Por Redaccion 
Boat trips on the Ria return with the addition of guided visits to Espacio Portus on Wednesdays
June 11, 2025
The summer season brings back boat trips on the Ria de Avilés, solidifying one of the region’s main tourist attractions. This year, there is a new feature compared to previous editions: a special trip every Wednesday that includes a guided tour of Espacio Portus and the Underwater Cannons Interpretation Center of Avilés.
The boat trips, with onboard tourist information staff explaining the route, will run from Tuesday to Sunday (no service on Mondays) from June 13 to September 15. Except for Wednesdays, where the special trip will take place, the one-hour journey will cover the stretch of the Ria walk to the Avilés lighthouse, round trip, weather permitting.
There will be five trips per day, with a maximum capacity of 22 passengers aged 4 and above. Departures will be from the new pier at the Sailing School, at the North end of the Manuel Ponga Santamarta promenade of the marina, at 12:00, 13:15 in the mornings, and 17:00, 18:05, and 19:10 in the afternoons.
On Wednesdays, for the trips including the visit to Espacio Portus, departure times will be 10:30 and 11:30 in the mornings, and 16:30 and 17:30 in the afternoons.
Approximately 400 trips are planned for the entire summer, with the possibility of more depending on demand and weather conditions. The cost of the trips is 8 euros per person, except on Wednesdays when it includes the visit to Espacio Portus and the Underwater Cannons Interpretation Center, priced at 12 euros per passenger.
The trips will be staffed by four people provided by the NAVEGASTUR company: a director, a captain, a tour guide, and a receptionist at the Passenger Service Center, with a dedicated website: www.paseosbarcoaviles.es.
The tour guide, holding a degree in Tourism and a sailor’s title, will provide passengers with information about the historical context of the Ria de Avilés, its significance within the Atlantic Arc, and its connection to industry, the Niemeyer Center, and other natural spaces like the Avilés Canyon and Zeluán Bird Observatory.
Visits to Espacio Portus and the Underwater Cannons Interpretation Center of Avilés will be guided by the staff responsible for these museums, which are attracting more visitors. The Underwater Cannons Interpretation Center of Avilés uses artistic representation of scientific content to showcase one of the most unique and lesser-known places on the Cantabrian coast: the Great Chasm of Avilés.
This year, the Port of Avilés, along with the Avilés Region Consortium, is contributing to the financing of guided maritime trips. This initiative not only boosts tourism growth and enhances the city’s appeal to visitors but also explores port areas that are essential to the city and region’s development.
Since its inception in 2022, the majority of passengers on the boat trips have been from the region and the rest of Asturias, accounting for 55% of passengers, with the remaining 45% being national and international visitors.
The total number of passengers who have enjoyed boat trips on the Avilés estuary in previous years has reached 11,260. In 2022, as a pilot project lasting approximately a month, 1,268 people used the service. In 2023 and 2024, with a four-month season each, 4,893 and 5,099 passengers respectively.
This initiative of boat trips on the Ria de Avilés is part of the Sustainability axis of the tourism plan developed by the Avilés Region Consortium, with the collaboration, support, and co-financing from the Asturias government and the Ministry of Industry and Tourism of the Spanish government. This particular project has involved an investment of 135,000 euros over four years by the Consortium.
Other actions under the Sustainability axis include the Trasona Green Ring, Corvera, improvements in the Sollovio area, Illas, renovation of the North Path in Castrillón, and the beautification of the Historic District of Avilés, including the restoration of the medieval wall currently under construction.
FUENTE