From Roses: Sailing Catamaran Cruise to Medes Islands

The best part of this Roses catamaran cruise is the simple rhythm of the day: open sea, clear water, barbecue lunch, and sun on the deck. You sail across the Bay of Roses, pass the village of L’Estartit and the Montgrí massif, then stop near Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa for swimming and sunbathing.

I like the spacious catamaran and the nets at the front, where you can feel the water moving below you. I also like that lunch is prepared onboard, with grilled meats, salads, bread, watermelon, and regional drinks. The main caution is timing: the boat has occasionally departed late, and the swimming stop can feel short if you want serious snorkeling.

Key points

• A full 5.5-hour outing from Roses: This is a proper half-day on the water, not a quick harbor cruise.
• Two possible swimming areas: The boat stops at Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa, depending on the day’s plan.
• Barbecue served onboard: Expect chicken breasts, skewers, sausages, salads, bread, and watermelon.
• Clear water, but snorkeling conditions vary: Some swimmers have found the water too deep for good fish viewing.
• Drinks are included: Water and soft drinks are available throughout, with wine and sangria served with lunch.
• A relaxed family option: Life jackets are available for adults and children, and snorkeling equipment requires a €10 deposit.

Sailing out of Roses across the Bay

You meet the boat at the Dock of Ginjolers, right in central Roses, in front of Hotel Ramblamar at 153 Av. de Rhode. That central location is useful if you are already staying in town, since the departure point sits near the waterfront rather than far outside the resort.

Once aboard, the boat heads out across the Bay of Roses. The first part is less about a single landmark and more about settling into the sea view. From the catamaran, you get a broad look back toward the Costa Brava and forward toward the Medes Islands.

I like this format because you are not simply dropped at a beach and left there. The sailing itself is part of the experience. You can sit on the deck, take in the coastline, or stretch out on the forward nets as the water passes below.

The net area is one of the more memorable places to sit, but it is also exposed. Bring sun protection and be ready for spray. The boat is spacious, yet the most desirable spots can fill quickly, especially on a sunny day.

Seeing the Medes Islands from the water

The Medes Islands Natural Park is the main reason to book this outing. The islands sit off the coast near L’Estartit, and the catamaran cruises around them rather than treating them as a simple point on a map.

You can look across toward the village of L’Estartit and the Montgrí massif while the boat moves through the island area. The view works best as a broad coastal scene: rocky islands, open water, and the shape of the mainland behind you.

Do not expect a long land visit on the islands themselves. The focus is a water-based tour, with the boat stopping for swimming and sunbathing near Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa. That is good news if you want a lazy day at sea, but less useful if you hoped to walk on the islands or explore them on foot.

The exact stop matters. Cala Montgó offers a scenic setting, while Illa Pedrosa puts the emphasis on being close to the island environment. The available information does not promise one fixed stop every day, so you should treat the location as part of the day’s operating plan rather than a guaranteed choice.

The swimming stop and snorkeling reality

The main break lasts about two hours. That gives you time to swim, use the snorkeling equipment, dry off in the sun, and eat lunch without rushing through every activity.

The water is described as clear and turquoise, and it is certainly the right setting for a refreshing swim. Life jackets are provided for both children and adults, which helps families and anyone who is less comfortable in open water.

Snorkeling is included, but the quality of the experience depends on the exact anchorage. Some people have found the water too deep to see many fish clearly. That is worth keeping in mind: this is not a dedicated shallow-water snorkeling trip with a guide pointing out marine life.

You will need to leave a €10 deposit for snorkeling equipment. The practical move is to ask the crew about the gear and the swimming conditions before collecting it. If the boat is anchored over deeper water, the mask may be more useful for looking down from the surface than for close-up fish watching.

The two-hour stop also creates a choice. You can spend the whole time in the water, claim a place on deck, or split the time between swimming and lunch. I would not plan on spending every minute snorkeling. The catamaran, food, and views are just as important as the water.

Barbecue lunch with a Costa Brava view

Lunch is prepared on the boat while you swim and sunbathe. The standard barbecue includes chicken breasts, skewers, sausages, fresh green salad, Russian salad, bread, and watermelon for dessert.

That menu makes this a more social, easygoing outing than a cruise where you need to bring your own meal. You do not have to leave the water to find food, and you can eat while looking back toward the coast.

Drinks are part of the package. Water, including still and sparkling mineral water, and soft drinks are available throughout the trip. With lunch, you can have regional red, rosé, or white wine, as well as sangria.

The food is practical rather than gourmet. It suits people who enjoy a straightforward barbecue, but it may not satisfy every dietary preference. One vegetarian meal option has been judged disappointing, so if you do not eat meat, check what can be provided before you book. The published menu is centered on meat and salads, not on a broad range of vegetarian dishes.

