Boat Tour of Sancti Petri, the Old Fishing Town

Chiclana de la Frontera is one of the most popular towns to visit on the coast of Cádiz. Here you can enjoy virgin beaches, nature, history, and gastronomy all in one place. One of the most special spots in this area is Sancti Petri, which is the name of the town as well as a small island just off the shore.

If you go on a tour of Sancti Petri, you’ll be lucky enough to explore the Bay of Cádiz, the Costa de la Luz. Inside the Bay of Cádiz Natural Park, you’ll find salt lakes and caños (channels), which make up a unique natural landscape. The fauna, which includes flamingos, is another one of its most important elements. Imagine all of this against the backdrop of an incredible sunset. Are you ready to get to know Sancti Petri up close and personal?

Entorno de las marismas de Sancti Petri

Our tour of Sancti Petri begins in one of its most emblematic points: the village. The town originated with the Phoenicians, who in ancient times saw the potential of this strategic location. However, what Sancti Petri is really known for is its fishing industry. For many years, it was a leading fishing town, especially for tuna. However, in the mid-1970s tuna fishing declined and the place ended up beingabandoned. Itiscurrently in the process of recovery.

Today the town has a small fishing port, a marina, and a port for watersports. Alongside this active tourism section, you’ll also be able to enjoy the delicious local gastronomy on this tour of Sancti Petri. You’ll get to try local products such as fresh fish and shellfish. The town has a two-kilometer virgin beach that is of great ecological value.

During low tide, you can reach La Barrosa Beach from Sancti Petri. The two shores are separated by the Farallón de Laja Bermeja, one of the best-known beaches on this tour of Sancti Petri. It consists of eight kilometers of sand.

tour por sancti petri

But that’s not all; due to the strong winds in the area, impressive dunes are still being formed, which you can see on the beach. Alongside the sand you can take a swim in the crystal-clear water, which has earned it the Blue Flag distinction. Surfing and chiringuitos (snack shacks) are other attractions that this beach has to offer.

The trip doesn’t stop here. This tour of Sancti Petri couldn’t finish any other way than with a boat ride to the islet of the same name. The island is uninhabited, but it was once a sacred place for a cult to mythological deities. Several writings suggest that it originated during the Trojan War, and it is believed that the remains of the demigod Hercules were buried there.

In the 16th century, a castle was built (which can still be seen today) to protect the area from pirates.It withstood attacks during the Peninsular War and the second French blockade. Today it holds the status of Bien de Interés Cultural (Asset of Cultural Interest).

If you decide to take this tour of Sancti Petri, you won’t regret it. You’ll be immersed in stories about sailors, infinite horizons, and never-ending beaches.

Do you want to sign up for the tour of Sancti Petri?

The tour is given Monday through Friday and Sunday at 7:30pm. It lasts about an hour.

Text: Fátima González-Besada Gómez


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