From L’Estartit: Snorkeling Trip to the Medes Islands

Just a mile off L’Estartit, the protected Medes Islands offer a rare chance to see Mediterranean sea life from the water, not through a boat window. I like that you get about 50 minutes of guided snorkeling and that your mask, fins, wetsuit and life vest are included.

I also like the small-group approach in the water: you enter in groups of eight to ten, with a guide nearby to point out good spots and help you feel at ease. The trade-off is that the snorkel itself is a modest slice of a 2 to 2.5-hour outing, and visibility or currents can change with the weather.

At a glance

• Seven islands, one marine reserve: The Medes archipelago sits about a mile from L’Estartit beach.
• Guided groups of eight to ten: You snorkel with a guide who can help you find fish and stay on course.
• Gear is included: Mask, fins, wetsuit and life vest are provided, along with a personal snorkel tube you can keep.
• A short boat ride: The islands are close to shore, so the outing spends less time in transit and more time on the water.
• Wildlife varies: Fish and marine plants are the point, but the number and variety you see depend on conditions.
• Bring your own basics: Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and drinks. Food is not included.

Why the Medes Islands are worth seeing from the water

The Medes Islands are a small archipelago of seven islands within a protected marine reserve. From L’Estartit, the boat ride is short, but the change in setting is immediate: you leave the beach and head toward rocky islands and clear Mediterranean water, with the Costa Brava still in view.

The reserve is the main reason to choose this trip over a simple boat ride. You get to look beneath the surface, where fish move through marine plants and rocky formations. Sightings can include larger fish such as groupers or barracuda, as well as smaller species. Starfish have also been seen on trips, but no particular animal is guaranteed.

This is a snorkel outing, not a natural-history lecture or a scuba excursion. Your guide leads the group to good viewing spots and keeps an eye on the swimmers. Some guides have also shared information about the islands and marine life, though the amount of commentary can vary. If you want a focused lesson on ecology, ask what the guide will cover before you set off.

From Medaqua to the islands

The meeting point is the Medaqua activity center in L’Estartit. You need to exchange your voucher at the office before the tour, so arrive with time to check in and get fitted for equipment rather than appearing at the last minute in your swimsuit.

The published route includes a short walk and a roughly 10-minute boat transfer. The boat is small, and the nearby islands make this a quick trip out rather than a long cruise. That is useful if you would rather spend your time in the water, though the brief ride means this is not primarily a sightseeing cruise.

Once you reach the archipelago, the guide gives a safety and ecology briefing and explains how the equipment works. This is a worthwhile pause, especially if you have never used a snorkel or are taking a child who is new to swimming with one. The trip is described as suitable for a range of abilities, and guides have used swim rings to give people a place to rest. Still, being comfortable in the water matters.

The guide then takes the group into the sea in clusters of about eight to ten people. That size gives you a better chance of keeping the guide in sight than a single large group, although you will still need to move at the group’s pace. If you are nervous, tell the guide before getting in. A calm start can make the difference between spending the whole session watching from the surface and relaxing enough to look around.

What the 50-minute snorkel feels like

The planned snorkel lasts about 50 minutes. That is long enough to settle into the rhythm of breathing through the tube and scan the rocks and plants, but it is not an extended expedition. You are following a guide, not roaming freely across the reserve, which brings reassurance and direction but limits independent exploring.

Expect the sea to set the tone. On a clear, calm day, fish can be easy to spot, and the water may feel like a window into the reserve. Clouds, rain or a change in sea conditions can reduce visibility. Currents have also been reported in the area, so keep close to your guide and take the safety instructions seriously.

The guides supply a wetsuit, and you can use it even when the weather feels warm. It helps you stay comfortable in the water, but it can feel hot while you are on the boat in summer. Ask whether wearing it is optional for your departure, and decide based on your comfort and the conditions. Your mask, fins and life vest are included as well.

You receive a personal snorkel tube to use and keep afterward. That is a useful touch: you have your own mouthpiece for the activity, and it becomes a small souvenir rather than another item to return. Treat all equipment carefully, since broken, damaged or lost gear must be paid for by the participant.

Time on deck and the return cruise

After snorkeling, you return to the boat for time to swim or relax on deck. This gives you a chance to catch your breath, dry off a little and enjoy the island views without a mask on. The exact feel of this pause may depend on the day’s schedule and sea conditions, so do not count on a long, independent swim after the guided session.

