</i>BILBAO –</i> <i>SUANCES</i>
</i>BILBAO –</i> <i>SUANCES</i>
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BILBAO – SUANCES

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Tour

06.–12.09.2024

BILBAO–SUANCES

Gitta Gaviota's favorite and our touring highlight for experienced paddlers: Our journey from the French-Spanish border near Irun to Galicia – in six summers. This is part 2 of the big adventure: From Bilbao to Suances. Our journey takes us along the gorgeous Cantabric coast.

DETAILS

Das Projekt "el viaje"
We would like to discover the entire Spanish north coast with you. From the French-Spanish border in the east, to the remote west, where the sea area "Biscay" and with it the Cantabrian Sea ends at Cabo Ortegal. This is “el viaje” – the journey. Our journey.

"El Viaje" is divided into six sections:

2024: Irun–Bilbao (Basque Country). From the French-Spanish border to the port of Bilbao (which we will not cross, however). Highlights: world-famous San Sebastian, the coastal towns and surfing paradises of Zarautz, Getaria and Zumaia, the flysch coasts of Deba and Barika, the waves of Mundaka and the Ria Urdaibai, green coastal forests and high mountains practically everywhere, pintxos in the harbor bars and of course the Cosmopolitan city Bilbao, the gateway to the Bay of Biscay...

2025: Bilbao–Suances (Cantabria I). The journey continues behind the port of Bilbao and the province of Cantabria soon begins. On the way there are the beautiful Castro Urdiales and Laredo with its huge Ria de Treto, and of course soon the sea kayaking paradise of Noja and Isla, with its fantastic surfing beaches, green rias and breathtaking cliffs. Shortly afterwards we pass the lively port city of Santander, the incredibly green Ria de Mogro, wide beaches and more dramatic cliffs and rocks until the end of this year's leg in Suances.

2026: Suances–Ribadesella (Cantabria II and eastern Asturias). Behind Suances begins the "wild west" of Cantabria, a mix of rugged cliffs and fantastic beaches that make every surfer's heart beat faster. This is followed by the coast between San Vincente de la Barqueira, Llanes and Ribadesella - Eastern Asturias, one of the most beautiful coasts in the world. Deep rias, high cliffs, a thousand caves and in the background the majestic peaks of the Picos de Europa…

2027: Ribadesella–Aviles (Asturias II). Our central Asturias stage begins in the world-famous, green ria of Ribadesella. The Picos are slowly running out and the landscape is becoming more open, but the mix of rugged cliffs and beaches remains. The highlight of this stage will undoubtedly be the Cabo de Peñas, just before Aviles: the northernmost cape of Asturias and one of the most exposed places of our entire trip!

2028: Aviles–Ribadeo (Asturias III). The west of Asturias also remains terrain for experienced paddlers. The extensive coastal forests that have accompanied us so often on our journey sometimes disappear for a while. Instead, the often medium-high cliff sections are overgrown with tall, windswept grass; Rocks and beaches alternate at very short intervals. The section ends in Ribadeo, right on the border between Asturias and Galicia, at the mouth of the huge Ria Eo.

2029: Ribadeo–Ortigueira (Galicia). The final stage! The further we advance towards the Rias Altas, the more wooded, rugged and wild the area becomes. This is Galicia – the most remote and wild part of Spain's northern coast. The highlight of our route will be the circumnavigation of Punta Estaca de Bares, the northernmost point of Spain. We then continue along the coast, which is initially open to the west, deep into the protected Ria de Ortigueira and to Cape Ortegal - the official end point of the Cantabrian Sea and our journey.
Programme Day 1
Day 1
Attention: This seven-day programme begins on Saturday. The reason for this is simple: we have a lot to do before we hit the water on Sunday. Packing, shopping, shuttling.
Programme Days 2–6
Will be published soon.
Programme Day 6
Day 7
Will be published soon.
More Info
Guide: Yuri
Participant Numbers: Minimum 3, Maximum 6
Languages: German and English

TYPICAL CONDITIONS

This is what you may hope for

Wetter
At the beginning of September, it's late summer in Cantabria. The tourist high season is over, but stable, warm weather can be expected. The water temperature in the Atlantic should normally be around 20°C.

Wind
The first weeks of September on the north coast of Spain are usually some of the calmest of the year. The chances of autumn storms hitting the Atlantic so early are rather slim. However, one thing is clear: we are in the Bay of Biscay, a generally rough sea area, and anything is possible.

Wellen
Northwest winds or storms far out in the Atlantic, somewhere between here and southern Greenland, can bring large, long-wave swells. Although the autumn storm season does not normally begin until around four weeks later, it is clear that swells must always be expected on the Biscay coast.

ACTIVITIES

This is what you may expect

Click on the pictures to learn more about the activities.

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Touring

Touring is the most classic form of sea kayaking. There are millions of different possible sea kayak tours and each one is different. And yet, in essence, it's always about the same thing: a journey by kayak. No matter whether your tour lasts a day, a week or six months - the goal and purpose is to paddle from A to B. The focus is on moving forward, discovering and enjoying nature.

We love touring. The freedom, the adventure, the wind and the waves, the endless sea and the salt crust on your skin. From one beach to the next, past islands, capes and harbours, from one camp to the next. One paddle stroke after another.
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Camping

The first thing that comes to mind for most people when they think of sea kayaking is adventure and camping in nature. It is certainly one of the most beautiful moments of our hobby when we lie in the bivouac bag and look at the starry sky after a long, fulfilling day on the water and a simple but good dinner. Meritocracy, open-plan offices and consumption madness feel like light years away. You have everything you need and you are content and happy.

