Ons Island

{{Short description|Island in Pontevedra province, Spain}} {{Infobox islands | name = Ons Island | image_name = Mapa das Illas Ons.png | image_caption = Map of Ons Island and archipelago | image_size = 280px | map = Spain | coordinates = {{coord|42.381|N|8.933|W|display=inline, title|source:eswiki}} | location = Atlantic Ocean | area_km2 = 4.458 | length_km = 6 | width_km = 1.5 | elevation_m = 128 | country = Spain | country_admin_divisions_title = Autonomous community | country_admin_divisions = Galicia | country_admin_divisions_title_1 = Province | country_admin_divisions_1 = Pontevedra | country_admin_divisions_title_2 = Municipality | country_admin_divisions_2 = Bueu | population = 63 hab. | population_as_of = 2021 }}

The '''Ons Island''' ({{langx|gl|Illa de Ons}}; {{langx|es|Isla de Ons}}) is part of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park. Situated in the Pontevedra estuary, it is celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes, rich gastronomy, and cultural significance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ons Island, Galicia, an atlantic jewel {{!}} Mar de Ons |url=https://www.mardeons.es/en/ons-island/ |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=www.mardeons.es}}</ref> Ons belongs administratively to the municipality of Bueu, which has a regular ferry boat connection to the island.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Archipiélago de Ons {{!}} Parque Nacional marítimo-terrestre de las Islas Atlánticas de Galicia |url=https://illasatlanticas.gal/es/visita-el-parque/visita-ons |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=illasatlanticas.gal |language=es}}</ref>

== Description == The Ons island features a mostly flat terrain, with several plateaus covered in heath and gorse. Its highest point, Alto do Cucorno, reaches 128 meters above sea level and is located near the lighthouse, approximately 4 km from the mainland.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-20 |title=Entorno natural de la Isla de Ons - Piratas de Nabia |url=https://www.piratasdenabia.com/isla-de-ons/entorno-natural/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |language=es-ES}}</ref> The contrasting coastlines define the island’s geography: the eastern side, facing the estuary, is relatively low and straight, home to sandy beaches and the island’s main settlements. In contrast, the western side, exposed to the Atlantic Ocean, is rugged and steep, with dramatic cliffs and sea caves known as "furnas," such as Buraco do Inferno carved by the relentless force of the ocean. Two large coves, Bastián de Val in the north and Canibeliñas in the south, serve as natural divisions between these two coastal landscapes. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-10-19 |title=Las furnas o cuevas marinas de las islas Cíes y Ons/Onza (I) |url=https://cies.gal/as-furnas-ou-covas-marinas-das-illas-cies-e-ons-i/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=Cies.gal, Cultura e Natureza Atlántica |language=es-ES}}</ref>

== Population == Historically, Ons had a dense population, with settlements concentrated along the island’s more sheltered eastern coast. In 2021, 63 people lived on the island,<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-02-29 |title=Habitantes en la Isla de Ons: la única poblada del Parque Nacional |url=https://visitaisladeons.com/habitantes-de-la-isla-de-ons-la-unica-poblacion-del-parque-nacion/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=Visita Isla de Ons |language=es}}</ref> spread across nine villages, all statistically grouped under a single entity, Ons:

