Swimming in the Sea at Finisterre

Deleted member 73892 · Oct 10, 2019

When there this week, I asked a local man for the best way to the west beach. He reacted strongly by telling me not to swim there, that the currents are particularly dangerous and that a young man was recently drowned there, and the fishermen will tell you the same. The currents are dangerous on all sides of the town. They know their waters and sea better than anyone. So take heed and enjoy the view and a knee-deep paddle at the most. A young pilgrim told me they were going to go and swim there, so I passed on the warning. Please do the same. The beach is fantastic for sun bathing, the view and a picnic. Enjoy.
Buen Camino. Keith

Vacajoe · Oct 10, 2019

There’s also a fairly large sign there saying the same thing IN ENGLISH! Sadly, folks tend to not believe in it. The crescent beach on the protected eastern side of the cape is excellent for swimming, though.

rappahannock_rev · Oct 10, 2019

Sorry, sun-and-surf fans! I saw some darn nasty stuff dumped into the sea while living aboard US Navy warships in both the Atlantic and the Med back in the '70s, and having seen that I wouldn't recommend putting even your tiniest toe in the sea - anywhere. Wouldn't be prudent.

And be careful what seafood you eat, for that matter.

Camino Chrissy · Oct 10, 2019

Vacajoe said:
There’s also a fairly large sign there saying the same thing IN ENGLISH! Sadly, folks tend to not believe in it. The crescent beach on the protected eastern side of the cape is excellent for swimming, though.

The eastern beach is lovely. My son swam there as I watched from the warm rocks in May, but the water was chilly.

oursonpolaire · Oct 10, 2019

I remember speaking with a guardia civil on the del Norte who was a diver in a maritime search and rescue team or, as she said they often described themselves as search and recover.

henrythedog · Oct 10, 2019

rappahannock_rev said:
Sorry, sun-and-surf fans! I saw some darn nasty stuff dumped into the sea while living aboard US Navy warships in both the Atlantic and the Med back in the '70s, and having seen that I wouldn't recommend putting even your tiniest toe in the sea - anywhere. Wouldn't be prudent.

And be careful what seafood you eat, for that matter.

When you know what prawns like to eat, it changes your outlook on seafood.

Happily old age and alcohol mean I forget these things after a few days, and I’m not dead yet.

natefaith · Oct 10, 2019

Redhead Keith said:
When there this week, I asked a local man for the best way to the west beach. He reacted strongly by telling me not to swim there, that the currents are particularly dangerous and that a young man was recently drowned there, and the fishermen will tell you the same. The currents are dangerous on all sides of the town. They know their waters and sea better than anyone. So take heed and enjoy the view and a knee-deep paddle at the most. A young pilgrim told me they were going to go and swim there, so I passed on the warning. Please do the same. The beach is fantastic for sun bathing, the view and a picnic. Enjoy.
Buen Camino. Keith

Good to know!

naplesdon · Oct 10, 2019

Even in Biarritz I never go deeper than my knees. Rip tides are unpredictable and unless you have first had knowledge about the idiosyncrasies of the beach don't risk an accident.

Deleted member 73892 · Oct 11, 2019

Camino Chrissy said:
The eastern beach is lovely. My son swam there as I watched from the warm rocks in May, but the water was chilly.

Hi Chrissy - the man I spoke to was quite clear and adamant that ALL beaches, east and west, are dangerous. They have rip tides that are fierce and give you little chance. I would recommend that people ask locals about this before swimming, they know their tides and sea better than anyone. I took one look at the west beach waves and current and could see immediately that it was steep and dangerous, classic rip-tide conditions.
The sea is unforgiving and remorseless, powerful and seductive. Ask and heed the locals at all times.
Best wishes. Keith

Camino Chrissy · Oct 11, 2019

I love looking out at both beautiful beaches, so lovely. I'm glad we have not been there in the heat of summer, compelled to swim.. We will be coming again in later May 2020...we will heed your warnings. Thank you.

martin1ws · Oct 11, 2019

Redhead Keith said:
Hi Chrissy - the man I spoke to was quite clear and adamant that ALL beaches, east and west, are dangerous. They have rip tides that are fierce and give you little chance....

It depends on which eastern beaches ( and weather, time of the year, swimming skill,...)...
The eastern beaches near to the lighthouse are still dangerous, the sand beach in the 'north/east' of Fisterra is rather safe... at the beginning of September 2018 I saw many people who where swimming there...

(red: dangerous; green: ok)

Vacajoe · Oct 11, 2019

Yes, the green area. Heavily used by locals and advertised as a swimming beach. But ALWAYS watch the surf and swim to your ability

Deleted member 73892 · Oct 11, 2019

martin1ws said:
It depends on which eastern beaches ( and weather, swimming skill,...)...
The eastern beaches near to the lighthouse are still dangerous, the sand beach in the 'north/east' of Fisterra is rather safe... in Septembe 2018 I saw many people who where swimming there...

