Rules of the Maritime-Terrestrial National Park of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia.
Park regulations
It is NOT allowed:
1. throw away any food waste or garbage, as there are no waste garbage cans, so you must bring the garbage to the port of origin and deposit it in the containers upon disembarkation.
2. Disembark domestic animals, except guide dogs accompanying blind people.
3. Access or transit with motor vehicles, except wheelchairs.
4. Circulation on bicycles and/or similar vehicles.
5. Camping outside of the places destined for such purpose.
6. Lighting any type of fire, bonfire or similar.
7. Access areas marked as restricted to the public, as they must respect the crops, fences and fences and must use the roads and walkways and avoid walking outside them inside the Park.
8. Disturbing, injuring, capturing or killing wild animals.
9. Tearing, cutting or damaging vegetation, including flowers and fruits.
10. Collecting, destroying or altering elements of archaeological, historical or geological interest, both terrestrial and marine: stones, shells, etc.
11. Introducing native animal and/or plant species.
12. To carry out any activity that destroys, deteriorates or disrupts the unique natural elements of the area.
13. Using loudspeakers or emitting noises that may disturb the natural tranquility of the place.
14. Diving without prior authorization.
15. Underwater fishing and sport fishing.
16. Remaining or transiting with weapons, harpoons, spear guns or other similar utensils.
17. Eat in any place as they should only use recreational areas for meals.
18. Smoking is allowed, as long as the cigarette butt is not thrown to the ground, nor lit cigarettes (all precautions are necessary to minimize the risk of fire).
YES it is allowed:
1. Bringing food, as long as the waste is taken to the point of origin, since there are no waste garbage cans.
2. Smoking, as long as the cigarette butt is not thrown on the ground.
3. Disembark guide dogs.
4. Access with manual wheelchairs (motorized wheelchairs cannot board the boat).
5. Circulate with any type of children's carts or carts for transporting people or luggage, but only on authorized lanes.
Basic services on the island
Health care – At the present time, none of the archipelagos has permanent health personnel. In the months of July and August, and weekends in June and September, the Cíes Islands archipelago has this service, since it coincides with the highest influx of visitors. The Red Cross hut in the Cíes Islands is located a few meters from the information hut, next to Rodas Beach, and is attended by several staff members who are available to assist visitors.
Lifeguards – Generally, the city of Vigo also assigns to these islands a beach surveillance service during the summer season. These services assist on the islands, generally with the first boat and leave on the last boat of the day.
Drinking water – It is important to bear in mind that drinking water is a scarce commodity, even more so during the driest periods, which coincide with the highest influx of visitors. There are some public fountains on the islands, but they usually do not have water in summer and if they do have water, it is not guaranteed to be drinkable. It is important, therefore, to bring water to visit the islands since this is a territory with a saline environment that is conducive to dehydration under the sun.
Public toilets – The public toilets, accessible to the handicapped, are located on the road above the campsite, on Lighthouse Island.
Rest areas – Taking advantage of the natural shelter provided by the trees, several rest areas were set up next to some of the most frequented paths with tables or benches to take a break, eat or just sit and enjoy the scenery and tranquility. These areas are located next to the lake and another one next to Nosa Señora Beach.
Services available to visitors
Information Booth – In the archipelago of the Cíes Islands, the information point is located 100 meters from the Rodas dock (embarkation port), on the island of Monteagudo. Here you can request all the information you need about the National Park, both in terms of services and possible activities to be carried out on the islands. The main objective of this service is to provide visitors with all the information they need to make the most of their visit. This service is available whenever there is regular maritime transport service.
Information Center – Located 1.2 km from the Rhodes pier on Lighthouse Island. Inaugurated as an Interpretation Center in 1997, it is located inside an old artillery warehouse from the 19th century, which was built on the ruins of the Monastery of San Esteban, dating from the 11th century and center of island life at that time. Inside you can still see the remains of the foundations, some pieces that were part of the cornices of the building and an anthropomorphic tomb, belonging to one of the monks who lived there. Currently, the Center has a visitor information point, an interpretation-exhibition room about the park with an area for children's workshops, and a multipurpose room for screenings, courses, conferences, or activities with groups programmed by park staff or requested by the park. It is generally open during the summer season.
Viewpoints – Although there are many places on the islands from which to admire the landscape, only some of them are considered as such because of their great scenic interest, size and location, which are accessible to most visitors. In Cíes we recommend: Cíes Lighthouse, Faro da Porta, Monteagudo Lighthouse, Pedra da Campá or Alto del Príncipe.
Observatories – Wooden huts for the observation of seabirds with a suitable design to approach the breeding areas without disturbing or scaring the bird colonies. There are two in the Cíes Islands, one located a few meters from the Pedra da Campá viewpoint (Lighthouse Island) and the other next to the Monteagudo Lighthouse (North or Monteagudo Island).
Information panels and signage – The National Park has an information panel in the Cíes archipelago, located in front of the information booth.
It contains a specific map of the archipelago, with services, points of interest and itineraries, as well as a general map with the location of the National Park and some basic aspects of the regulations of the natural space.
As for signage, there are directional signs for the main itineraries and points of interest, complemented with distances, which facilitates the tour of the islands.
Hotel services
Camping de Cíes – It is a private facility, authorized through a concession. It is located on Faro Island, 700 meters from the park's information booth. It has limited capacity, so it is advisable to make reservations in advance on their website. You must present your camper's card at the shipping companies to request a transportation ticket with an overnight stay on the island. The campsite is generally open whenever there is regular transport of visitors, although it is safer to confirm this beforehand.
Restaurants – In the Cíes Islands there are several catering establishments that remain open during the period of regular public transport during the summer season. Nowadays the following restaurants are located on the island: restaurant and self-service at the campsite, Bar Serafín, Restaurante de Rodas and Bocatería Begoña.