From L’Estartit: Snorkeling Trip to the Medes Islands

The Medes Islands sit only about a mile off L’Estartit, but underwater they feel far removed from the beach. This protected group of seven islands gives you a good chance to see fish, sea plants, rock formations, and, in favorable conditions, larger species such as groupers and barracuda.

I especially like the short ride to the islands and the fact that the price includes a wetsuit, vest, fins, mask, and your own snorkel tube. The guides also keep a close eye on first-timers and children. The main caution is simple: sea conditions control the show. Cloud, rain, current, and crowded water can reduce visibility or shorten your time in the water.

Key points to know before you book

• The snorkeling site is close to L’Estartit: The boat reaches the Medes Islands after roughly 10 minutes on the water.
• You get about 50 minutes with a guide in the sea: Groups of roughly 8 to 10 people swim together while the guide points out good viewing spots.
• All basic equipment is included: You receive a mask, fins, wetsuit, flotation vest, and a personal snorkel tube to keep.
• The tour works well for cautious swimmers and children: Guides use flotation rings and stay close to people who need extra confidence.
• Weather makes a real difference: Clear water can feel like an aquarium, while rain, cloud, or current can limit what you see.
• The boat ride is part of the value: After snorkeling, you can swim, sunbathe, and possibly cruise around the islands before returning.

Why the Medes Islands make a good snorkeling stop

The Medes Islands Natural Marine Reserve protects a small archipelago of seven islands off the Costa Brava. From L’Estartit, you reach it quickly, so this is not a full-day commitment or a long boat crossing that eats up your swimming time.

The reserve is the main reason to choose this trip instead of simply snorkeling from the beach. Protected waters can support more marine life, and the rocky island setting gives you a better chance to see fish around underwater formations. You might see schools of smaller fish, sea plants, starfish, groupers, barracuda, and other Mediterranean species. What appears on the day depends heavily on water clarity, sunlight, current, and the number of boats in the area.

I would set your expectations at good Mediterranean snorkeling, not a guaranteed wildlife spectacle. Some outings produce clear water and plenty of fish. Others offer smaller fish and ordinary sea life in darker water. That is normal for a marine trip, not a promise that every visit will look like an aquarium.

The setting itself adds value. You are not only swimming in open water. You are looking toward the rocky Medes Islands, then back toward the Estartit coast, with the boat nearby and a guide in the water. For many people, especially first-time snorkelers, that combination feels more secure than trying to find a reef alone from shore.

Starting at Medaqua in L’Estartit

Your tour begins at the Medaqua activity center. Allow time to find the office and exchange your voucher before the scheduled departure. The activity information says the center is wheelchair accessible, but it also says the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Those statements do not fully match, so contact Medaqua before booking if you need help with boarding, walking, or entering the water.

Parking deserves a little planning. One nearby car park across from the office may be reserved for the nautical club, so you should not assume you can leave your car there. A larger free sandy car park near the beach is available, but it is farther away. I would arrive early enough to park, walk to the office, exchange your voucher, and get fitted without rushing.

At the center, the crew provides your snorkeling equipment. The personal snorkel tube is assigned to you and can be kept after the tour. That is a useful hygiene touch and a pleasant small souvenir, especially for children. You are responsible for damaged or lost equipment, so keep hold of your gear and do not leave it loose on the boat.

The briefing and the short boat ride

Before boarding, your guide explains how the mask, fins, vest, wetsuit, and snorkel work. The crew also gives an environmental briefing, including what you may see and what not to do. Do not feed the animals, and smoking is not allowed.

That introduction matters more than it might sound. A snorkel can feel awkward the first time, and a poorly fitted mask can spoil the entire outing. The staff generally gives clear instructions, but if you have never used a snorkel, say so before entering the water. One past participant specifically wished there had been a short technique lesson for beginners, so it is sensible to ask for help with breathing, clearing the tube, or adjusting the mask.

