Guided Boat Tour to Medes Islands & Roca Foradada with Swim

The best part of this 1.5-hour outing is the view from the water. From Medaqua in L’Estartit, you cruise past the Medes Islands, rocky coves, and the cliffs of Roca Foradada, where the Costa Brava feels much wilder than it does from shore. A swim stop adds a useful burst of fun, though it may last only 10 to 15 minutes.

I like two things here: the trip is short enough to fit into a busy day, and the boat gives you access to coastal scenery that is hard to see from land. The price of $28 per person is fair for a boat ride with a skipper, guide, and life jacket. The main drawback is that the guiding can be hard to hear, and the sightseeing commentary may be lighter than the word guided suggests.

Key points before you book

• Roca Foradada is the scenic payoff: The route continues beyond the Medes Islands to this striking rock formation and its surrounding cliffs.
• The swim stop is brief: Plan on roughly 10 to 15 minutes in the water, not a long snorkeling session.
• The marine reserve is the setting: The waters around the Medes Islands protect marine plants, fish, and fragile underwater habitats.
• You may need to listen closely: Boat noise can make spoken information difficult to hear, especially without a microphone.
• The trip is easy to fit into your day: It lasts 1.5 hours and begins and ends at Medaqua.
• Check the final price and equipment details: The advertised rate is $28 per person, but one booking issue involved a much higher total, and swim equipment availability should be confirmed.

Cruising out from L’Estartit

You begin at Medaqua, the departure point in L’Estartit. The route is simple: a short walk of about five minutes leads to the boat, then you return to the same base after the coastal loop.

I like this setup because there is no long transfer from a hotel or distant town. You arrange your own way to Medaqua, so the trip works best if you are already staying in or near L’Estartit. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and neither are food or drinks.

The boat heads into the calm waters of the Montgrí Natural Park. This protected coastal area gives the ride more purpose than a basic harbor cruise. You are not only looking at cliffs from offshore. You are passing through a protected setting where the rock formations, coves, and sea are part of a wider natural reserve.

The trip lasts 90 minutes in total, so the pace is fairly quick. You will see several sights without spending half a day at sea. The tradeoff is that the boat cannot linger everywhere. If you want long stops for photographs, quiet swimming, or detailed explanations, this will feel short.

Seeing the Medes Islands from the sea

The Medes Islands are the central feature of the trip. Their rocky forms sit off the Costa Brava and are surrounded by protected water. From the boat, you can look toward the islands, the coast, and the sea below while the guide explains the area in English, Spanish, French, or Catalan.

The reserve matters because the underwater environment is more than a pleasant backdrop. It shelters marine plants, colorful fish, and other species in a fragile ecosystem. Even if you do not see much below the surface, you are visiting a place managed for its natural value.

Keep your expectations realistic. This is not described as a glass-bottom boat tour, and the trip does not promise a full snorkeling session at the islands. One booking party expected to snorkel near the Medes Islands but instead swam along the coast. If seeing underwater life is your main goal, ask exactly where the swim will take place before booking.

The guide is part of the value, but the quality of the commentary depends on where you sit and how noisy the boat is. Spoken information has been difficult to hear on some outings because there was no microphone. I would sit close to the guide and avoid treating the tour as a formal lecture. Think of it as a scenic boat ride with live explanation, not a detailed natural science lesson.

Hidden coves and the Montgrí coast

After or around the island visit, the boat follows the Montgrí coast. Rocky formations open into small coves that are difficult to appreciate from a road or beach. Their appeal comes from the angle: you see the cliffs rising directly from the sea, with small inlets tucked between the stone.

This is where the trip feels most different from a standard beach day. You are not simply being taken to a swimming area. You are using the sea as a route along a section of coast shaped by cliffs, rock, and sheltered bays.

The views are likely to be the most dependable part of the experience. Even on a cloudy day, the cliffs and coves still provide a worthwhile setting, though sunlight makes the water and rock colors more striking. The boat ride also gives you time to watch the Estartit coast recede and return as the route bends around the shore.

The tour description includes walking, hiking, and sailing language, but you should expect a boat excursion rather than a land hike. The only stated walk is the short five-minute route from the meeting point to the boat. There is no separate coastal walking segment.

Reaching Roca Foradada

The route continues to Roca Foradada, one of the most distinctive points on the outing. The name refers to a rock with an opening, and the formation is presented as the final scenic goal of the cruise.

Roca Foradada gives the trip a clear finish. Instead of circling near the departure point, you travel along the coast toward a specific landmark. The cliffs around it help you understand the scale of the Montgrí shore, where the rock drops directly toward the sea.

You will have time for photographs, but do not assume a long stop on land. This is a boat-based visit, so the point is to see the formation from the water and take in the surrounding cliffs. If you prefer a tour built around one landmark with detailed historical narration, you may find the commentary too limited. If you want a compact outing with changing coastal views, the route works well.

What the swim stop is really like

The swim stop is a welcome feature, but it needs a little context. Several accounts put the time in the water at about 10 minutes, with some describing 10 to 15 minutes. That is enough for a quick plunge and a look below the surface, but not enough for a relaxed snorkeling session.