Unfortunately, in our increasingly crowded world, this is no longer possible everywhere. But where it is accepted and doesn't bother anyone, we also sleep in the great outdoors on our camping tours, with a tent or bivouac bag. Iron rules apply: We are only guests. Tents are only put up when it gets dark (if at all) and packed up again first thing in the morning. We don't make any noise or fire and of course we don't leave any rubbish or traces behind. We pack up whatever plastic, etc. we find lying around, regardless of whether it is ours or not. We don't leave a bivouac site as we found it, but cleaner.

And of course: If it is possible, or if bivouacing is strictly forbidden, we are not above spending the night on campsites. A warm shower and a toilet also have their appeal!
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Discover Europe's Most Beautiful Coastlines With Us

There are paddlers for whom sea kayaking primarily means making distance. Often these people paddle purposefully in a straight line past the most beautiful coasts – and overlook all the small and large things that there are to discover. So many beautiful things, so many incredible things, so many spontaneous adventures – if you take the time for them. That's exactly what we mean by "exploring the coast": taking advantage of every opportunity for experiences and fascinating discoveries. The lines between “touring” and “play” blur depending on what presents itself to us. Depending on the tide, swell, wind and weather, a coastline is always different.

We don't measure the success of a paddle-day in kilometers, but in the number of "Wows"! And believe us: there are a lot of them where we go sea kayaking with you.
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What is this?
What is this?

Our Skill-o-meter is intended to give you a quick, rough guide to the approximate level of experience and paddling skills we require to take part in this programme.

It says NOTHING about what conditions we will encounter on site.

To find out exactly what skills we expect from you to take part in this programme, please be sure to read the specifications below ("What we expect from you").

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SKILLS

This is what we expect from you

You can swim

Minimum three weeks experience on the sea

Experience in F5 winds and waves of over 1 meter

Launching and landing on a suitable beach in waves of ca. 1m

When capsized, you can perform a self-rescue or roll

Experience with more difficult partner rescues in dynamic conditions

You can tow another paddler

Daily distances of roughly 20–25 km are okay for you

You've already done multi-day trips with a loaded kayak

SAFETY PARAMETERS

This is what you can rely on

The sea does what it does. With our safety parameters we determine the maximum environmental conditions up to which we will go on the water* during this programme:
Wind
Offshore wind:
  • Up to 21 knots (wind force 5) in areas with predominantly steep banks that offer enough protection
  • Up to 15 knots (wind force 4) in areas with predominantly flat shorelines that offer insufficient protection

Onshore wind:
  • Up to 15 knots (wind force 4) in areas with predominantly steep, rocky shores
  • Up to 21 knots (wind force 5) in areas with flat, sandy shores with easy landing options
Waves
  • Swell of up to 1m and maximum 12 sec. period in areas with predominantly rocky shores
  • Swell of up to 1.5m and a maximum of 12 sec. period in areas with predominantly sandy, flat shores that provide safe landing
The sea weather report or swell forecast serves as the basis for assessment. In the case of short, steep wind waves, cross seas, etc., the situation is assessed individually.
If it is not possible to find these (or easier) conditions in our paddling area, we will stay on land. Other safety parameters (extreme gusts, rapidly falling air pressure, thunderstorms, etc.) also apply.

* For more information on this topic, see our FAQs

EVERYTHING ELSE

This is what you need to organise by yourself

For all of our programs, arrival and departure as well as all transport and on-site accommodation are the responsibility of the participants. This means that you have to take care of these things yourself. Below you will find all the information you need:
Meeting point & arrival
GETTING THERE

Meeting point:
Will be published soon.


Time:
Please be sure to arrive at our meeting point the day before (Friday, September 5th)! The time doesn't matter, as long as you have enough time to prepare yourself and your equipment for an early tour start the next morning.

Getting there:
The best way is by car (carpool) via Bordeaux to Bilbao. Or fly to Bilbao, one of Spain's major airports with good connections.
Accommodation
This is a camping trip, during which we will stay in a different location every night. Reservations are usually not required for camping on the trip.

You have to cover your own accommodation costs. This is not a package tour.
Rations
In all Salty Cosmos programmes, food and drinks are generally the responsibility of the participants. Please consider whether you would like to cook for yourself or eat in a privately organised communal group kitchen.
Insurance
Accident insurance, travel health insurance, rescue and recovery insurance
In all Salty Cosmos programs, accident insurance, travel health insurance and rescue and recovery insurance are the responsibility of the participants. Please take care of these things early.

Cancellation cost insurance
Please take out cancellation insurance when you complete your booking. If you were to become sick ahead of the programme, it would be a pity if you were not only missing out, but also losing money.

More questions? See our FAQs

This is what Gitta Gaviota says

This trip is a true dream – although certainly only for people who know what it means to be on the Atlantic. That's fine with me, I love adventure more than anything. Of course I think the idea of traveling the entire coast from the Basque Country to Galicia with you is great. Although it would probably take me a lot less than six summers to do this route alone. But no matter, I have developed a lot of understanding for people's needs in my life and I have time. The main thing is that we are out and about and enjoying the sea, the rocks and the true luxury in life: freedom.

Normal price
1250 CHF*

Price including use of our gear

This price includes a kayak, paddle and all the gear you need for participating. You need to order this gear separately after booking, ahead the programme.

Arrival and departure, accommodation and meals are the responsibility of the participants and are therefore not included in the price.

Reduced Price
1100 CHF*

Price with your own material

Price if you participate with your own equipment. You are responsible for bringing your kayak and equipment and, if necessary, transporting them during the programme.

Arrival and departure, accommodation and meals are the responsibility of the participants and are therefore not included in the price.

*Net price plus Spanish VAT (21%)

BOOK NOW
BOOK NOW
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