Estelas Islands, special area of conservation in Galicia, Spain
The Estelas Islands are a small group of rocky islands off the coast of Panxón in Nigrán, consisting of two main islands named Estela de Dentro and Estela de Fuera. They are flat and covered year-round with green vegetation, surrounded by dangerous reefs that make navigation difficult.
The islands were used by fishermen over centuries as resting places and equipment storage. In the 1970s, a large African ship sank in a storm in the surrounding waters and became part of local memory.
The islands hold significance in local fishing culture as a natural reference point of the coast. They represent today the value that residents place on protecting untamed nature and their role as a wild piece of sea that shapes the region's identity.
The islands are best observed from the mainland or by boat, as the rocky waters make anchoring and landing difficult. Visitors should bring appropriate gear and follow conservation rules to avoid disturbing wildlife.
Although the islands appear small and uninhabited, they are a winter resting place for about one hundred thousand migratory birds passing through on their journey north. This bird migration makes them an important spot for birdwatchers and nature lovers.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
