The Ons Archipelago boasts five beautiful, unspoilt sand beaches. Half are on the east side of Ons Island, and from north to south are Melide (the largest and nudist), Dornas (to the north of the pier), Area dos Cans (the most central and crowded), Canexol (below the castro and the cemetery) and Pereiró (the southernmost). On the western side—facing the Atlantic—, you can find the pebbly sand beaches of Fontiñas and Liñeiro. Fedorento Beach can be found to the south and the beaches of Onza Norte and Onza Sur are on the archipelago’s northernmost islet.
Melide Beach is located in the north of Ons Island and is considered to be the most gorgeous beach on the archipelago. An immense beach in an idyllic setting, it has magnificent views of the Ría de Pontevedra. Known as a nudist beach, this sandy beach is sheltered from the wind and has a rectilinear shape, with very fine white sand and calm, crystal-clear (albeit cold) waters. It’s some distance away from the main hub and the area with accommodation and restaurants, but can also be reached by private boat, for which an anchoring permit must be requested beforehand.
Area dos Cans is the most crowded beach on Ons Island, as it’s right behind the village of O Curro, on the south side of the As Dornas pier. At low tide, you can walk to Laxe dos Cregos, a human-shaped tomb shrouded in legend. It’s a fine white sand beach sheltered from the wind with calm, crystal-clear waters that are refreshingly cold. If you go along the path that runs parallel to the coast, after about 200 metres, you’ll find a wooden ramp that goes down to the sand beach. It’s also possible to drop anchor here with a private boat.
Canexol Beach is beside the village with the same name, and you can get there by going down a slope that starts from the road which comes from the village of O Curro. It faces the Ría de Pontevedra and the Ría de Aldán. It’s a rectilinear beach, with fine white sand, and is sheltered from the wind by the rocks around it, although it may have moderate swells. It’s also possible to drop anchor here with a private boat.
As Dornas Beach is very central, as it is located beside the pier on Ons Island, to the north of it. It’s more like an accessible cove in a rectilinear shape, with little wind, coarse white sand, calm, crystal-clear (albeit cold) waters, and many rocks. From there, you can observe the fauna of the Ría de Pontevedra, particularly the seabirds, as well as see some dornas (fishing boats). This sand beach is right beside the area with bars, and it’s also possible to drop anchor here with a private boat.
Pereiró Beach is the beach furthest south on the east side of Ons Island. It’s isolated from the centre of the island—which is about 20 minutes away—below the village with the same name. It’s cove that is sheltered by the rocks around it, with fine white and moderate swells. What it does have are spectacular views of the Ría de Pontevedra and the Ría de Aldán, which can also be enjoyed from an anchored boat.
