Explore the Medes Islands & Discover the Magic of Estartit!

The best part of this five-hour cruise is the changing view from the water. You sail past the sleeping-bishop shape of the Montgrí Massif, Cala Montgó, and the sea cave called Foradada before reaching the Medes Islands Marine Natural Park. There, underwater viewing rooms let you watch the seabed without getting wet.

I like the combination of scenery and free time. You are not kept on the boat all day, since the stop at El Estartit gives you a chance to walk through town or visit its Thursday market. I also like the multilingual audio guide, which lets you follow the route in eight languages.

The main caution is that this is a large catamaran, not a quiet little sailing boat. The underwater windows show a shallow seabed, and the amount of marine life can vary. A few departures have also changed destination, so confirm that your sailing is still scheduled for El Estartit and the Medes Islands before boarding.

Key points to know before booking

• The route crosses Roses Bay: Look back toward the Montgrí Massif, then watch for Cala Montgó and the Foradada cave.
• The Medes Islands viewing rooms stay above water: You see the seabed through underwater windows rather than snorkeling.
• El Estartit is the main shore stop: You have time to walk around town, with a weekly market on Thursdays.
• The return route adds more coastal scenery: The boat passes L’Escala, Sant Martí d’Empúries, Sant Pere Pescador, Empuriabrava, and La Rovina.
• Eight audio-guide languages are available: Choose Catalan, Spanish, French, English, Italian, German, Dutch, or Russian on your phone.
• The $53 price buys a half-day outing: It works best for a relaxed coastal day, not for a serious wildlife trip or a small-boat cruise.

Setting out across Roses Bay

The cruise begins from one of two possible points in Roses: Avinguda de la Bocana, 2, or Av. de Rhode, 139. Your exact departure point depends on the option you book, so check the confirmation carefully rather than assuming you will board at the more convenient pier.

Once the catamaran leaves Roses, the first stretch is across the broad Bay of Roses. This is a pleasant way to see the coast from a new angle, especially if you have already spent time walking along the waterfront. The bay gives you open views toward the Montgrí Massif, the long mountain formation that resembles a person lying down.

The local comparison is a sleeping bishop. The shape becomes easier to see from offshore, where the mountain profile is not blocked by buildings or nearby hills. I would keep your camera ready during this early section, since the views change as the boat turns south.

The audio guide is available on your phone in Catalan, Dutch, English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Russian. It is a useful addition on a route with several place names, particularly if you want context while looking at the coastline. It also means the trip is not dependent on a single live guide speaking one language to the whole boat.

A bar service is available onboard. That matters on a five-hour sailing, since this is long enough for a drink or snack to become part of the day rather than a minor extra. The available information does not specify the menu or prices, so I would not book this as a food-focused cruise.

Cala Montgó and the Foradada cave

The catamaran sails in front of Cala Montgó, a coastal inlet that gives the route a more enclosed feel after the open water of Roses Bay. You then pass Foradada, whose name means holed in Catalan.

The cave has an opening through the rock. If conditions and the route line up, you may see another boat pass through it. That sight is not guaranteed, but it is one of the more memorable details on this part of the coast. Keep expectations sensible: the boat is showing you the coast from offshore, not taking you on a dedicated cave tour.

This section is best enjoyed from the outside deck if you want the full scale of the rock formations. The underwater viewing rooms become important later, at the Medes Islands. If you want both views, plan to move around the catamaran instead of staying in one seat for the entire trip.

Seeing the seabed at the Medes Islands

The Medes Islands are protected as part of a marine natural park. The catamaran gives you access to underwater viewing rooms, where you can look through windows at the seabed and marine life.

This is the central feature of the outing, but it helps to understand what it is and what it is not. You are not entering the water, snorkeling, or taking a small craft close to every rock. You remain inside the boat and watch through the glass.

The view can be interesting for children and for anyone who wants a simple introduction to the marine park. It also removes the need for swimming ability. The tradeoff is that the windows show only a limited section of seabed, and conditions affect how much you can see.

One report describes the viewing area as roughly three meters deep, with only small fish visible. That is a useful warning for anyone expecting a dramatic underwater spectacle. You might see marine life, but you should not book this as a substitute for snorkeling or scuba equipment.

The size of the boat also affects the mood. One dissatisfied passenger found the catamaran too large. I can understand that criticism: a big vessel carries more people and feels less personal than a small sailing trip. On the other hand, the larger format can be reassuring for people who prefer a stable boat with indoor viewing areas, a bar, and room to move.

Time ashore in El Estartit

After the Medes Islands, the boat reaches the port of El Estartit. This is your chance to leave the catamaran and explore on foot. The listed shore time is described as a visit, walk, and possible hike, but no specific walking route or guided town tour is provided.

That makes El Estartit a flexible stop. You can use it to stroll near the port, look around the town, or simply get off the boat and stretch your legs. If you prefer a planned cultural visit with a guide, this cruise may feel too loose. If you like having several hours with room to make your own choices, the stop is a good fit.

Thursday is the best day for the town stop if you enjoy markets, since El Estartit holds its weekly market then. The activity details do not specify the market’s size, opening hours, or exact location, so check locally once ashore. Still, the market gives Thursday departures a little more purpose than a standard walk around the port.

Bring comfortable shoes. The town stop is not only a quick photo break, and the itinerary allows time for walking. At the same time, the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, so anyone who needs step-free access or assistance should choose another coastal outing.