Once ready, you walk to the boat, then make the short trip toward the islands. The water crossing takes about 10 minutes. That is long enough to enjoy the Costa Brava coast and settle into the outing, but short enough that children are unlikely to become bored before the main activity begins.

The boat itself serves two purposes. It transports you to the reserve, then becomes your base between water activities. You can sit on deck, dry off, and take in the islands from the surface. If you dislike long boat rides, this compact crossing is a strong point.

Fifty minutes of guided snorkeling

At the Medes Islands, the group enters the water in sections of about 8 to 10 people with a guide. That group size is one of the better features of the outing. You are not left to find the best viewing spots alone, and the guide can keep track of the group without creating a huge procession.

The planned snorkeling period lasts about 50 minutes. That is enough time to get comfortable, follow the guide, stop to look at fish, and enjoy the water without turning the trip into an exhausting endurance test. It is also the part of the schedule most affected by conditions. Current, rain, cloud, boat traffic, and visibility can change the pace.

You may see different types of fish moving through the rocks and sea plants. Reports from past outings include groupers, barracuda, starfish, and many smaller fish. Some people have described the water as clear enough to feel like looking into a fish tank. On cloudier days, the same location can look much darker, with less visible life.

The guides are a major part of the safety net. Frieda has been praised for giving close support to a nervous participant and staying nearby until confidence improved. Regina was especially helpful with a six-year-old who had never snorkeled before. Those details matter if you are booking for a child or someone who feels uneasy in open water.

The boat remains nearby, and the crew has flotation rings for people who need a rest. You still need to be comfortable entering the sea and swimming with the group, but you do not have to be an expert swimmer. Parents should remain realistic: a child may need close help with the mask or snorkel, and the adult should be ready to assist even with a guide present.

Time to swim, sunbathe, and look back at the coast

After the guided portion, you return to the boat. The plan allows time for a swim or a rest on deck before the return journey. If the weather is good, the crew also makes a short cruise around the islands.

This surface time helps the trip feel like more than a basic equipment rental. You get a change of pace after nearly an hour in the sea. You can dry off, admire the rocky islands, and look back toward L’Estartit while the boat moves around the archipelago.

Do not treat the extra swim and cruise as a guaranteed long break. The stated duration is between two and two and a half hours, and weather can alter the schedule. One older account described a shorter free period than expected before the boat returned. More recent details specify about 50 minutes of guided snorkeling, so I would book this for the guided water time rather than for an extended independent swim.

The wetsuit can be helpful even in warm weather. Water temperature and wind can make a long swim chilly, and several participants appreciated having one. On the other hand, a wetsuit may feel hot during the ride, especially on a sunny summer day. Ask the crew whether you need to wear it during the crossing or can put it on closer to the snorkeling area.

What the $45 price really includes

At $45 per person, this is a reasonable package if you need equipment and want a guide. You are paying for the boat ride, instruction, roughly 50 minutes of guided snorkeling, equipment, a flotation vest, a wetsuit, and the small island cruise when conditions allow.

The value is strongest for families, beginners, and anyone who does not already carry snorkeling gear. Renting a mask, fins, wetsuit, and boat seat separately could quickly narrow the price difference. The personal snorkel tube, which you keep, is another practical inclusion.

The value is less clear if you are an experienced snorkeler who wants to spend most of the day in the water or explore independently. The trip is short, group-based, and guided. You follow the guide rather than choosing your own route, and the water time is limited to the planned session.

Food and drinks are not included. Bring water, a towel, swimwear, and sunscreen. A drink is particularly useful after the snorkeling session, when salt water, sun, and wind can leave you thirsty. You should apply sunscreen before boarding and bring more for later, while taking care not to put products on in a way that could affect the water or equipment.

Group size, language, and the guide’s role

Instruction is available in Catalan, English, French, and Spanish. That makes the briefing easier for most visitors, and the guide’s presence adds more than simple directions. The best guides explain the islands and marine life, help identify fish, and keep nervous swimmers close.

