Cortegada Island Island

Address: Cortegada Island (Ilha de Cortegada), Ría de Arousa, Galicia, Spain

Hours: Daytime access (boat schedules determine arrival)

Admission: No formal entry fee; nature reserve regulations may apply

Cortegada Island is a small island in the Ría de Arousa off the coast of Galicia in northwestern Spain, in the province of Pontevedra. It is noted for its dense woodland and position within the Rias Baixas coastal system.

Visitors encounter a compact island landscape dominated by native trees and sheltered shores; access is typically by boat from nearby coastal towns. The island is used for short nature visits, birdwatching and coastal walks rather than large-scale tourism.

Cortegada has a history of human use linked to nearby mainland communities and has been incorporated into regional conservation efforts to protect its natural habitats. It is one of the islands included in Galicia’s network of protected Atlantic islands.

The island sits within the Ría de Arousa in Galicia, off the western coast of Spain, close to towns on the Pontevedra coast.

• Protected status: Part of the group of Atlantic islands off the Ría de Arousa and included in the Illas Atlánticas de Galicia protected area network.

Boat trips to Cortegada depart from towns around the Ría de Arousa such as Vilagarcía de Arousa or Carril; services are seasonal and weather-dependent. Organized tours are the typical way to visit.

• The island is reachable by daily boat trips from Vilagarcía de Arousa and other Rías Baixas ports - verify seasonal schedules.
• Respect nesting areas and stick to designated trails when ashore; the island is a protected area.
• Combine a visit with oyster- and seafood-focused meals in nearby coastal towns for a full Rías Baixas experience.