From L’Estartit: Snorkeling Trip to the Medes Islands

The best part of this 2.5-hour Medes Islands trip is the setting: seven protected islands just a mile from L’Estartit, with clear Mediterranean water, fish, marine plants, and rocky underwater scenery. You get a guided snorkel rather than simply being dropped offshore and left to find your way.

I like the small guided groups of 8 to 10 and the fact that a wetsuit, mask, fins, vest, and personal snorkel tube are included. The crew also takes safety seriously, which matters if you are introducing a child or nervous beginner to snorkeling. The main drawback is that sea conditions can change the experience, and some outings may feel short if weather or visibility turns poor.

Key points to know before you book

• Seven islands close to shore: The Medes archipelago sits about a mile from L’Estartit, so the boat ride is short and leaves plenty of time for the water.
• Fifty minutes with a guide: You snorkel in groups of 8 to 10 while an instructor points out good places to see fish and marine plants.
• Equipment is included: You receive a mask, fins, wetsuit, flotation vest, and a personal snorkel tube to keep.
• Good for families and first-timers: Guides such as Regina and Frieda have been especially attentive with children and nervous swimmers.
• Weather affects visibility: Cloud, rain, current, and storms can reduce what you see or shorten the outing.
• More than snorkeling: After the guided session, you have time to swim or lie on the deck, followed by a short cruise around the islands when conditions allow.

Why the Medes Islands are a fine place to snorkel

The Medes Islands are a group of seven small islands off the Costa Brava, close enough to L’Estartit for a quick boat trip but far enough from the beach to feel like a proper sea outing. Their protected waters support marine plants, schools of fish, and underwater rock formations.

You should set your expectations correctly. This is not a scuba course or a full-day wildlife expedition. It is a short, friendly introduction to the marine reserve, with time to enjoy the coast above water as well as below it.

On a good day, you might see groupers, barracuda, starfish, smaller fish, coral, and rocky formations. The amount of sea life depends on the season, water clarity, weather, and current. One outing can feel like swimming through a fish tank, while another may offer only ordinary numbers of small fish. That variation is part of snorkeling in the open sea, not a promise of an aquarium visit.

Starting at Medaqua in L’Estartit

Your day begins at the Medaqua activity center. Bring your voucher to the office and exchange it before the activity starts. This is not the place to arrive at the last second, since you need time to check in, collect equipment, and get ready.

You should bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and drinking water. Food and drinks are not included, so have water with you before leaving the harbor. Smoking and feeding animals are not allowed.

Parking deserves attention. A large car park is available near the beach, but the car park directly across from the office is private for the nautical club. If you arrive by car, do not assume the closest spaces are public. Leave enough time to park farther away and walk to Medaqua.

The activity is described as wheelchair accessible, but it is also marked as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments. Those statements do not fully match, so you should contact the operator before booking if you need help with walking, boarding, or water access.

The ten-minute walk and short boat ride

After check-in, you walk for about ten minutes to the boat. This is a minor part of the outing, but it is useful to know if you are carrying a towel, wearing sandals, or helping children with their gear.

Before boarding, the instructor gives an eco-briefing. You learn how the mask, fins, wetsuit, vest, and snorkel work, along with the rules for protecting the reserve. Feeding the fish is forbidden, and you should avoid touching marine life or damaging plants and rock surfaces.

The instructors speak Catalan, English, French, and Spanish. That range makes the activity accessible to many international visitors, and the basic safety talk is designed for people with different levels of experience.

The boat ride to the islands takes about ten minutes. It is short enough that you do not lose much of your 2.5-hour outing to transport. The Medes Islands soon become the focus, with the coast of L’Estartit behind you and open sea around the boat.

Getting fitted with the right equipment

The price is $45 per person, and that includes the main equipment you need. You receive a mask, fins, wetsuit, flotation vest, and a personal snorkel tube. The tube is new for each participant and can be kept as a souvenir when the activity ends.

That personal tube is a thoughtful detail. It also means you do not need to bring your own snorkeling gear unless you prefer to use it. The included wetsuit is useful even in warm weather because it keeps you comfortable during a long session in the water.

There is one practical catch. Some people find the wetsuit hot during the boat ride, especially on a sunny day. You can ask the staff whether you need to wear it immediately or put it on later, since feedback from the activity indicates that wearing it during the ride may be optional.

Treat the equipment carefully. Any item that is broken, damaged, or lost must be paid for by the participant. Keep track of your mask and fins when you return to the boat.

Fifty minutes among fish and marine plants

At the Medes Islands, you enter the water in groups of 8 to 10 with an instructor. The guide leads the group toward the better viewing spots and keeps an eye on the swimmers. The boat remains nearby, and flotation aids are available for anyone who needs a rest.

The guided session lasts about 50 minutes. That is enough time for a first snorkeling experience and gives you a real chance to get comfortable with breathing through the tube. It may feel brief if you already snorkel often, particularly when several people need help or the group moves at a gentle pace.

The guide’s role matters here. A good instructor helps you adjust your mask, points out fish, watches the group, and notices when someone is tiring. Families have found this especially useful with children. Regina has been praised for staying close to a shy six-year-old who was trying snorkeling for the first time, while Frieda carefully supported a nervous swimmer until she gained confidence.

You do not need to be an expert swimmer, but you should be comfortable entering the sea. The flotation vest provides extra support, and the guides work with different abilities. If you do not know how to use a snorkel, say so during the briefing and ask for a short demonstration before entering the water.