* '''O Curro''': The most populated village and the island’s main hub, featuring the port, restaurants, bars, a shop, and a church.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-02-18 |title=Vista parcial del barrio do Curro. Ons |url=https://cies.gal/vista-parcial-do-barrio-do-curro-ons/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Cies.gal, Cultura e Natureza Atlántica |language=es-ES}}</ref> * '''O Caño''': An extension of O Curro, located along the road leading to the lighthouse.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-03-23 |title=Lavadero en el barrio do Cano en Ons |url=https://cies.gal/lavadoiro-do-barrio-do-cano-en-ons/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Cies.gal, Cultura e Natureza Atlántica |language=es-ES}}</ref> * '''O Cucorno''': The largest and highest village, situated on the hillside near the lighthouse. * '''O Laverco''': Another elevated settlement, adjacent to O Cucorno. * '''O Centolo (Sentulo)''': The northernmost village, with five houses in a high-altitude area. * '''Melide''': A small village with three houses, near O Centolo on the way to the lighthouse.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Isla de Ons: O Curro- O Cucorno-Faro de Ons- Alto da Cerrada- Punta do Centolo-Playa de Melide-O Curro |url=https://es.wikiloc.com/rutas-senderismo/isla-de-ons-o-curro-o-cucorno-faro-de-ons-alto-da-cerrada-punta-do-centolo-playa-de-melide-o-curro-37918879 |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Wikiloc {{!}} Rutas del Mundo |language=es}}</ref> * '''A Chan da Pólvora''': Home to about six houses, slightly off the main road to the lighthouse. The island’s campsite is located here. * '''Canexol''': A coastal village in the southern part of the island, near the cemetery. * '''Pereiró''': One of the largest and southernmost settlements, situated in one of Ons’ most fertile areas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Playa de Area de Cans, Canexol y Pereiro en la isla de Ons {{!}} TG |url=https://turismodegalicia.org/info-turismo/playas-de-galicia/area-de-cans-canexol-pereiro-en-isla-de-ons.php |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=turismodegalicia.org}}</ref>

Today, Ons has a seasonal population, with only a few permanent residents. However, in spring and summer, former islanders return to their homes, joined by hundreds of visitors and campers, pushing the population beyond 500 during peak season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-20 |title=Historia de la Isla de Ons - Piratas de Nabia |url=https://www.piratasdenabia.com/isla-de-ons/historia/#:~:text=Patrimonio%20construido%20en%20la%20Isla,construida%20sobre%20otra%20m%C3%A1s%20antigua. |access-date=2025-02-23 |language=es-ES}}</ref>

== Tourism == Ons offers visitors a unique experience in a protected natural environment. Key attractions include its beaches, the Ons Lighthouse—one of the most powerful in Spain—the Burato do Inferno chasm, and the viewpoints of Fedorento and O Centolo, among others.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Isla de Ons - Visitar Ons: Billetes, Rutas, Playas, Alojamientos |url=https://isladeons.es/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=Isla de Ons |language=es}}</ref>

There are no hotels on the Island of Ons due to its protected status. However, visitors can stay at campsites or in smaller accommodations such as guesthouses or rural homes. The most popular option is Camping Illa de Ons, which offers camping, glamping, and amenities like a cafeteria, laundry services, and other camping facilities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://campingisladeons.com/en/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=Camping Isla de Ons |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Conservation== In 2001 the European Union designated Ons a Special Protection Area for bird-life.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ons Archipelago {{!}} Parque Nacional marítimo-terrestre das Illas Atlánticas de Galicia |url=https://illasatlanticas.gal/en/visit-the-park/visit-ons |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=illasatlanticas.gal |language=en}}</ref>

In 2002, along with several other archipelagos off the Pontevedra coast, Ons became part of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parque Nacional Marítimo-Terrestre das Illas Atlánticas de Galicia - GALICIA |url=https://www.turismo.gal/que-visitar/destacados/parque-nacional-das-illas-atlanticas-de-galicia?langId=en_US |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=www.turismo.gal}}</ref>

== Gallery == <gallery> File:Ons muelle.JPG|The docks next to O Curro, the most important settlement of Ons File:Faro da Illa de Ons.jpg|Lighthouse File:Illa de Ons Curro San Xaquincinho da Illa 3.jpg|Church of San Xoaquín File:Illa de Ons Punta Rabo da Egua 11.jpg|Cliffs on the western side of the island </gallery>

== References == {{Reflist}}

== Related articles == * Ria de Pontevedra

Cies Islands Cies Islands Category:Special Protection Areas of Spain Category:Islands of Galicia (Spain) Category:Landforms of Galicia (Spain)