Pontevedra is the place of maritime and mercantile traditions, a destination in the northwest of the peninsula that leaves you speechless for its landscapes and culture. It has one of the most important historical centers of Galicia and its gastronomy is elegant and exquisite. Anyone who visits Pontevedra will fall in love with all it has to offer. And besides, it has the National Park of the Atlantic Islands, composed of the Cíes Islands and the islands of Ons, Cortegada and Sálvora. What more could you ask for?

Today we have come to propose you the best way to discover all that we have mentioned from a very special point of view, renting a boat! This way, you will be able to tour the incredible Rías Bajas and the coast of Pontevedra in an original way. You will be able to sail the Atlantic waters at your own pace, choosing your own itinerary and destination, admiring the beauty of the landscapes and the migratory birds of Pontevedra. What do you think? We love the idea so we leave you below everything you need to know to rent a boat in the province of Pontevedra.

Where to rent a boat in Pontevedra?

• Vigo: in the middle of the Vigo estuary and protected by the Cies Islands, this municipality is one of the most popular to rent a boat. This is because it has one of the best-known ports in the country and you can find a wide variety of boats for rent. If you want to spend a dream day, do not hesitate to rent a motor boat and head to O Vao Beach, where you will have the best views of the Toralla Islands surrounded by crystal clear waters.

• Sanxenxo: belonging to the region of Salnés, this municipality is bathed by the Ría de Pontevedra and is the perfect place to rent a boat without a license and take a ride along the coast with your friends. If you don't have your sailing license, no problem! Here you can rent boats that don’t require a license and sail along the different beaches of Sanxenxo.

• El Grove: located at the entrance of the Ría de Arosa and in front of the Carreirón Natural Park, this is one of the best destinations to rent a boat and go to the Arosa Island. There you will find the famous beach Area Da Secada, a must if you finally rent a boat in El Grove.

• Villanueva de Arosa: if it was already easy to access the island of Arosa from El Grove, from Vilanova you are just a few minutes away. You can rent a boat without a skipper and without a license and enjoy a sailing day through the crystal-clear waters and sandy beaches that stand out in this destination of Pontevedra. Don’t forget to visit Terrón or Esteiro Beach, you will love them.

• Bayona: it belongs to Vigo and is the perfect place if you were thinking of renting a sailboat or a big boat to share beautiful moments with your family. Ladeira Beach or O Burgo Beach are some that you can’t miss if you decide to rent a sailboat with or without skipper.

• Cangas Do Morrazo: this municipality of the Rias Bajas, has some of the most beautiful beaches of Pontevedra. Therefore, renting a boat is one of its main attractions for tourists, as it allows to know them in depth from unique perspectives. These are Castiñeiras, Areacova and Barra Beach, three of the most impressive beaches in the area.

These are the most popular spots in Pontevedra to rent a boat, but do not hesitate to organize a good sailing itinerary where you can visit the Cíes Islands, Cambados and Bueu, where you will also find dream beaches perfect for anchoring with your boat and enjoy.

What types of boat rentals are there in Pontevedra?

The truth is that you can rent from motor boats to large boats such as a yacht, but what most people who visit Pontevedra usually rent are boats that do not need a sailing license. This is because these are vessels with which you can sail up to 2 miles from the coast, with a capacity of up to 8 people in some cases and perfect to go to unique destinations such as the Cíes Islands, the Arosa Island or different beaches and coves of the Rias Bajas.

But that does not mean that it is the only one of your options. If you have a nautical license, we recommend you to rent a sailboat and spend several days doing a regatta in the Rias Bajas, an experience that will leave you marked for life and perfect to spend time with your loved ones exploring one of the best destinations in Galicia.

When is the best time to rent a boat in Pontevedra?

Like all of Galicia, Pontevedra has a pleasant climate during the summer season. The rest of the year, rains and winds can be something that prevents you from enjoying a sailing day in the Rias Bajas so we recommend renting a boat in the summer. This way, you not only enjoy the best of Pontevedra but also sunny days without too many degrees.

What do I need to know before renting a boat in Pontevedra?

If you are going to take the step of renting a boat, the first thing you have to do is to make sure if you need your nautical license or not. If so, do not forget to have it in order to present it on the day of delivery of the boat, in addition to the necessary documentation such as ID card or passport. If the boat you rent is without a skipper, remember that you will usually be asked for a deposit that will be returned if the boat returns in the same conditions. And don't forget the fuel, another point that you will have to take into account when organizing your sailing itinerary. And, in case of renting a boat with skipper, he will be the one who organizes the boat trip so you will only have to worry about enjoying the experience of sailing the waters of Pontevedra.