L’Estartit: Dive and Snorkeling in Montgrí Natural Park

Fish and sea plants become part of your surroundings on this beginner-friendly outing from L’Estartit. You get a guided 20-minute scuba session in protected waters, then time to explore the surface with a mask and snorkel.

I like two things in particular: the one-to-one instruction during your first underwater session, and the chance to snorkel afterward instead of heading straight back to shore. One consideration: the scuba portion is brief, and some medical conditions require a specific certificate before you can take part.

The small group is capped at nine, and the outing lasts 2.5 hours in total. That gives you a compact introduction, not a full training course, with the boat ride and briefing included.

What to know before you book

• A first scuba session, not a certification course: You receive an introduction and instructor guidance, then spend up to 20 minutes underwater.
• Individual help in a small group: The group limit is nine, with one-to-one instruction for the scuba portion.
• Two ways to see the reserve: Your session pairs scuba with snorkeling, so you can keep exploring after your underwater time.
• A boat trip to protected coastal waters: The route takes you toward Montgrí, the Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park.
• Bring your own basics: Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and a passport or ID card.
• Check the health rules first: Several medical conditions require a specific certificate, and people who have had a pneumothorax cannot participate.

The appeal of a first underwater session

Scuba can feel like a big step if you have never tried it. This outing is designed for beginners, with a safety briefing and an introduction before you enter the water. A certified instructor guides the session, and the one-to-one format means you are not left to work out unfamiliar equipment or routines on your own.

The underwater part lasts up to 20 minutes. That is enough for a first taste of breathing and floating below the surface, but it is not a long exploration. If you already have scuba experience or want a full day of underwater time, this may feel short. If you are curious and want a supported first attempt, the compact format is easier to fit into a Costa Brava itinerary.

Medaqua runs the trip from L’Estartit. Lucas is one instructor associated with the experience, but staffing can vary, so treat his presence as a possibility rather than a guarantee. The clearest point about the instruction is the format: you receive individual guidance for the scuba session, within a group limited to nine participants overall.

From Medaqua to the coast

Check in at the Medaqua Snorkel Tours store in L’Estartit. The outing begins on foot, with a short walk of about five minutes before the activity continues. The precise sequence of preparation and boarding may depend on the day, but the plan includes a safety briefing, a basic introduction and a boat trip.

That briefing matters. Your instructor explains the basics before your first underwater session, giving you a chance to understand what to expect before you enter the sea. This is especially useful if you feel nervous or have never used scuba equipment. You will have an instructor to guide you, but it is still worth arriving ready to listen, ask questions and follow directions.

The boat heads toward scenic coastline around Montgrí, the Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park. The boat ride is part of the appeal: you are not simply swimming off the town beach, but heading out to protected marine waters. The route places you near a distinctive stretch of Costa Brava coast, though the exact underwater sights can vary. The experience promises colorful fish and plant life, not a particular species or guaranteed wildlife encounter.

What the 20-minute scuba session feels like

Once you reach the water, your certified instructor leads your first scuba experience. You can expect to focus on the basics and on becoming comfortable underwater, rather than covering a wide area or learning advanced skills. The session lasts up to 20 minutes, so take your time and pay attention to the instructor’s guidance.

The quiet is part of what makes the experience appealing. Breathing underwater and floating below the surface can feel very different from swimming at the top. For a beginner, that change in perspective is the main event. You may see fish and marine plants in the reserve, but conditions and wildlife encounters are not specified, so it is best to approach them as a welcome possibility rather than a promise.

A one-to-one instructor is valuable here because beginners often need clear, personal guidance. The group limit of nine also keeps the outing relatively small. It is not a private boat trip, but the individual attention during the scuba portion helps make the first attempt feel more manageable.

The underwater session is short by design. If you are hoping for a lengthy scuba outing, compare other options before booking. If you are weighing the nerves and cost of trying scuba for the first time, a guided 20-minute session offers a contained way to find out how it feels.

Snorkeling gives you a second look

After your scuba session, you can continue exploring with snorkel gear. The itinerary allocates about 50 minutes to snorkeling, and the equipment is included. At the surface, you can look down into the water at your own pace, without the same learning curve as scuba.