You should also know that only card payments are accepted onboard, and American Express is not accepted. That matters if you plan to buy anything extra or need to settle a deposit.

How the five and a half hours feel

The stated duration is 5.5 hours, long enough to feel like a full day at sea without taking over your entire day in Roses. The time is divided among sailing, viewing the islands, swimming, lunch, and the return journey.

A common surprise with a relaxed boat trip is how quickly the hours pass. There is no packed schedule to chase, and that is the point. You spend much of the outing sitting, swimming, eating, and watching the coast change.

Still, the schedule depends on a prompt departure. One serious complaint concerned a delay of about an hour with little information from the crew. That kind of delay matters more on a half-day tour because it cuts into the time available for swimming and lunch.

The onboard atmosphere can also vary. A large party has reportedly made the ride unpleasant for other passengers by treating the boat like a private party. You cannot control the behavior of other people, but it is fair to know that the mood may range from quiet and restful to lively and loud.

Who will enjoy this catamaran trip

This cruise fits you best if you want a low-effort day on the sea. You get transport from Roses, coastal views, a swimming stop, food, and drinks in one package.

Families should appreciate the life jackets, the roomy boat, and the chance to combine swimming with a meal. Children who do not want to snorkel can stay on deck, and adults can enjoy the scenery without organizing several separate activities.

Couples and friends may like the front nets and the long stop in the water. The trip gives you time to talk, sunbathe, and share a bottle of regional wine with lunch.

It is less suitable if you want a quiet, small-boat outing. A catamaran of this type can carry a mixed crowd, and the tone may change depending on the group onboard. It is also not the best pick for anyone seeking serious marine-life instruction, a long island walk, or guaranteed shallow snorkeling.

Price and practical value at $66

At $66 per person, the price covers much more than a short sailing ride. You receive 5.5 hours on the water, the cruise from Roses to the Medes Islands, the swimming stop, barbecue lunch, drinks, life jackets, and access to snorkeling equipment with a refundable or returned €10 deposit arrangement as stated for the gear.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the whole package. A half-day boat outing with a meal and drinks can save you the work of arranging transport, finding a beach, buying lunch, and renting equipment separately.

The value drops if you dislike organized group activities or do not eat the provided food. It also drops if your main goal is snorkeling, since visibility and depth are not guaranteed at the stop.

I would compare the price with what you would spend on a beach day in Roses. If you would otherwise pay for lunch, drinks, and a separate boat ride, $66 is reasonable. If you mainly want a short swim, a local beach may give you more control for less money.

Languages, booking, and small details

The live guide service is offered in Spanish, English, and French. That makes the outing workable for a mixed international group, though the exact amount of spoken commentary is not specified.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also helps if your Costa Brava plans are still shifting. Check the available departure times for your date, since the stated duration does not tell you when the boat leaves.

The meeting point is easy to identify: Dock of Ginjolers, in front of Hotel Ramblamar. Arrive ready for sun, sea spray, and a swimming stop. A swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a payment card are sensible items to have with you, while the provided information specifically confirms the card-only policy onboard and the exclusion of American Express.

The overall score is 4.3 from 266 ratings, which fits the picture of a popular but not flawless outing. The most praised elements are the crew’s handling of the boat, the meal service, the pleasant atmosphere on good days, and the feeling that the five or six hours pass quickly. The main weak points are late departures, limited snorkeling conditions, and occasional problems with other passengers’ behavior.

Is the Medes Islands catamaran cruise worth booking?

I would book this if you want an easy, social Costa Brava day with sailing, swimming, lunch, and drinks bundled together. It offers good value for the price, especially for families and couples who prefer a planned outing over arranging each part themselves.

I would hesitate if you need a quiet boat, strict timing, excellent vegetarian food, or close-up snorkeling in shallow water. For everyone else, the strongest reason to go is the balance: you get the Medes Islands, a long swim stop, a cooked meal, and a relaxed return to Roses without having to manage the details yourself.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran leave from?

The meeting point is at the Dock of Ginjolers in central Roses, in front of Hotel Ramblamar, at 153 Av. de Rhode, 17480 Roses, Girona.

How long is the cruise?

The experience lasts 5.5 hours.

What places does the boat visit?

The catamaran sails from Roses through the Bay of Roses to the Medes Islands Natural Park. It also passes views of L’Estartit and the Montgrí massif.

Where do you stop to swim?

The swimming stop is at Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa. The stop lasts about two hours.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment is available with a €10 deposit. Life jackets for adults and children are included.

What food is served at lunch?

The barbecue includes chicken breasts, skewers, sausages, green salad, Russian salad, bread, and watermelon for dessert.

What drinks are included?

Water and soft drinks are available throughout the trip. Lunch drinks include regional red, rosé, and white wine, plus sangria.

Which languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in Spanish, English, and French.