The underwater views can include colorful fish, larger species such as groupers and barracuda, marine plants, coral, and rock formations. Some trips also visit a cave, although that should not be treated as guaranteed. Current can be noticeable around the islands, so stay with the guide rather than swimming off alone.

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

After the guided snorkel, you return to the boat. The pace changes from instruction to free time, with an opportunity to swim, rest, or sunbathe on deck.

This pause is valuable for families and mixed groups. Stronger swimmers can enjoy the water, while anyone who has had enough can dry off and sit in the sun. You are not required to spend every minute in the sea.

The amount of free time may vary. The stated duration is between two and two and a half hours, and weather can affect the schedule. One older account found the independent swim shorter than expected, so do not book this trip mainly for a long period of unsupervised swimming. The guided 50-minute session is the dependable heart of the activity.

If rain arrives, the outing may still be enjoyable, but clouds and storms can darken the water and reduce visibility. A storm at sea may also mean less time in the water. The crew’s safety decisions should take priority over a fixed timetable.

A short cruise around the seven islands

When weather permits, the boat makes a short cruise around the archipelago before returning to L’Estartit. This gives you a better sense of the Medes Islands as a protected group rather than just a single snorkeling site.

I like this part because it rounds out the experience. You get time below the surface, a chance to relax, and a view of the islands from the boat. If snorkeling is not your entire family’s idea of fun, the cruise and deck time help make the outing more balanced.

Do not expect a long sightseeing voyage. The boat transfer is short, and the island cruise is described as brief. The value comes from combining several simple pleasures in one trip, not from spending hours at sea.

How the $45 price works out

At $45, this is good value if you need equipment and want a guided introduction to the reserve. The price includes an instructor, boat trip, snorkeling gear, flotation vest, wetsuit, and a personal snorkel tube. Renting those items separately and arranging transport to the islands would likely be less convenient, even before adding a guide.

The price is less compelling if you only want to sit on a boat or spend most of the day swimming independently. This is an active outing with a set route and a 50-minute guided water session. You are paying for supervision, equipment, transport, and access to a protected marine area.

For a family, the safety support adds real value. Guides keep groups together, the boat stays close, and flotation aids are available. For experienced snorkelers, the small groups and marine reserve setting are more important than the basic instruction.

The free cancellation policy allows you to cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Costa Brava plans are still shifting. Check the available starting times before you commit, since the activity lasts about 2 to 2.5 hours.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this outing for families with children, first-time snorkelers, and anyone who wants a short sea activity without organizing equipment. The guides have worked well with children as young as six and with adults who felt unsure in the water.

It also suits couples or friends who want something more active than a standard boat cruise. You get a guided look at the marine reserve, then enough deck time to relax.

Strong swimmers who want a long, independent session may find the format restrictive. The group follows an instructor, and the activity may end sooner than expected if conditions worsen. If your main goal is photography, ask about underwater photos in advance. An underwater camera has been used on some outings, but photo sharing is not listed as part of the included service.

The trip is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments according to the supplied activity information. If you have access needs, confirm the exact boarding and water arrangements with Medaqua before paying.

My practical advice for a better outing

Arrive early enough to exchange your voucher, find parking, and get fitted without rushing. Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel, sunscreen, and water.

Ask about the wetsuit before boarding if the day is hot. It can make the water session much more comfortable, but wearing it on deck during the ride may feel warm.

If you are nervous, tell the instructor. The strongest part of this activity is the personal attention in the water, especially in the smaller groups. Stay close to the guide and use the flotation aid when you need a break.

Keep your expectations tied to nature. Clear water may reveal plenty of fish, but clouds, rain, current, and seasonal conditions can change the view. You might see groupers, barracuda, a starfish, coral, or a cave, but no operator can promise a particular animal or perfect visibility.

Should you book the Medes Islands snorkeling trip?

Book it if you want a well-supported family snorkeling outing with equipment included, a short boat ride, and a protected marine setting close to L’Estartit. The $45 price is fair for the gear, wetsuit, personal tube, guide, and boat time.

Skip it if you want a full-day excursion, a long independent swim, or guaranteed calm water and abundant wildlife. The sea sets the schedule here.

For most beginners and families, I think this is a sensible Costa Brava activity. The guides make the difference, the reserve offers a striking setting, and the mix of snorkeling, swimming, sun, and a short island cruise gives you more than a simple ride around the bay.

FAQ

Where does the Medes Islands snorkeling trip start?

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

How long does the activity last?

The activity lasts between two and two and a half hours. The listed duration is 2.5 hours, but the exact length can vary.

How far are the Medes Islands from L’Estartit?

The Medes Islands are located about one mile from L’Estartit beach. The boat ride to the archipelago takes about ten minutes.

How long do I snorkel?

The guided snorkeling session lasts about 50 minutes. Afterward, you have time to swim or relax on the boat.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The package includes snorkeling gear, a flotation vest, and a wetsuit. You also receive a personal snorkel tube that you can keep.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, drinks, and sunscreen. Food and drinks are not included in the activity price.

What languages do the instructors speak?

The instructors speak Catalan, English, French, and Spanish.

Is the activity suitable for children?

The activity can suit children, and guides have supported children and first-time snorkelers. You should consider each child’s comfort in the sea and ability to follow safety instructions.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.

Are food and hotel transfers included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and the activity does not provide food or drinks.