It is fairly sheltered from the wind but not from currents and has private boat docking.

• Playa de Pereiró is the southernmost of Ons Island, about 20 minutes from the center. It is a small cove hidden among the rocks, with fine sand and calm sea.

🌲 But Ons Island is not just about the sea! You can walk all around the island and discover mysterious places and breathtaking views through well-maintained and practical hiking trails. These include:

• Southern Itinerary: from As Rodas to the southern tip of the island, passes by the main beaches until you reach the spectacular Buraco do Inferno, a 43-meter-deep well in the sea, and the heights from which to enjoy a wonderful view of the Galician coast and nearby Onza Island.

• Northern Route: the most popular on the island, leading to Melide Beach. It starts from the information booth and runs all along the northern part of the island. It is especially interesting for admiring the nesting of the local bird fauna.

• Ruta do Castelo: This is the shortest and most comfortable, easy to include even in a day trip. From As Dornas beach, it follows the trail to Punta do Castelo, passing through a small willow forest, and back to the village of Curro.

Some useful information before booking the ferry to Ons Island:

• It is mandatory to book round trip in one go;

• No vehicles are allowed, not even bicycles;

• Ons Island does not allow pets, except guide dogs, to protect local wildlife;

• it is possible to reach most places on the island also with a wheelchair, but it is advisable to check the availability of access aboard the ferries (contact us for more information);

• Ferries to Ons Island can be in high demand during the summer and availability can run out, so don't forget to make reservations!