Explore the Medes Islands & Discover the Magic of Estartit!

Sea views come first here. This five-hour catamaran trip links Roses, the Medes Islands, and El Estartit in one easy outing. I like the changing scenery, from the Montgrí Massif and Cala Montgó to the Greek port at Sant Martí d’Empúries. I also like the underwater viewing rooms, which let you see the seabed without needing snorkeling gear.

The stop in El Estartit is another strong point. You get time to walk around town rather than staying on the boat all day. The main caution is the underwater viewing itself: visibility and marine life can be modest, and recent feedback describes small fish over a shallow seabed. I would book this for the coast and the full boat ride, not as a substitute for a serious snorkeling trip.

Key points to know before booking

• The route covers a large section of the Costa Brava: You cross Roses Bay, pass Cala Montgó and Foradada, visit the Medes Islands, stop at El Estartit, then return past several beaches and coastal towns.
• The underwater rooms are easy to use: You can look through the catamaran windows without getting wet, but the view depends heavily on water clarity and sea conditions.
• El Estartit gives the cruise a welcome break: The stop includes time to walk and explore, and Thursdays bring the town’s weekly market.
• The Montgrí Massif is a memorable sight: Its shape is compared with a sleeping bishop stretched toward the Mediterranean.
• The trip is best for scenery, not guaranteed wildlife: One passenger reported seeing dolphins, while another found only small fish in shallow water.
• Check the destination before departure: Some recent booking feedback described a trip being changed to Cadaqués without clear notice, so confirm that your boat is running the Medes Islands and El Estartit route.

Crossing Roses Bay beneath the Montgrí Massif

The cruise begins from one of two possible points in Roses: Avinguda de la Bocana, 2, or Av. de Rhode, 139. Your exact meeting point depends on the option you book, so check the confirmation carefully before setting off.

Once the catamaran leaves, the first major view is across the Bay of Roses. The bay gives you a wide sweep of Mediterranean water, with the Montgrí Massif forming the backdrop. Its profile is often likened to a sleeping bishop lying on the ground, with the feet reaching toward the sea. It is an unusual image, and once you see the outline, the comparison makes sense.

I like this opening because it gives the cruise a sense of place before the boat reaches the islands. You are not simply heading from one port to another. The route lets you read the coast from offshore, where the towns, coves, cliffs, and hills fit together in one view.

The five-hour duration matters here. A shorter trip could show you one bay or one island, but this cruise makes a long loop through several distinct stretches of coast. The trade-off is that you spend much of the day on board, with only one planned town stop.

Cala Montgó and the Foradada cave

As the catamaran continues south, it passes in front of Cala Montgó. The cove is one of the coastal points that gives the trip variety, replacing the open bay with a more enclosed view of the shore.

The boat also passes the Foradada cave. The name comes from the Catalan word for holed, referring to the opening through the rock. If conditions and timing are right, you might see another boat pass through it. That is not guaranteed, but it is the kind of small moment that makes sitting outside worthwhile.

I would bring a light layer even on a warm day. The boat’s open areas make the most of the views, but the wind can feel stronger once you are away from shore. The bar service is useful for drinks during the crossing, though you should think of it as a convenience rather than a central part of the outing.

The multilingual audio guide is available on your phone in Catalan, Spanish, French, English, Italian, German, Dutch, and Russian. This gives you background as the coast passes by, without requiring a live guide in every language. You will need to pay attention to your phone and listening setup, so it is worth having your device ready before the boat gets underway.

Seeing the Medes Islands from below the waterline

The Medes Islands are the main reason to choose this cruise over a standard coastal sail. The islands form part of a Marine Natural Park, and the catamaran has underwater viewing rooms where you can look through windows at the seabed.

This is a good feature for families, people who do not swim, and anyone who wants a quick look beneath the surface without changing clothes. You walk down into the viewing area and watch the water through the windows while the boat is positioned for observation.

Keep expectations sensible. The view is not the same as snorkeling or scuba diving, and the supplied feedback shows how much conditions can vary. One person found the seabed only about three meters down, with very small fish. Another reported seeing dolphins during the wider cruise. Those two accounts capture the uncertainty well: you may see marine life, but nobody can promise a dramatic underwater show.

Water clarity, sunlight, boat movement, and the position of the catamaran all affect what appears through the glass. If you see only a few fish, the islands and the surrounding coast still provide the main scenery. If you are booking mainly to see abundant marine life, a dedicated snorkeling or boat excursion designed around underwater activity may suit you better.

The catamaran itself also affects the mood. One critical comment described the boat as very large, while another passenger rated the overall outing highly. A large vessel can feel stable and provide more room, but it may also make the trip feel less intimate. You should expect a shared sightseeing cruise rather than a small private sailing trip.

Time ashore in El Estartit

After the Medes Islands, the boat reaches the port of El Estartit. You can get off and explore the town on foot, with the stop forming the central break in the five-hour schedule.

This is more than a quick photo stop. You have the chance to walk, look around, and take a break from the boat before the return journey. The exact amount of free time is not specified, so I would avoid planning a long restaurant meal or a detailed town tour around it.

Thursday is the best day to find extra activity in town because it is the day of the weekly market. If your schedule is flexible, this can add local color to the stop. If you prefer a quieter visit, another day may feel less focused on market browsing.

