Areoso Island — the so-called “Galician Caribbean”, right in the Ría de Arousa — is a protected natural area. That is why, to land and walk on the sand, you need an authorization from the Xunta de Galicia. This guide explains, simply, what the permit is, when it is required and how to get it step by step. And at the end, how we process it for you, free, when you book your trip.
Do I really need a permit to visit Areoso?
To land on the islet, yes. Access is regulated to protect its fragile dune system and heritage, so the number of daily visitors is limited and nominal.
An important nuance: the authorization is free for everyone. It is not something “only LEBBO has” — anyone can request it. What changes with us is that we take the paperwork and the waiting off your hands.
- Required to land and set foot on the islet.
- Personal and non-transferable: issued in each visitor's name.
- Spots are limited, especially in high season.
When is it required?
The authorization is mandatory in high season: Easter week and from 15 May to 30 September. During the rest of the year access is also regulated, subject to quotas and the conditions of the protected area.
In summer and on long weekends spots go fast, so it is best to sort the permit as early as possible.
How to get it yourself, step by step
If you want to handle it on your own, the official process is done on the Xunta portal:
- Go to the official portal areoso.xunta.gal.
- Choose the day and time slot with available spots.
- Fill in the details of each person who will land.
- Confirm the request and keep your authorization for the day of the visit.
The easy way: we handle it for free when you book
This is our advantage. On most sites you have to get the permit yourself, wait, and then book the kayak or boat separately. With LEBBO it all goes together: you book your trip and we process your Xunta authorization for you, automatically and at no extra cost. You get instant confirmation, without using the government portal and without waiting.
We are the only platform integrated with the Xunta for this. And if you prefer to manage the permit yourself, you can — we will show you the steps.
Practical details of the kayak trip to Areoso
- Departure: Praia de Espiñeiro (A Illa de Arousa).
- Duration: about 4 hours.
- Departure slots: 09:00, 13:00 and 17:00 (Xunta time slots).
- From €30 for a single kayak (€50 double); live price and availability on the activity page.
- Xunta permit included and instant confirmation.
Before you go: rules of the protected area
- No camping or overnight stays.
- No services (no toilets, no drinking water): bring what you need.
- Take all your litter with you.
- Respect dunes, vegetation and archaeological zones.