Sailing with Your Dog on the Ría de Arousa: A Boat Day with Your Best Friend

Every summer we get the same question on WhatsApp, almost always with an apologetic tone: "Can we bring the dog?". And every time we give the same answer: of course you can. We rent out our skippered boat from the port of Vilanova de Arousa, and over the years we've had Labradors that leapt into the water the moment we dropped anchor, hounds that spent the whole crossing with their nose in the wind, and the odd chihuahua that slept through the entire trip on someone's lap. The dog is part of the family, and a holiday in the Rías Baixas shouldn't force you to leave it ashore.

That said, sailing with a dog isn't quite the same as sailing without one. In this article we explain how we organise a pet-friendly outing on the Ría de Arousa, what you should prepare, and which corners of the ría work best when there's a wagging tail on board.

Can you bring a dog on a rental boat in Galicia?

The short answer: it's up to the boat owner. There's no general rule in Spain banning dogs from recreational boats; the decision belongs to whoever rents out the vessel. Many charter companies turn them away for fear of scratched upholstery or dog hair, and that's their right.

Our position is clear: dogs are welcome on board, as long as you tell us when booking. We only ask for three common-sense things:

• Let us know in advance, so we can prepare the boat (extra towels, fresh water, shade rigged up) and plan a route with more swim stops.
• Your dog should be comfortable around people and respond to its owner. The boat is 8.5 metres long: there's nowhere to hide if an animal is having a bad time.
• Count it sensibly in the headcount. Our limit is 6 guests plus the skipper; a small dog doesn't take up a spot, but if you're bringing a 60-kilo mastiff we'll talk it through and adjust the group so everyone travels comfortably.

The Ría de Arousa: the best "water park" for a dog

There's a reason this plan works so well here and not on just any coastline: the Ría de Arousa is sheltered water. Illa de Arousa and Sálvora block the Atlantic swell, and the mussel rafts (bateas) iron out what's left of the chop. The result is a stable ride with no slamming or sudden rolling — exactly what a dog needs to relax on board.

Add short distances to that. From Vilanova we're a hop away from the islet of Areoso, the coves of Illa de Arousa and the Punta Cabalo lighthouse. A dog doesn't enjoy two solid hours under engine; it enjoys 20–30 minute crossings with long stops to swim, sniff around and rest in the shade. The ría is made for exactly that rhythm.

What a boat day with a dog looks like

Here's how we usually plan it, though every group adapts it to their taste:

1. A calm boarding in Vilanova

We board at the port of Vilanova de Arousa, right on the pontoon — no tenders, no tricky jumps. For most dogs, getting on board is as simple as taking a step; smaller or older ones we hand across. We keep the first few minutes at low speed so the animal can get to know the boat, find its spot and realise things don't move as much as they feared.

2. Gentle cruising among the mussel rafts

The first leg is usually the channel between Vilanova and Illa de Arousa, passing the mussel bateas. It's an area of very calm water and full of stimulation: seagulls, cormorants, the odd mussel-farmer's launch at work. Dogs tend to ride this stretch with their muzzle raised, reading the air.

3. Anchor and swim

The highlight. We anchor in a shallow sandy cove and every dog does its own thing: water dogs and Labradors launch themselves off the stern without a second thought; others prefer to be lowered near the shore where they can touch the bottom. The stern bathing platform, right at water level, makes a perfect ramp for climbing back up effortlessly.

One important note about beaches: in high season many beaches in the area restrict dog access under municipal bylaws, and protected spots like Areoso — part of the Natura 2000 network — call for extra care: dogs must be under control at all times and must not disturb the birdlife. The big advantage of a boat is that the swimming happens from the anchored boat itself, in the water, without occupying the beach. And outside summer, with the beaches half empty, the options multiply.

4. Sunset run home (optional)

If it's an afternoon trip, the return to Vilanova with the sun sinking behind the ría is the perfect finish. By then the dog is usually exhausted and happy, curled up on its towel — the best sign the plan worked.

What to bring for your dog (checklist)

We provide towels, fresh water and shade. On your side:

• Their own water and bowl if your dog is picky about it (we carry some on board, just in case).
• A short lead for boarding, disembarking and time on the pontoon.
• A canine life jacket if your dog is old, very small or an unreliable swimmer. It's not compulsory, but for breeds that float poorly (bulldogs, pugs) we seriously recommend it.
• Their favourite treat or toy: it helps enormously in making the dog associate the boat with something good.
• A spare towel and waste bags to leave everything as we found it.
• If your dog gets carsick, check with your vet beforehand: there is specific medication for canine motion sickness. In practice, with how calm the ría is, it's almost never needed.

Prices and how to book

The price is the same with or without a dog, no surcharges: €300 for a half day (4 hours) and €500 for a full day, skipper included and fuel billed separately according to the route's actual consumption. The boat — 8.5 metres long with a 2.65-metre beam, certified for 10 people — is limited to 6 guests plus the skipper so everyone travels with room to spare... including the passenger on four legs.

When to come? Any time the weather is good. Right now in autumn, with beach restrictions lifted, the water still warm after summer and the ría at its calmest, it's probably the best time of year for a boat trip with a dog. And if you want to round off the day with an Albariño on a dog-friendly terrace in Cambados or on the Illa, we'll tell you where.

Message us on WhatsApp at +34 685 74 24 20, tell us how many of you there are and what dog you're bringing (breed and size help us prepare the boat), and we'll confirm your date and route the same day. On the Ría de Arousa nobody stays ashore — not even the one with four paws.

Photos: schoschie — CC BY 2.0, via Flickr/Openverse; rawpixel.com — CC0; Luis Miguel Bugallo Sánchez (Lmbuga) — CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.