(red: dangerous; green: ok)

View attachment 65683

That's a great map of the zones. The man I spoke to made it clear that the green zone referred to was also dangerous. Perhaps it was the time of year - tides, weather, general conditions (early October). But he was clear about it and seemed to know his stuff. The green zone must have been safe in September - I'm sure they would have warned people if it had been dangerous. Always good to ask and check.

elleley · Oct 11, 2019

Please, everyone, take heed of this warning. It was a young Irish pilgrim who drowned there in the past couple of weeks while I was in Santiago. I have been drawn into a rip tide while just standing on a beach in California and I am a strong swimmer! I was saved by a miracle (in the form of a brave Canadian "senior" hockey goalie) so it was not my time, but I am very cautious now. Enjoy and stay safe!

Deleted member 73892 · Oct 12, 2019

elleley said:
Please, everyone, take heed of this warning. It was a young Irish pilgrim who drowned there in the past couple of weeks while I was in Santiago. I have been drawn into a rip tide while just standing on a beach in California and I am a strong swimmer! I was saved by a miracle (in the form of a brave Canadian "senior" hockey goalie) so it was not my time, but I am very cautious now. Enjoy and stay safe!

Hi elleley - yes, not only must it have been a terrifying experience for you, but a miracle that you were saved. Rip tides and undercurrents are as good as invisible to everyone but those who live and work by their sea. I read only yesterday of a young english couple who were tragically taken by undercurrents in Portugal. You have no chance, normally. The man who saved you must be extraordinarily brave and strong, and such people are not always there to help. So I hope our fellow pilgrims heed your advice and that of knowledgable local people, and further tragedies can be avoided.
Best wishes. Keith
PS aren't the Salvador and Primitivo fantastic!

Camino Chrissy · Oct 12, 2019

Swimming tragedies are so very sad because are often preventable...whether from a pool, river, lake or ocean.

Michael Mattalo · Oct 12, 2019

Redhead Keith said:
When there this week, I asked a local man for the best way to the west beach. He reacted strongly by telling me not to swim there, that the currents are particularly dangerous and that a young man was recently drowned there, and the fishermen will tell you the same. The currents are dangerous on all sides of the town. They know their waters and sea better than anyone. So take heed and enjoy the view and a knee-deep paddle at the most. A young pilgrim told me they were going to go and swim there, so I passed on the warning. Please do the same. The beach is fantastic for sun bathing, the view and a picnic. Enjoy.
Buen Camino. Keith

My wife and I were in Finisterre the night the Irish man was swept out. He too did not heed the warnings and paid the price with his life. I am dismayed how many people put their life at risk to take a better selfie or just think they are invincible.!i believe the Camino makes us better people ... but not necessarily smarter. Be safe and Buen Camino.

MariaSP · Oct 12, 2019

The area is called Costa da Morte (Coast of Death) for a reason. If the locals tell you not to swim, even is the "safe" beaches, the best thing you can do is follow their advice. They know better. There are certain times of the year when the tides are stronger than usual and even relatively calm and quiet beaches can get dangerous.

elleley · Oct 12, 2019

Redhead Keith said:
Hi elleley - yes, not only must it have been a terrifying experience for you, but a miracle that you were saved. Rip tides and undercurrents are as good as invisible to everyone but those who live and work by their sea. I read only yesterday of a young english couple who were tragically taken by undercurrents in Portugal. You have no chance, normally. The man who saved you must be extraordinarily brave and strong, and such people are not always there to help. So I hope our fellow pilgrims heed your advice and that of knowledgable local people, and further tragedies can be avoided.
Best wishes. Keith
PS aren't the Salvador and Primitivo fantastic!

Yes, Keith, I fell in love with Austurias!

Deleted member 73892 · Oct 12, 2019

MariaSP said:
The area is called Costa da Morte (Coast of Death) for a reason. If the locals tell you not to swim, even is the "safe" beaches, the best thing you can do is follow their advice. They know better. There are certain times of the year when the tides are stronger than usual and even relatively calm and quiet beaches can get dangerous.

Hola MariaSP - that seems to be quite appropriate, 'Coast of Death'. I'm sure it must also refer to the danger to boats and ships that rocky peninsular threatens. Sailors would certainly have to know the safe, deep channels through which to navigate, and where dangerous rocks are hidden too close to the surface. As you reiterate, local knowledge must never be ignored.
Gracias. Keith.

Deleted member 73892 · Oct 12, 2019

elleley said:
Yes, Keith, I fell in love with Austurias!

Yes, me too. Its awesome.

andylm65 · Oct 12, 2019

martin1ws said:
It depends on which eastern beaches ( and weather, time of the year, swimming skill,...)...
The eastern beaches near to the lighthouse are still dangerous, the sand beach in the 'north/east' of Fisterra is rather safe... at the beginning of September 2018 I saw many people who where swimming there...

(red: dangerous; green: ok)

View attachment 65683

I only had the opportunity to sleep on that beach! Next time I will swim!

Josefus · Dec 2, 2019

I think the eastern beaches are quite safe. I´ve been swimming there several times without any problem. Have a look on the tidal calender (or ask a local) and avoid times when the tide goes out.

Nezabudka · Sunday at 8:21 PM

Hi all, At this stage looks like we are going to finish in SdC on Friday, our flight home is only Monday night. The weather forecast doesnt look to be promising - showers over the whole weekend...

AnneLondon · Apr 20, 2024

Hi all We are walking the reverse Camino from Muxia to Santiago via Fisterra. Any tips or information to help us on our way?

Swimming in the Sea at Finisterre

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