Countdown Begins for the 2025 Festival Azul: Vigo Bay Celebrates the Sea with Four Days of Unique Experiences

Vigo Bay will once again take center stage in celebrating Galicia's maritime identity with Festival Azul 2025, taking place from Thursday, May 22 to Sunday, May 25. Organized by the Rías Baixas Nautical Cluster Association, the event is supported by the Regional Ministry of the Sea, the General Secretariat for Sports, the Pontevedra Provincial Council, the Port Authority of Vigo, and Abanca, with special collaboration from Gadis and Anfaco.

The official presentation was held this morning in Vigo with the participation of Celso González, President of the Rías Baixas Nautical Cluster; Carlos Botana, President of the Port Authority of Vigo; Luisa Sánchez, Vice President of the Pontevedra Provincial Council; Daniel Benavides from the General Secretariat for Sports; Ana Ortiz, Regional Delegate of the Xunta in Vigo; and the Regional Minister of the Sea, Alfonso Villares.

Minister Villares emphasized that Galicia has over 1,600 km of coastline, three maritime provinces, 16 estuaries, about 80 coastal municipalities, and more than half of the Galician population living in these areas. This coastline, he said, holds an invaluable cultural, natural, and historical heritage, closely linked to the identity of the community and presenting significant potential for nautical tourism.

He also highlighted the strength of the region’s port network, with 128 ports—122 of them managed by the regional government—accommodating diverse activities including fishing, sports, commerce, and passenger services. The public body Portos de Galicia directly manages 42 of the 73 recreational ports, offering 10,700 moorings with an average occupancy of over 80%. In 2024 alone, more than 5,800 foreign vessels docked in these facilities, generating over €6.2 million in economic activity—figures that reflect the sector’s capacity to generate both wealth and employment.

A Festival for Everyone

Festival Azul 2025 features a rich and diverse schedule designed to bring maritime culture closer to the public. Activities include beginner sessions in surfing, sailing, and kayaking, boat tours along Vigo Bay, visits to traditional vessels, interpretive routes, marine biodiversity workshops, and ocean literacy sessions aimed at school groups.

Additional activities include diving, paddle surfing, wakeboarding, exhibitions, local product showcookings, and meetups with maritime and fishing industry professionals. The program offers specific sessions for schools and associations, reinforcing the festival's commitment to youth education and environmental awareness.

New This Year: Nautical Photography Contest

A new feature this year is an amateur nautical photography contest. Participants are invited to submit photos capturing themes such as the human relationship with the sea, marine biodiversity, coastal tourism, or water sports. The contest will award three winners, announced on Sunday, May 25. The top two prizes will include a cash award, while the third-place winner will receive a gift pack of preserved seafood products. The full contest rules are available on the association’s website.

During the presentation, Celso González, president of the association, highlighted that “Festival Azul is a meeting point between the sea and society. Our goal is to showcase everything the marine environment has to offer in terms of culture, sports, health, and economic development.”

Carlos Botana, President of the Port Authority of Vigo, praised the continuity and growth of the initiative: “This is already the 5th edition of the festival, and we’re proud to bring the sea and nautical activities closer to the public—especially children—who we also teach about the value of sports and environmental awareness in Vigo Bay.”

Luisa Sánchez emphasized the successful transformation of “Semana Azul” into a full-fledged festival, describing it as “a more dynamic and accessible format for a broader audience, reinforcing the message that the sea is a place of culture, leisure, and opportunity.” She also noted the unique value of Vigo Bay, with its natural and scenic beauty and strategic potential for sustainable economic development.

Institutional Collaboration and Community Involvement

Beyond the main sponsors and partners, Festival Azul 2025 is supported by a wide network of organizations from the nautical and maritime sectors, including: Real Club Náutico de Vigo, Fundación Traslatio, Bluscus, Prado Surf, Federación Galega de Piragüismo, Naviera Nabia, Surf Vigo, CEMMA, Wake & Dive, Mergullo, 13 Grados, Cabo do Mar, Club Olívico, and the O Cerco de Cangas Netmakers Association, among others.

Registration Now Open

Those interested in participating can view the full schedule and register through the Rías Baixas Nautical Cluster Association website (https://www.ariven.es) and social media (Instagram: @clusternautico.riasbaixas). Many activities have limited capacity, so early registration is strongly recommended.