The town visit also makes the cruise easier to recommend to people with different interests. One person can enjoy the sea views and boat ride, while another gets time on land. You are not committed to five straight hours of looking over the rail.

The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, according to the supplied information. The boat access, underwater viewing rooms, and getting ashore at El Estartit may involve steps or movement that are not practical for everyone. If this is a concern, ask the operator about your exact needs before paying.

The return route through L’Escala and the Gulf of Roses

The return to Roses follows a different stretch of coast, giving the full outing a useful sense of progression. The boat passes in front of L’Escala, then continues toward the waters of the Gulf of Roses.

You will also see the Greek port of Sant Martí d’Empúries from the water. The route then passes San Pedro Pescador, the beach at Empuriabrava, and La Robina beach before reaching Santa Margarita and Roses.

This return section is not just a ride back to the starting point. It lets you compare different coastal settings: the open gulf, beaches, port areas, and the built-up shoreline around Empuriabrava. The view changes gradually, so I would keep your camera ready even after leaving El Estartit.

The two possible drop-off points are the same as the departure choices: Avinguda de la Bocana, 2, and Av. de Rhode, 139. Confirm which one applies to your booking, especially if you have a hotel, bus connection, or dinner reservation afterward.

Is $53 a fair price?

At $53 per person, this is fairly priced if you want a half-day coastal outing that combines several stops. The ticket covers the boat tour, the underwater viewing rooms, the audio guide, and the El Estartit visit. You are paying for access to a broad route rather than for one short island crossing.

The value is strongest when you use the whole itinerary. You get the views across Roses Bay, the Montgrí Massif, Cala Montgó, Foradada, the Medes Islands, El Estartit, and the return through the Gulf of Roses. A simple scenic cruise might cost less, but it would not necessarily include the town stop or underwater windows.

The value is weaker if your main goal is exceptional marine life. The viewing rooms offer a chance to see below the surface, but the water may be shallow and the fish small. You also cannot control what appears during the boat’s viewing period.

A bar is available on board, which saves you from being completely without refreshments. Still, I would treat the cruise as a daytime sightseeing activity and plan your food around the known stop in El Estartit rather than assuming the onboard service will replace a meal.

Weather, route changes, and how to plan the day

Sea conditions can shape this outing more than any brochure description. One highly positive account described beautiful islands, sea, and scenery despite gray weather and periods of rain. That is a useful reminder that the coast can still look good in poor weather, but the views will be less clear and the ride may feel cooler.

The route also needs checking at the pier. At least one recent booking account described a trip sold for El Estartit and the Medes Islands changing to a Cadaqués route without clear communication. Another person praised the crew and said the trip went as described, so the service itself appears capable of being smooth. Still, I would ask the staff at the small dockside ticket cabin to confirm the destination before boarding.

That simple check matters because the cruise to Cadaqués is a different outing. It may be attractive in its own right, but it will not help if you specifically want the Medes Islands and El Estartit.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your coastal plans depend on weather, but check the exact booking conditions attached to your selected departure.

Who will enjoy this catamaran cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a relaxed way to see a large stretch of Catalonia’s coast without arranging several separate trips. The itinerary suits people who value scenery, a gentle boat ride, and a little time in town.

It is also a good fit for families or mixed groups. The underwater windows give non-swimmers something to do, while the shore stop breaks up the cruise. The multilingual audio guide helps if your group does not share the same first language.

I would be more cautious if you want a small, quiet sailing experience. The catamaran can be large, and the trip follows a set route with other passengers. I would also choose another activity if your priority is close marine-life encounters, snorkeling, or scuba-quality underwater views.

Before booking, check three things: the departure point, the scheduled destination, and the weather forecast. Those details will do more to shape your day than the ticket price.

Should you book the Medes Islands and El Estartit cruise?

Book it if you want a five-hour coastal sampler with strong scenery, an underwater viewing room, and a real stop in El Estartit. The Montgrí Massif, Foradada cave, Medes Islands, and Gulf of Roses give the route plenty of variety.

Skip it if you expect guaranteed dolphins, a large display of fish, or a small-boat atmosphere. The underwater section can be limited, and the vessel may feel too large for people looking for an intimate sail.

For most visitors staying around Roses, $53 is a reasonable price for a broad half-day outing. Confirm the route at the dock, pack for wind or light rain, and choose Thursday if the El Estartit market appeals to you.

FAQ

How long does the Medes Islands and El Estartit cruise last?

The cruise lasts five hours.

How much does the cruise cost?

The listed price is $53 per person.

Where does the boat depart from?

There are two possible starting points: Avinguda de la Bocana, 2, and Av. de Rhode, 139. The exact point depends on the option booked.

What can I see from the boat?

The route includes Roses Bay, the Montgrí Massif, Cala Montgó, the Foradada cave, the Medes Islands, L’Escala, Sant Martí d’Empúries, San Pedro Pescador, Empuriabrava beach, La Robina beach, Santa Margarita, and Roses.

Does the boat have underwater viewing windows?

Yes. At the Marine Natural Park of the Medes Islands, you can use the catamaran’s underwater viewing rooms to look at the seabed.

Do I get time to visit El Estartit?

Yes. The itinerary includes time to get off the boat and visit El Estartit. Thursdays are the day of the town’s weekly market.

Is an audio guide included?

Yes. The audio guide is available for phones in Catalan, Dutch, English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Russian.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility impairments?

The activity is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.