Ferry from Caminha, Portugal to A Guarda, Spain?

[paulmlucas]

I understand that the Ferry is not operating currently. Does anyone have current information? Is there plans for it to begin operating soon?

 

[Tincatinker]

Whence did you gain that understanding? I can see nothing on the Caminha website to suggest the ferry is not running as normal.

 

[paulmlucas]

Google maps noted that the ferry was not running. The Rome2Rio website also said the ferry was temporarily suspended. Hopefully, my info is incorrect.

 

[woody66]

If it's running great; if its not get a 5 euro water taxi!
Going over in a small boat added to the journey and was fun.
Boatman called at Arca Nova Guest House and Hostal around 9 am took us to the boat in his van.
Woody

 

[NadineK]

It was not running- at all- as of last week. But getting the ride over in a small boat was easy and fun! You can go to where the ferry usually departs and someone in the café will call the 'taxi boat' guy for you, and he'll come and pick you up to take you to the dock to catch the boat. 6 euros.

 

[Vince Rollason]

I understand that the Ferry is not operating currently. Does anyone have current information? Is there plans for it to begin operating soon?

I understand that the Ferry is not operating currently. Does anyone have current information? Is there plans for it to begin operating soon?

Hi. Paul. As you approach Caminha there is an option to go through a tunnel into Caminha towards the ferry or continue to follow the coast. If you follow the coast you arrive at the mouth of the river near two cafes. Phone this guy as you approach and he will come down and ferry you across for 5 euros. He usually wants there to be 4 or 5 of you. It's a bit of a hairy trip and he literally drops you up the beach on the A Guarda side throws you your pack and heads back. It's quite an experience.
Buen Camino
Vince

 

[paulmlucas]

Woody, Nadine and Vince,

Great feedback! It sounds like the ‘taxi boat’ is even more fun than the regular ferry. I am looking forward to it.

Cheers

 

[Pat Schofield]

Found this info; have not verified:

Good news for pilgrims coming up the coast. The iffy service of the Santa Rita has been replaced by a new agreement between Galicia and Portugal, called Xacobeo Transfer.

There are now two new boats to ferry pilgrims and locals from one country to another, and starting in July one of them will be electric which I imagine will make for a nice quiet ride. The service is daily, so Monday pilgrims can now cross too!

This will make onward pilgrimage via Mougas, Bayona, and Vigo much more reliable. The service is 6€ and takes 20 minutes. Bookable online here:

Nauticdestination.com​

Descúbre tu próximo destino

www.nauticdestination.com

 

[mstugart]

Great information here. If anyone uses the new ferry service, please come back here and post about the experience!

Also, I read another thread from someone last year who couldn't find a water taxi on a Sunday. Has anyone taken the water taxi on Sunday?

 

[Pat Schofield]

Great information here. If anyone uses the new ferry service, please come back here and post about the experience!

Also, I read another thread from someone last year who couldn't find a water taxi on a Sunday. Has anyone taken the water taxi on Sunday?

We did not take that boat but another peregrina did. The boat company emailed me that it ran from 8:30 am Spain time to 7:30 pm daily once per hour on the half hour. It leaves from the old ferry boat / sporting club location and drops off in A Guarda not on the beach as the taxi boat does. Not a car ferry. We were incorrectly told by the tourist center in Viana do Castelo that the boat was not running but it is in fact an option as our friend took it. The cost is 6 euros. The skipper’s phone number is +34 622 39 56 36

 

[HollyMc]

Thank you for this great information. Is there any sort of immigration check when you cross from Caminha into A Guarda in this way (passport, covid checks, etc.)? We really just want to go for the day to Castro de Santa Trega and would rather skip the hassle of typical border crossings if possible.

 

[paulmlucas]

Thank you for this great information. Is there any sort of immigration check when you cross from Caminha into A Guarda in this way (passport, covid checks, etc.)? We really just want to go for the day to Castro de Santa Trega and would rather skip the hassle of typical border crossings if possible.

No immigration checks when you arrive in A Guarda.

 

[Xacobeo Transfer]

I understand that the Ferry is not operating currently. Does anyone have current information? Is there plans for it to begin operating soon?

Paul, you can book at xacobeotransfer.com