Explore the Medes Islands & Discover the Magic of Estartit!

The Medes Islands are the main event: a protected marine park seen from a catamaran, with underwater windows that let you watch the seabed without getting wet. From Roses, the five-hour outing also crosses the bay past the Montgrí Massif and gives you time ashore in El Estartit.

I like two things here: the views change from open water and coastal cliffs to the island seabed, and the stop in El Estartit breaks up the boat ride with time to wander. The multilingual phone audio guide is useful, too, especially if you want context without relying on a live guide.

One point to check before you go: the advertised Medes Islands and El Estartit route has occasionally been replaced by a trip to Cadaqués. Confirm the destination with the dock staff on the day, and keep expectations measured for the underwater viewing, where the fish and seabed may look small from the boat.

Key points to know before you sail

• The Medes Islands are viewed from underwater windows: You can access the catamaran’s viewing rooms to look at the marine environment below the surface.
• El Estartit is the main shore stop: You get time to visit the port town, and Thursdays bring its weekly market.
• The five-hour route covers a long stretch of coast: Expect Roses Bay, Cala Montgó, the Medes Islands, El Estartit, and the Gulf of Roses on the return.
• The scenery is a big part of the outing: Watch for the sleeping-bishop outline of the Montgrí Massif and the coastal cave called Foradada.
• The trip is not ideal for everyone: It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the route can vary.
• The $53 fare includes several practical extras: The boat tour, multilingual phone audio guide, and bar service are included.

What the five-hour route feels like

This is a boat excursion, not a fast transfer to one attraction. The trip begins at one of two Roses departure points, Avinguda de la Bocana, 2, or Av. de Rhode, 139. Your exact meeting point depends on the option booked, so check your confirmation rather than assuming both boats leave from the same quay.

The day’s appeal lies in the changing views and the contrast between time underway and time ashore. You spend much of the outing on the water, with the Medes Islands and El Estartit as the central stops. The coastal return adds more scenery, but it also means this is a substantial stretch of boat time. If you prefer short rides or want to spend most of the day walking around one town, this may not be the right fit.

The supplied schedule describes a five-hour visit that includes the boat cruise and time for walking or hiking around El Estartit. It does not specify how long you have on shore, so plan to use that stop flexibly rather than counting on a particular activity or a long, unhurried visit.

Across Roses Bay, with Montgrí on the horizon

The outbound crossing takes you south across Roses Bay. Look inland for the Montgrí Massif, whose profile is said to resemble a sleeping bishop stretched along the ground, with its toes pointing toward the Mediterranean. It is a striking landmark from the water, and a good reason to look back toward shore as well as out to sea.

The boat also passes Cala Montgó, where the coast becomes a more immediate part of the view. The route includes Foradada, a cave whose Catalan name means holed. In the right conditions, a boat may pass through its opening. That possibility is a bonus, not something to build your day around, but it gives you a clear feature to watch for as the catamaran travels along the coast.

This stretch is useful for setting the scene. You see how the bay connects Roses with the Montgrí coast before reaching the marine park. If you like coastal geography, the route makes more sense than a simple point-to-point crossing: the boat follows a varied edge of coves, rock and open water.

Looking below the catamaran at the Medes Islands

The Medes Islands are protected as a marine natural park, and the catamaran’s underwater viewing rooms give you a way to see the seabed without entering the water. You can go below to look through the windows at the marine life beneath the boat. It is an easy, low-effort way to add an underwater element to a boat trip, particularly if swimming is not part of your plans.

Keep your expectations realistic. A view through a boat window is not the same as snorkeling or diving, and visibility and marine life can vary. One account of the trip described the seabed as shallow, around three metres, with only small fish in view. That is a useful reminder: the experience may be a brief look at the underwater world rather than a dramatic display of large sea life.

The viewing rooms are still a distinctive feature, especially for families or anyone curious about the marine park but not keen to get in the water. I would treat them as one stop in a broader coastal outing, not the sole reason to book. The island scenery, the open-water cruise, and the time in El Estartit all contribute to the day.

El Estartit: a port town pause

The boat calls at the port of El Estartit, where you can leave the catamaran and visit the town at your own pace. This is the most independent part of the trip. You are not being led through a fixed list of sights; you can simply walk, take in the waterfront, and enjoy a break from the boat.

On Thursdays, El Estartit has its weekly market. If your sailing falls on that day, the market gives the stop an extra local angle. The market is not guaranteed to fit every departure, of course, and the precise time available ashore is not stated, so keep your plans modest. If you want to browse slowly, ask how long the boat will remain in port before setting off.