When the weather allows, the boat makes a short cruise around the islands before heading back to the harbor. That final look from the water adds context to what you have just seen below it. A cave has featured on some trips, but it is not a guaranteed part of the stated route, so treat it as a possible extra rather than the reason to book.

The whole activity takes between two and two and a half hours. Its compact length makes it easy to fit into a day in L’Estartit, but plan around the full window rather than assuming you will be back exactly two hours after departure. The schedule can be shaped by conditions and the flow of the group.

Is $45 a fair price?

At $45 per person, this is good value if you want a guided introduction to the Medes reserve and do not own snorkeling gear. The price includes the boat outing, guide, mask, fins, wetsuit and life vest. You also keep the personal snorkel tube. Renting or buying all that gear separately could make a self-guided visit less convenient, even before you consider how to reach the islands.

The value depends on what you expect from the time in the water. You are paying for a managed trip to the reserve, gear and a guide, not for a long private snorkel or a guarantee of spectacular wildlife. If visibility is poor or the sea is unsettled, the natural setting may not show at its best. The boat ride and island scenery still form part of the outing, but the underwater portion is the central draw.

Food and drinks are not included. Bring water or another drink, especially on a warm day, along with sunscreen, swimwear and a towel. Smoking and feeding animals are not allowed.

Who will enjoy this trip most

This outing suits first-time snorkelers, families with children who are comfortable in the water, and anyone who wants a straightforward way to reach the marine reserve. Families have taken children as young as six, and guides have helped nervous beginners build confidence. That is encouraging, but it does not replace checking whether your own child is ready to follow instructions and stay with a group in open water.

It is also a good choice if you want more than a boat ride but do not need an all-day activity. The equipment is provided, the islands are close to shore, and the guide handles the route. You can focus on looking around rather than working out where to go.

It is less suited to someone who wants complete freedom to snorkel alone, a long session in the sea, or a guaranteed list of species. The group moves together, the guided snorkel is about 50 minutes, and sightings change with the day. People with mobility impairments are listed as not suitable for the activity, even though it is also marked wheelchair accessible. If access is important to your plans, contact Medaqua to clarify what the full outing involves.

Practical details before you book

Medaqua’s instructors speak Catalan, English, French and Spanish. Guides named Frieda and Regina have led past trips, though you should not expect a particular person on your departure. The most consistent strength of the operation is its attention to equipment, clear instructions and keeping an eye on the group.

Parking is worth sorting out before you arrive. There is a large free sandy car park near the beach, while the lot directly across from the activity office has been described as private for the nautical club. Do not assume the closest spaces are available to tour participants.

You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance. Check the available departure times when booking, and keep some flexibility in your day for weather. Conditions affect visibility and can shorten or change the water portion.

Should you book the Medes Islands snorkel?

Book this trip if you want an affordable, guided taste of a protected Mediterranean marine reserve, with the main gear supplied and a short boat ride from L’Estartit. The small groups, safety focus and help for beginners make it a practical choice for families and first-timers.

Skip it if you want a long, self-directed snorkel or need certainty about visibility and wildlife. For most people who are happy to follow a guide and take the sea as it comes, it is a worthwhile way to trade a couple of hours on the beach for a closer look at the Medes Islands.

FAQ

How long does the snorkeling trip take?

The activity lasts between two and two and a half hours. The guided snorkeling portion is about 50 minutes.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the Medaqua activity center in L’Estartit. Exchange your voucher at the office before the tour begins.

How far are the Medes Islands from L’Estartit?

The seven-island archipelago is about a mile from L’Estartit beach. The boat transfer is roughly 10 minutes.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes snorkeling gear, a wetsuit and a life vest. You also receive a personal snorkel tube, which you can keep.

What should I bring?

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

What languages do the guides speak?

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

Is the trip suitable for children?

Children have taken part, including young first-time snorkelers. The supplied information does not give a minimum age, so check with Medaqua if you are booking for a child.

Can I keep the snorkel tube?

Yes. The personal snorkel tube is yours to keep after the activity.

Is the activity accessible for people with mobility impairments?

The activity is marked wheelchair accessible, but it is also listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments. Contact Medaqua to confirm whether the full activity will meet your needs.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.