Explore the Medes Islands & Discover the Magic of Estartit!

The best part of this five-hour catamaran cruise is the mix of sea views and a short town visit. You cross Roses Bay, pass the Montgrí Massif, look toward Cala Montgó and Foradada, then reach the Medes Islands’ Marine Natural Park.

I like the underwater viewing rooms, which let you see the seabed without bringing snorkel gear. I also like the stop in L’Estartit, especially on Thursday when the weekly market fills the town. The main drawback is that the seabed viewing can be modest, with one report describing water only about three metres deep and very small fish.

The boat can also feel large rather than intimate. Check the destination carefully before boarding, since a recent sailing was changed to Cadaqués without clear notice.

Key points at a glance

• Montgrí Massif views: Watch the rocky mountain profile rise behind Roses Bay as the boat heads south.
• Foradada cave: Pass Cala Montgó and look for the holed rock formation, where a boat may pass through if conditions allow.
• Medes Islands viewing rooms: See the marine park’s seabed through the catamaran’s underwater windows.
• L’Estartit stop: Go ashore for a walk, local sights, or the Thursday market.
• Eight-language audio guide: Use the onboard guide in Catalan, Spanish, French, English, Italian, German, Dutch, or Russian.
• Five hours for $53: A fair price if you want a full coastal outing, but less compelling if your main goal is rich underwater wildlife.

Setting out from Roses Bay

You can choose between two departure points: Avinguda de la Bocana, 2, or Av. de Rhode, 139. Your exact meeting point depends on the option you book, so check the confirmation rather than assuming both locations are interchangeable.

Once under way, the cruise opens across Roses Bay. This is not simply a transfer to the islands. The route gives you a long look at the Catalan coast, with the Montgrí Massif forming the main inland landmark.

The mountain is easy to remember because its outline resembles a sleeping bishop stretched along the ground, with its feet reaching toward the Mediterranean. I like this kind of view because it gives the sailing a sense of place. You are not looking at an anonymous stretch of coast. You are watching a distinctive feature that has helped define the area for generations.

The audio guide is useful here. You can listen in one of eight languages: Catalan, Spanish, French, English, Italian, German, Dutch, or Russian. It is designed for your phone, so bring a charged device and headphones if you prefer not to rely on the boat’s general sound system.

A bar service is available on board. That matters on a five-hour outing, since you will spend much of the day at sea. Still, the activity information does not specify what food or drinks are sold, so treat the bar as a convenience rather than a full meal plan.

Cala Montgó and the Foradada passage

The route continues toward Cala Montgó, a coastal stop known here mainly for its position along the cruise. The boat does not describe a scheduled landing at the cala, so expect to view it from the water rather than spend beach time ashore.

The more unusual sight is Foradada, whose name means holed in Catalan. It is a cave or rock opening that can sometimes be crossed by boat. The wording matters: you may see a boat pass through, but it depends on timing and sea conditions. Do not book this trip expecting a guaranteed passage through the opening.

This part of the cruise rewards a seat with a clear view outside. The boat is large, and that can make it easier to find space, but it also means the outing may feel more like a public sightseeing cruise than a small coastal expedition. One low rating specifically objected to the catamaran’s size.

That is not automatically a flaw. A large boat can suit families, groups, and anyone who wants a steady ride with a bar and onboard facilities. If you want a quiet boat with personal attention from a skipper, this is probably not the right format.

Seeing the Medes Islands below the surface

The central stop is the Marine Natural Park of the Medes Islands. Here, you can enter the catamaran’s underwater viewing rooms and look through the windows at the seabed.

This is the easiest way to get a glimpse of the marine environment without snorkeling. You remain dry, and the arrangement can work well for children or for anyone who does not feel comfortable in open water. It also gives you a different view from the usual sightseeing deck. Instead of looking only at cliffs and open sea, you get a chance to see what is below the hull.

Keep your expectations measured. The underwater windows do not turn the boat into an aquarium. Visibility changes with water conditions, light, and the exact position of the boat. One recent assessment found the seabed to be around three metres below the surface and saw only small fish. That is a useful warning if you are choosing this cruise mainly for dramatic marine life.

I would treat the viewing rooms as one part of the outing, not its entire purpose. The strongest experience combines the underwater look with the coastal route, island setting, and stop in L’Estartit. If you want serious underwater observation, a dedicated snorkeling or scuba excursion would likely suit you better, but no such activity is included here.

The Medes Islands are protected as a marine park, which helps explain why the boat presents the area from viewing rooms rather than promising active water activities. You get a low-effort look at a protected seabed while keeping the schedule moving.

Free time in L’Estartit

After the Medes Islands, the catamaran reaches the port of L’Estartit. This is the main chance to leave the boat and explore on your own.

The schedule describes a visit, walk, and possible hiking, but it does not give a guided walking route or a fixed list of sights. That means you should think of L’Estartit as free time rather than a formal town tour. You can use the stop to wander, see the port area, and get a break from the boat.

Thursday is the best day for a particular reason: L’Estartit holds its weekly market. If your sailing falls on Thursday, the market gives the stop a livelier local focus and a practical reason to spend your time ashore. On other days, the visit is more open-ended.

