The Cíes Islands in winter: yes, you can go

Many people assume the Cíes shut down once summer ends. Not so: there are boats all year. What changes is how you visit — and for many, for the better.

The rule: guided groups only

From 1 October to 14 May visiting on your own is not allowed. The ticket then includes a one-hour visit with an official guide, who travels with you from the port and, on arrival, points out the main routes and explains the wildlife, plants and history. After that hour, the day is yours.

The guide is accredited by the National Park and cannot lead groups larger than 25. The visitor quota drops to 250-450 a day — against 1,600-1,800 in summer. In other words: the islands almost empty.

The exception: Easter

Easter behaves like high season: no guided visit is included and you must get the permit yourself, as in summer. It covers the ten days from the Friday before the holy week to Easter Sunday.

Winter timetables

From Vigo, based on the booking calendar checked in August 2026:

There was also no service on the first three days of January 2027 when checked. The winter calendar is published in batches and changes: confirm when booking.

Is it worth it?

Depends what you are going for. To swim, no: the water is cold even in July. For the landscape, the silence and the cliffs, winter is probably the best time — and it is cheaper too (€24 against €27.50), with no fight for the quota. The risk is the sea: in winter a storm can cancel the crossing.