The strongest part of the operation appears to be its personal attention. Families with children have been well supported, and cautious first-timers have received patient help. The crew is also described as friendly and safety-conscious, which is exactly what you want when the main activity takes place away from shore.

Still, the experience can vary with the guide assigned to your group. Some guides provide more information about the environment than others. If you want a naturalist-style tour with constant explanations, ask questions in the water or before departure. If you mainly want safe access to a good snorkeling area, the basic format should suit you.

Crowding is another possible issue in high season. The Medes Islands attract several boats and excursion groups, and one outing found the snorkeling area busy. This does not erase the appeal of the reserve, but it can make the water feel less peaceful and may affect where the guide takes you.

Weather, visibility, and realistic expectations

The biggest variable is the sea, not the company. Sunlight helps you see colors and fish. Cloud and rain can make the water look dark, while current can make swimming harder and reduce the time available.

A clear day may give you the classic Costa Brava scene: rocky formations below, fish moving through sea plants, and bright water around the boat. A storm or sudden weather change can shorten the program. One outing encountered a thunderstorm and did not receive the full expected time, while another still worked well in rain because the guides kept the group safe and involved.

If your schedule allows, choose a day when the forecast looks stable. Morning or afternoon timing depends on availability, so check the start times before booking. You can also ask the operator about typical sea conditions and water temperature for your date.

The tour does not promise a particular species or a certain number of fish, and it should not be judged that way. You may see a large grouper or barracuda, or you may spend most of the time with smaller fish and sea plants. The reserve, guide, and boat give you a strong opportunity, not a guaranteed wildlife display.

Who should book this Medes Islands outing

I would recommend it most to:

• Families with children who want a supervised first snorkeling experience
• Adults who feel nervous in open water
• Visitors without their own mask, fins, wetsuit, or boat access
• People who want a half-day activity rather than a full-day cruise
• Swimmers who like a mix of guided snorkeling, deck time, and coastal views

It is also a good choice for a group with mixed ability. A confident swimmer can enjoy the fish and rocks, while a less confident person can stay near the guide or use a flotation ring during breaks.

I would think twice if you want quiet, independent exploration, a long underwater session, or guaranteed bright visibility. The tour can also be a poor fit for anyone with mobility concerns unless Medaqua confirms exactly how boarding and water entry work.

Should you book the Medes Islands snorkeling trip?

Book it if you want an affordable, well-supported introduction to the Medes Islands and you value equipment, a short boat ride, and a guide who stays close. The package is particularly sensible for families and first-timers. The personal snorkel tube, wetsuit, flotation gear, and small-group format make the $45 price easy to justify.

Skip it if your main goal is a long independent swim or a quiet boat day. For the best chance of clear water, check the forecast, arrive early for parking and voucher exchange, and ask about wetsuit use during the ride. Go in expecting attractive Mediterranean sea life rather than a guaranteed spectacle, and this should be a fun, practical way to see the coast from below.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling trip begin?

The meeting point is the Medaqua activity center in L’Estartit. You must exchange your voucher at the office before the tour begins.

How long does the activity last?

The stated duration is between two hours and two and a half hours. The guided snorkeling period at the Medes Islands lasts about 50 minutes.

How long is the boat ride to the islands?

The boat trip to the Medes Islands takes about 10 minutes.

What equipment is included?

The activity includes snorkeling gear, a mask, fins, wetsuit, flotation vest, and a personal snorkel tube. You can keep the snorkel tube after the activity.

Can children join the snorkeling trip?

Children can join, and the activity has been used successfully by families with children as young as six and eight. Guides can provide close support, and flotation rings are available for rests.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, drinks, and sunscreen. Food and drinks are not included.

What languages are available?

Instruction is available in Catalan, English, French, and Spanish.

Can I cancel the booking?

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