This second part adds real value. A first scuba experience can be intense simply because everything is new; snorkeling gives you more time to notice the marine environment and enjoy the water. It also means the trip is not over as soon as your 20-minute session ends. Bring a towel and plan to be in swimwear for the outing.

The snorkeling is described as independent, so do not expect the same one-to-one instruction throughout that portion. The instructor and group are part of the excursion, but you explore the surface with your own mask and snorkel. If you are not comfortable in the water, ask about the arrangements before booking rather than assuming the entire snorkel segment is instructor-led.

What the $92 price includes

At $92 per person, the price covers the boat trip, instructor, scuba and snorkeling gear, safety briefing, 20-minute scuba session and snorkeling. That bundles the main pieces you would otherwise need to arrange separately: transport out to the coast, equipment and qualified guidance.

The value depends on what you want from the outing. For a first scuba session in a protected natural area, with snorkeling added and individual instruction, the package is appealing. You are paying for a guided introduction and a boat-based visit, not for a long scuba excursion or a certification. Food, drinks and hotel pickup or drop-off are not included, so allow for those separately.

There is also a practical equipment condition to keep in mind: if you break, damage or lose supplied gear, you must pay for it. Use the equipment carefully and tell your instructor promptly if something does not seem right.

Health checks and useful packing

Bring a passport or ID card, swimwear, a towel and sunscreen. The activity requires an ID, and the rest of the list covers the basic needs of a boat outing that includes time in the water. Food and drinks are not provided, so plan accordingly.

Check the health requirements before you reserve. People with asthma, epilepsy, lung disease, heart problems, perforated eardrums, diabetes or vascular diseases must present a specific medical certificate to participate. Anyone who has suffered a pneumothorax cannot take part. Pregnant women are also not suited to this activity.

The experience is listed as wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is important to your plans, contact Medaqua ahead of time to confirm how the access arrangements work for your needs, especially across the walk, boat and water portions.

The outing is offered in Catalan, English, French and Spanish. If you need instruction in a particular language, check that it will be available at your chosen time.

Is this the right Costa Brava outing for you?

I would consider this trip if you are curious about scuba but do not want to commit to a longer course. The short session, one-to-one instruction and follow-up snorkeling make a sensible first try. It also suits anyone who wants a boat outing that includes both a guided underwater experience and time to explore the surface.

It is less suitable if you want hours underwater, need hotel transport or prefer a fully private trip. The 2.5-hour duration is convenient, but the scuba portion is limited to 20 minutes, and the experience requires you to meet the stated health rules. The medical certificate requirement is not a detail to leave until check-in.

Medaqua offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve without paying immediately. Those options help if your plans are still shifting, though you should still check available start times before settling on a day.

Should you book?

Book this if you want a supported first scuba experience in Montgrí’s protected waters, with snorkeling to extend your time at sea. The strongest reasons are the individual instructor guidance and the two-part format. Skip it if you are looking for a long scuba session, need pickup or have a health condition that makes participation uncertain. For a compact introduction at $92, it offers a practical way to test the waters.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The outing lasts 2.5 hours in total. The scuba session is up to 20 minutes, and the itinerary includes about 50 minutes of snorkeling.

Where does the activity start?

Check in at the Medaqua Snorkel Tours store in L’Estartit. The outing includes a short walk and a boat trip from the area.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the boat trip, instructor, scuba and snorkeling gear, safety briefing, 20-minute scuba session and snorkeling.

Do I need scuba experience?

No prior scuba experience is specified as necessary. The activity is designed as a beginner’s first session and includes an introduction and safety briefing.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, swimwear, a towel and sunscreen.

What languages are available?

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

Are there medical restrictions?

People with asthma, epilepsy, lung disease, heart problems, perforated eardrums, diabetes or vascular diseases must present a specific medical certificate. People who have suffered a pneumothorax cannot participate, and the activity is not suitable for pregnant women.

What happens if I damage or lose equipment?

Any equipment that you break, damage or lose must be paid for by you.