The water is part of the attraction. You may see fish and marine plants, especially in the protected waters around the islands and nearby coast. Still, visibility depends on conditions, and the tour does not guarantee a particular amount of marine life.

Some outings have included masks and snorkels for the swim. Since the formal inclusions list names the boat ride, skipper, official guide, and life jacket but does not clearly promise snorkeling gear, I would confirm this before departure. You may also bring any personal equipment you prefer, but damaged or lost equipment must be paid for.

There is a second point to check: life jacket availability during the swim. A life jacket is listed as included, but one family reported that a child could not swim because a suitable jacket was not available. If anyone in your group needs flotation equipment, ask the operator to confirm it before boarding.

The short swim makes this outing a better match for people who want a quick dip than for serious snorkelers. I would bring a swimsuit, towel, and sun protection, but remember that food and drinks are not provided.

How good is the guiding?

The guide speaks English, Spanish, French, or Catalan, depending on the departure and group. That language range is useful for mixed groups, and several descriptions point to a friendly guide and a pleasant family outing.

The weak point is presentation. The boat engine and wind can make it hard to hear explanations, particularly when the guide has no microphone. You may receive useful information about the local fauna, but you should not count on a detailed account of the islands, the lighthouse, Roca Foradada, or the reserve.

I would book this for the scenery first and the commentary second. If the operator improves the sound system or keeps the boat quiet during explanations, the experience would offer more educational value. At present, you may need to piece together the story while looking at the coast yourself.

That is not a reason to reject the trip. It is simply a reason to set the right expectation. You get a guided ride, but the strongest part is the physical setting rather than a long, polished narration.

Is $28 a fair price?

At $28 per person, the tour offers reasonable value for a 90-minute boat trip with a skipper, guide, and life jacket. You also get access to the Medes Islands, the protected marine reserve, the Montgrí coast, the coves, and Roca Foradada without arranging a private boat.

The value drops if you book mainly for snorkeling. The swim is short, and the exact location may not be the Medes Islands themselves. It also drops if you expect a full historical or ecological presentation. In that case, a more specialized boat may suit you better, particularly one with a glass bottom or a stronger underwater focus.

Watch the booking total carefully. One failed outing involved a reported payment of €80 and confusion over the meeting point, even though the listed price for this experience is $28 per person. That does not establish the normal cost, but it is a good reason to check the number of participants, currency, meeting instructions, and final amount before paying.

The tour allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve while paying later. Those policies help if your Costa Brava plans are still changing.

Who will enjoy this boat trip?

I would recommend it to families, couples, and short-stay visitors who want a simple look at the Costa Brava from the water. The 1.5-hour length is especially useful if you want to leave time for a beach, a meal, or another activity in L’Estartit.

It also suits you if you enjoy coastal scenery but do not want a full-day excursion. The ride includes a swim without making the entire schedule revolve around getting in the water.

The tour is less suitable if you want any of the following:

• A long swim or serious snorkeling session
• Guaranteed snorkeling at the Medes Islands
• A glass-bottom view of the sea
• Detailed information about the lighthouse, geology, and wildlife
• A quiet boat with clearly amplified commentary
• Hotel pickup and drop-off

The boat is listed as wheelchair accessible, which makes it a useful option for some visitors who need an accessible activity. You should still confirm the exact boarding arrangements with Medaqua before arrival, since the supplied information does not describe the ramp or transfer process.

Practical advice for a smoother outing

Arrive with enough time to find Medaqua and make the five-minute walk to the boat. Meeting-point confusion caused one serious problem, so do not rely only on a vague map pin. Read the departure instructions carefully and confirm the exact boat and meeting location with the operator.

Bring water, since drinks are not included. A swimsuit and towel make sense even if you are unsure about swimming, and a hat or other sun protection will help on the open boat.

For the best chance of hearing the guide, sit near the speaking area and listen during the slower parts of the route. You may also want to take photographs first and then put your phone away during the swim stop. The trip is short, so every minute matters.

A tapas menu at a nearby restaurant may be available as an extra, but it is not included in the basic boat trip. Treat it as a separate option rather than part of the tour.

Should you book the Medes Islands and Roca Foradada tour?

I would book this if you want an affordable, short boat ride with strong coastal views, a protected marine reserve, and a quick swim. The scenery, friendly service, and easy 90-minute format make it a sensible addition to a Costa Brava stay.

I would choose another excursion if your priority is underwater viewing or detailed guiding. Before booking, confirm the swim location, masks and snorkels, life jacket supply, meeting point, and final price. With those details clear, this is a pleasant way to see the Montgrí coast from the water without giving up most of your day.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour begin?

The tour begins at Medaqua in L’Estartit. From the starting point, you walk for about five minutes to reach the boat, then return to Medaqua at the end.

How long does the experience last?

The boat outing lasts 1.5 hours, including the route through the Medes Islands and the stop for swimming.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The tour includes a stop for swimming, but the swim may last only about 10 to 15 minutes.

Are snorkeling masks and snorkels included?

The formal inclusions list does not specifically guarantee masks and snorkels. Some outings have provided them, so you should confirm equipment details with Medaqua before departure.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the boat ride, skipper, official guide, and life jacket. Food, drinks, hotel pickup, and hotel drop-off are not included.

What languages are available?

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

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.