This pause matters because five hours on a boat can feel long if the day never changes pace. A town visit gives you a chance to stretch your legs and choose your own activity. The trade-off is that the stop is self-directed, so it may not satisfy you if you want a guided walking tour or a detailed introduction to local history.

The return through the Gulf of Roses

On the way back, the catamaran sails past L’Escala and enters the Gulf of Roses. The route continues by Sant Martí d’Empúries, Sant Pere Pescador, the beach at Empuriabrava, and La Rubina before reaching Santa Margarita and Roses.

That sequence gives the return trip its own interest. Rather than retracing the outbound route, you see more of the gulf’s coastline and settlements from offshore. Keep an eye on the shore as the boat passes the beaches and ports; the changing view helps make the return leg feel like part of the outing rather than simply the ride home.

Dolphins have been spotted on this circuit, but sightings are not promised. Enjoy the coast for what it is, and count a dolphin encounter as good fortune rather than an expected feature.

Audio guide, bar service, and comfort on board

The included audio guide works on your phone and is available in Catalan, Spanish, French, English, Italian, German, Dutch, and Russian. That range makes the trip accessible to many language groups, though it is an audio guide rather than a named, live guide. Bring a charged phone if you plan to use it, since the guide is intended for personal devices.

There is also a bar service on board. The details of the menu and prices are not provided, so do not assume that food or drinks are included in the ticket. The service is a convenience during a five-hour trip, but you may want to check what is available before relying on it for a meal.

The boat is described as a catamaran, and one reaction to the trip was that it felt very large. If you are hoping for a small-group sailing experience, this may not be the atmosphere you have in mind. The vessel’s size is part of the practical nature of the outing, but it can make the trip feel less intimate than a small boat ride.

What $53 buys you

At $53 per person, the price covers a five-hour boat tour, access to the underwater viewing rooms, a multilingual audio guide, and bar service. The value depends on what you want from the day. If you enjoy being on the water and see the coastal passage itself as part of the experience, the fare covers a substantial outing with several distinct views and a shore stop.

If your main aim is close-up marine wildlife, the value is less certain. Viewing through underwater windows can be interesting, but it cannot guarantee clear water or much to see. Likewise, if you mainly want a guided visit to El Estartit, this trip gives you free time rather than a structured town tour.

The option to reserve now and pay later, along with free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead, adds flexibility. Check the booking details for the exact departure point and confirm the route on the day, since the Medes and El Estartit itinerary has not always been followed.

Who is likely to enjoy this trip

I would choose this outing if I wanted a broad view of the coast without arranging separate transport to the Medes Islands and El Estartit. It suits people who enjoy a long boat ride, want a simple way to look at the marine park, and appreciate having a little time to explore a port town independently.

It can also work well for mixed-age groups who want an activity that combines scenery and a short shore visit. The underwater windows mean you do not need to swim to see something of the seabed. Still, the boat trip takes up most of the five hours, and the view below may be modest, so it is best for people who are content to enjoy the overall journey.

This is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. If mobility is a concern, check directly with the operator before booking, since the available details do not describe boarding arrangements or access inside the boat.

Should you book the Medes Islands catamaran?

Book it if you value a coastal cruise with several kinds of scenery, want a look at the Medes Islands from underwater windows, and like having time to wander in El Estartit. The Thursday market is a useful extra if your schedule happens to match.

Skip it if you expect a small boat, a guaranteed wildlife spectacle, or a deeply guided visit on land. Before setting out, confirm that the boat is heading to the Medes Islands and El Estartit rather than Cadaqués, and check which Roses departure point applies to your booking. With those expectations in place, the trip offers a practical way to see a long stretch of the Costa Brava from the water.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran trip?

The outing lasts five hours.

Where does the boat depart from?

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

What can I see at the Medes Islands?

The catamaran has underwater viewing rooms where you can look at the seabed and marine life in the Medes Islands marine park.

Is there time to visit El Estartit?

Yes. The boat stops at the port of El Estartit, where you can go ashore and visit the town at your leisure.

When is the El Estartit weekly market?

The weekly market takes place on Thursdays.

What languages are available for the audio guide?

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

Is a bar service included?

A bar service is available on board. The information provided does not specify which items are offered or whether they cost extra.

What sights are included on the boat route?

The described route passes Roses Bay, the Montgrí Massif, Cala Montgó, Foradada, the Medes Islands, El Estartit, L’Escala, Sant Martí d’Empúries, Sant Pere Pescador, Empuriabrava, La Rubina, Santa Margarita, and Roses.

Is the trip suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is listed as not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.