The return route through the Gulf of Roses

The return sail is more than a simple trip back to Roses. The boat passes in front of L’Escala and then enters the Gulf of Roses, with views toward Sant Martí d’Empúries, Sant Pere Pescador, Empuriabrava, and La Rovina before reaching Santa Margarita and Roses.

This gives the outing a broad view of the coast rather than focusing only on the Medes Islands. Sant Martí d’Empúries is associated with an ancient Greek port, while Empuriabrava is known for its beach setting and built-up waterways. The provided route does not include shore visits at these places, so you will see them from the catamaran rather than explore them on foot.

The return leg can feel long if you are mainly interested in the marine park. For me, it is valuable because the scenery keeps changing and the five-hour schedule becomes a full coastal circuit. If you prefer a short boat ride with one main attraction, this may be more sailing time than you want.

A dolphin sighting has been reported on this route, but it should be treated as luck, not part of the program. No wildlife guarantee is given. Keep your expectations focused on the coast, the islands, and the underwater windows.

What the $53 price really buys

At $53 per person, the tour sits in the reasonable range for a five-hour boat outing, provided you want the full combination of transport, scenery, marine viewing, and time in El Estartit. The boat tour, multilingual audio guide, and bar service are included.

The value is strongest if you are staying in Roses and want to cover several coastal sights in one day without arranging separate transport. You can see the Montgrí Massif, Cala Montgó, Foradada, the Medes Islands, El Estartit, L’Escala, Sant Martí d’Empúries, Empuriabrava, and the Gulf of Roses from one boat.

The value is weaker if your only goal is underwater wildlife. The viewing area may show a shallow seabed and small fish, and the catamaran can feel too large for people hoping for a quiet, personal trip. Snorkeling or a smaller marine excursion would likely suit that purpose better, though those alternatives are not part of this activity.

I would also factor in the five-hour duration. You are paying for a substantial half-day, not a quick harbor ride. That is useful on a day when you want to let someone else handle the route, but it may be tiring if you have limited time or are planning several other attractions.

Group size, comfort, and practical expectations

No group size is provided, but the catamaran is described by one passenger as enormous. Plan for a shared boat setting with other people, rather than an intimate charter. The format is likely to appeal to families and mixed-age groups because it combines outdoor viewing, indoor underwater windows, a bar, and a shore stop.

The boat offers more than one kind of viewing. On deck, you get the broad coastal panorama and open-air feel. In the underwater rooms, you get a closer look at the seabed. You should move between these areas as the route changes instead of treating the boat as a single fixed viewing platform.

The audio guide works through your phone. Make sure your phone is charged before boarding, since the guide is part of how the route is explained. The languages are Catalan, Dutch, English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Russian.

Weather can affect the experience. One highly positive account still noted gray conditions and periods of rain, while another described the trip as going as planned. The coast will be attractive in mixed weather, but poor visibility or rain can reduce the pleasure of sitting outside and may make the underwater view less clear.

There are two possible pick-up points and two possible return points, both listed as Avinguda de la Bocana, 2 and Av. de Rhode, 139. Confirm the exact option you selected. The activity allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your weather plans are still uncertain.

A note about destination changes

The advertised route is El Estartit and the Medes Islands, but at least one departure followed a Cadaqués route instead without the passenger receiving advance notice. That is important because Cadaqués is a different destination, even if the alternate trip is enjoyable.

I would confirm the destination at the ticket office or boarding point on the day of departure. This is especially important if you have already visited Cadaqués or are booking this trip specifically for the Medes Islands. The operator is Els Blaus de Roses, and the ticket information lists the intended route, but your final check can prevent a costly disappointment.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a relaxed half-day on the Costa Brava with several coastal viewpoints and a town stop. It suits people who enjoy boat scenery, do not need a tightly guided walking tour, and like the convenience of seeing multiple places from the water.

It is also a sensible choice for a mixed group. One person can enjoy the views, another can use the underwater rooms, and everyone gets time ashore in El Estartit. Thursday is particularly appealing if the weekly market is part of your plan.

I would hesitate if you want a silent sailing boat, a small group, or guaranteed marine wildlife. The catamaran is large, the underwater viewing is limited, and the route takes five hours. I would also think twice if mobility is a concern, since the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Should you book the Medes Islands and El Estartit cruise?

Book it if you want a broad coastal tour from Roses, not a specialist wildlife trip. The best parts are the Montgrí views, Foradada, the Medes Islands viewing rooms, and the freedom to walk around El Estartit before returning through the Gulf of Roses.

The $53 price is fair for a five-hour boat outing with a multilingual audio guide and bar service. Just confirm the departure point, check that the scheduled destination is still El Estartit and the Medes Islands, and set modest expectations for the underwater windows. With those points in mind, this is a useful way to see a large stretch of the Catalan coast in one outing.

FAQ

How long is the Medes Islands and El Estartit cruise?

The activity lasts five hours, including the boat route, the stop in El Estartit, and the return to Roses.

Where does the cruise depart from?

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

What can I see through the boat’s underwater windows?

The underwater viewing rooms look onto the seabed and marine life around the Medes Islands. The viewing area may be about three meters deep, and you may see small fish.

Do I get time to visit El Estartit?

Yes. The boat stops at the port of El Estartit, where you can walk around town or explore independently. On Thursdays, the town has its weekly market.

Which languages are available for the audio guide?

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

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-and-pay-later option.