The Xacobean Nautical Journey is an excellent option to travel the The Way of Saint James in a different way, by sea, and to obtain the Nautical Pilgrimage Certification, combining a sailing and land route. You will get a Pilgrim's Passport, we will stamp it in each port and guide you to the Cathedral by land from Portosín and from Boiro.

From Ribadeo and Baiona or Vigo you cross the Galician estuaries to link with historical pilgrimage routes by sea:

  • Portosin-Noia. The Real Club Náutico de Portosín is your point of contact with the 'Portus Apostoli' of Noia, the medieval connection between Santiago de Compostela and the sea.
  • Cabo de Cruz. The Club Náutico de Boiro puts you on the path along the Sea of Arousa and the River Ulla Route.

Embark on the Xacobea Nautical Journey and get the Compostela!

You can saill

Everyone can enjoy the Xacobea Nautical Journey, the only requirement is to do it on a sailing boat. Whether you are an expert skipper or looking for your first sea crossing, we have prepared options for you.
Those who have their own boat, are entitled to discounts on moorings and other advantages with the Xacobea Nautical Journey Pass and can use it freely for a period of 6 months.
We also offer rental boats, with and without a skipper, of different sizes with our Charter Xacobea Nautical Journey option and you can even design your experience with our A La Carte option.
Imagine discovering the Galician coast from another perspective: villages, beaches, estuaries and cliffs acquire new beauty when they go from being viewpoints over the sea to being on the horizon.

Maritime routes

You must do one leg by sea and another on land For the sailing stage you have two options: departure from Real Club Náutico de Ribadeo, in the north, or Real Club Náutico de Vigo or Monte Real Club de Yates de Baiona, in the south and arriving at Real Club Náutico de Portosín or Club Náutico de Boiro.
 

  • Northern Crossing: From Ribadeo by sea to Portosín or Boiro.

Departure from the Real Club Náutico de Ribadeo, with stops to stamp your Pilgrim's Passport at the Club Náutico Ría de Ares, Real Club Náutico de La Coruña and Real Club Náutico de Portosín. From here, you can start the land route to Noia - or continue by sea to the Club Náutico de Riveira and Club Náutico de Boiro (in Cabo de Cruz).

 

  • Southern Crossing: From Baiona or Vigo to Boiro or Portosín.

Departure from the Monte Real Club de Yates de Baiona or the Real Club Náutico de Vigo, with stops to stamp your Pilgrim's Passport at the Real Club Náutico de Rodeira (Cangas), Club Náutico de Portonovo, Real Club Náutico de Sanxenxo, Club Náutico de San Vicente do Mar (in O Grove) and Club Náutico de Boiro (in Cabo de Cruz). From here, you can start the land route or continue by sea to Club Náutico Deportivo de Riveira and Real Club Náutico de Portosín.

The stretch on land

After the journey, continue your way by land to the finish line, Santiago de Compostela. There are two options to follow in the footsteps of those who, for centuries, arrived by sea from all the ports of Europe. Remember to do the last kilometres on foot and go to the Pilgrim's Office (Oficina del Peregrino Rúa Carretas, 33) to request your Nautical Pilgrimage Certification.

 

- From Portosín, we approach Noia. The town, formerly under the jurisdiction of the Archbishopric of Santiago, used to be Portus Apostoli, the port of Compostela. There is lots of information regarding this, as it is known that since ancient times pilgrims disembarked in various ports along the estuary or that there were hospitals to receive them as well as ordinances to guarantee their rights. From Portosín, which bears witness to the Portus Apostoli, we pass through the town of Noia, with its peculiar guild ribbons that identify professions of the deceased. Further on, Toxosoutos is a beautiful place that houses the remains of the old monastery. They are good excuses to take a break at Santa María de Urdilde or, in Bertramiráns, on the banks of the Sar in the Val de Amaía. And we arrive in Compostela.

 

 

- From Cabo de Cruz (Boiro), you can continue on land or go up the river Ulla to Padrón or Pontecesures and continue on land along the Sea of Arousa and River Ulla Route. According to tradition, it is the Translatio route: the body of the Apostle was taken here, coming from the port of Jaffa, in Palestine after his martyrdom. The Codex Calixtino itself makes reference to this and, to commemorate it, every summer there is a maritime-river procession that, from the ports of the Ría de Arousa, goes up the river Ulla to Padrón. In the Ría de Arousa itself, we are tempted by the beauty of its islands (Ons, Sálvora, A Toxa and Arousa) as well as by the entrance to the river Ulla through the Torres de Oeste, in Catoira. We land in Cabo de Cruz, and pass through Boiro and two important centres such as Rianxo and Padrón. It is the land of corn, which houses several of the most prominent hórreos (granaries) in Galicia. From O Milladoiro we can already see Compostela.

 

Q for Quality and coastal villages

The Xacobea Nautical Journey only stops at sailing clubs that have the Q seal of Tourist Quality for marinas, a guarantee of quality.
In them you will find all the services you need to make sure you are not missing anything for your trip. Along the route you will have all the nautical services, from the right to mooring at all stops to the most diverse benefits.
But we also invite you to visit the coastal towns, which include the great cities of the Atlantic coast and the villas of authentic seafaring flavour. Ribadeo in the Bay of Biscay, the ports of Golfo Ártabro and the large tourist centres of the Rías Baixas await you with all the activities, sightseeing and leisure attractions they have on offer so that you may fully enjoy the Galician coast.

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