Ons Island

Ons Island and archipelago
Ons Island
Geography
Coordinates	42°22′52″N 8°55′59″W / 42.381°N 8.933°W / 42.381; -8.933
Area	4.458 km2 (1.721 sq mi)
Length	6 km (3.7 mi)
Width	1.5 km (0.93 mi)
Highest elevation	128 m (420 ft)
Administration
Spain
Autonomous community	Galicia
Province	Pontevedra
Municipality	Bueu
Demographics
Population	81 hab. (2013)

The Ons Island (Galician: Illa de Ons; Spanish: Isla de Ons) is the main island of a small archipelago in the Ria de Pontevedra in Galicia, Spain. Ons belongs administratively to the municipality of Bueu, which has a regular ferry boat connection to the island, as have the mainland towns of Portonovo, Sanxenxo, Marín and Aldán. In 2020, lightning due to Subtropical Storm Alpha started a forest fire.^[1]

Description

Its beaches are crystal clear and there are several routes that lead to the lighthouse, or to the Buraco do Inferno. The island has the only sustainable campsite in Galicia, with camping, cabin rental and glamping services.^[2]

Melide beach is located in the north of the island. It was one of the first nudist beaches in Galicia and can be reached by a two-kilometre path from the island's town centre.^[3]

Conservation

In 2001 the European Union designated Ons a Special Protection Area for bird-life.

In 2002, along with several other archipelagos off the Pontevedra coast, Ons became part of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park.

Sights