The length of the stop is not stated, so plan conservatively. Do not walk far from the port unless the crew clearly explains when to return. A boat cannot wait for late passengers, and free time is only useful if you get back before departure.

The stop also helps break up the five-hour trip. Five hours on a catamaran is a long stretch for anyone who gets restless at sea. L’Estartit gives you solid ground, a chance to walk, and a change of pace before the return journey.

Returning through the Gulf of Roses

The return route adds more coastal views rather than simply retracing the outward course. The boat passes in front of L’Escala and then enters the Gulf of Roses.

You also pass the Greek port of Sant Martí d’Empúries, followed by views toward Sant Pere Pescador, Empuriabrava Beach, and La Robina Beach. The cruise finally reaches Santa Margarida and Roses.

This closing section is valuable if you enjoy seeing how the coast changes from protected islands to beaches and settled resort areas. Empuriabrava gives the route a different character from the rocky coves near Cala Montgó, while the beaches provide a broad final view across the Gulf of Roses.

The return can feel long if you have already seen the main sights and the sea is rough. Use the audio guide, spend time on the outside deck when conditions allow, or use the bar. The trip is best approached as a full coastal day, not as a quick island shuttle.

The exact return location matches the departure choices: Avinguda de la Bocana, 2, or Av. de Rhode, 139, depending on the option selected. Confirm this before setting off, especially if you have another booking or a fixed dinner plan in Roses.

What $53 buys you

At $53 per person, the price is reasonable for a five-hour boat outing with several distinct parts: a bay crossing, coastal viewpoints, the Medes Islands, underwater viewing rooms, a port stop, an audio guide, and a return along the Gulf of Roses.

The value is strongest when you want variety. You are paying for time on the water and the route itself, not only for the Medes Islands. If you enjoy boat travel, the Montgrí views and coastal landmarks help fill the day.

The value is weaker if your priority is close wildlife viewing. The underwater rooms may show a shallow seabed and small fish rather than a dramatic display. You should also remember that the boat is described as large, so the fare does not buy a private or intimate experience.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure gives you useful flexibility, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your plans around Roses are still changing. They do not remove the need to check the meeting point and destination before departure.

Weather, comfort, and practical limits

The cruise depends heavily on the day’s conditions. A recent outing included rain and grey sea views, which changed the mood of the trip. Even a well-planned route can feel less appealing when the sky is dull and visibility is poor.

Bring protection from sun and wind, along with a light layer for the open deck. The information provided does not specify indoor seating, restrooms, or the exact onboard facilities beyond the bar and underwater rooms, so do not assume the boat offers every comfort found on a larger ferry.

The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. That applies to the boat experience and the stop in L’Estartit, where boarding, moving around, and going ashore may present difficulties.

The audio guide gives you information in your chosen language, but it is not the same as a live guide walking with you. If you prefer personal commentary and questions answered throughout the trip, adjust your expectations.

There is also an important destination check. A recent sailing intended for L’Estartit and the Medes Islands was changed to Cadaqués without passengers being told clearly. The day was still considered enjoyable, but the change mattered because the passenger already knew Cadaqués and had booked for a different route. Confirm the planned destination at the dock, particularly if weather or operating conditions are uncertain.

Who will enjoy this catamaran cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a relaxed way to see a broad section of the Costa Brava without arranging several separate trips. Families, couples, and groups who enjoy a mix of scenery, a short town visit, and light marine viewing will find the format easy to understand.

It also suits you if you do not want to snorkel but still want to see below the water. The viewing rooms offer a simple alternative, though the marine life may be limited.

You may want another option if you need wheelchair-friendly access, dislike large boats, or expect abundant fish and clear underwater views. Serious nature fans should also ask about current conditions before booking, since the seabed viewing is not guaranteed to be spectacular.

The cruise works best when you value the full route. Its pleasures are spread out: the sleeping-bishop profile of Montgrí, Foradada, the Medes Islands, L’Estartit, and the beaches around the Gulf of Roses. No single stop carries the whole experience.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a five-hour coastal outing from Roses for $53, with an easy look at the Medes Islands and free time in L’Estartit. Thursday is especially appealing because of the weekly market.

Before paying, confirm the meeting point, planned destination, and weather forecast. Choose it for the complete seascape and the change of pace, not solely for underwater wildlife. If that distinction suits you, it offers a pleasant and good-value day on the Catalan coast.

FAQ

How long is the Medes Islands and L’Estartit cruise?

The activity lasts five hours, including the boat journey, the Medes Islands visit, free time in L’Estartit, and the return to Roses.

Where does the boat leave from?

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

Does the cruise stop in L’Estartit?

Yes. You can leave the boat in L’Estartit to visit the town, walk, or explore independently. The exact amount of free time is not specified.

Is there a market in L’Estartit during the visit?

Yes. L’Estartit holds its weekly market on Thursdays.

Can I see marine life without snorkeling?

Yes. The catamaran has underwater viewing rooms where you can look at the seabed through windows.

Is an audio guide included?

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

Is food or drink available on the boat?

The boat has a bar service. The available information does not specify the full food and drink menu.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. 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. You can also reserve now and pay later.