Explore the Medes Islands & Discover the Magic of Estartit!

The best views come from the water. This five-hour catamaran cruise from Roses combines a scenic crossing of Roses Bay with underwater viewing rooms at the Medes Islands. I like the broad coastal route and the chance to explore El Estartit on foot, while the multilingual audio guide helps explain what you are seeing. The main concern is that the boat can feel very large, and marine life may be modest on the day.

I also like the changing scenery: the Montgrí Massif, Cala Montgó, the Foradada cave, Empúries, and the beaches near Roses. The stop in El Estartit gives you a useful break from the boat, though the underwater windows are not a substitute for snorkeling or scuba diving. Some passengers have found the seabed shallow and the fish small.

Key points to know before booking

• Five hours on a wide coastal route: You cross Roses Bay, pass Cala Montgó and the Medes Islands, stop at El Estartit, then return past Empúries and the Gulf of Roses.
• Underwater viewing without getting wet: The catamaran has viewing rooms where you can look at the seabed and marine life.
• The Montgrí Massif is the star of the first leg: Its outline is compared with a sleeping bishop stretching toward the Mediterranean.
• El Estartit is a real shore stop: You can leave the boat, walk around town, and visit the weekly market if your trip falls on Thursday.
• Several scenic points come late in the cruise: The return includes Sant Martí d’Empúries, Sant Pere Pescador, Empuriabrava, La Rovina, Santa Margarida, and Roses.
• The experience suits mobile passengers best: It is not recommended for people with mobility impairments.

Why this catamaran trip is worth considering

At $53 per person, this is priced as a half-day outing rather than a simple harbor cruise. You are paying for a long stretch of coastline, a marine park visit, a shore stop, and the convenience of seeing several places without arranging separate transport.

I see the value most clearly if you want a relaxed day on the water and do not need an action-heavy marine activity. The route gives you plenty to look at, but the quality of the underwater viewing depends on visibility, weather, and the amount of marine life near the boat.

The overall rating is 4.1 from 51 bookings, which fits the experience well. It can be a pleasant, scenic day with friendly staff, but expectations matter. One passenger reported seeing dolphins, while another found little to see below the surface. Both outcomes are possible on a coastal cruise like this.

The catamaran has a bar service, and a new audio guide is available on your phone in Catalan, Spanish, French, English, Italian, German, Dutch, and Russian. That is useful because the scenery is the main subject, and the commentary gives the places more meaning than a silent ride would.

Choosing your departure point in Roses

You can select between two listed departure locations:

• Avinguda de la Bocana, 2
• Av. de Rhode, 139

The exact meeting point depends on the option you book, so check your confirmation carefully before heading to the waterfront. The same two locations are used for the return.

This is a point where a little planning helps. Roses has more than one waterfront area, and arriving at the wrong pier could create an unnecessary rush. I would allow enough time to identify the correct boarding point rather than treating the listed addresses as interchangeable.

The boat trip lasts about five hours, but the schedule can vary by departure time and operating conditions. Availability is shown when you select a date. Since the route includes a stop in El Estartit, this is not a quick loop around the islands. You should plan your day around being away for most of a morning or afternoon.

Crossing Roses Bay with the Montgrí Massif ahead

The opening stretch crosses the Bay of Roses. This is a broad, open section of water, so you get long views rather than a series of tight coves. The Montgrí Massif forms the main focal point, rising in the distance with a shape often compared to a sleeping bishop lying on the ground.

That image is more than a poetic touch. It gives you an easy way to read the coast as you sail. Instead of seeing a wall of hills, you can pick out the head, body, and feet reaching toward the Mediterranean. If you enjoy scenery, this early part of the cruise is a good reason to spend time outside rather than staying in the viewing rooms.

The route also gives you a different sense of scale than a road trip. Roses Bay opens out in front of you, and the coast gradually changes from wide beaches to rocky points and coves. I would bring a camera, but I would also keep expectations realistic. This is a sightseeing cruise, not a dedicated photography voyage, and the best views can depend on where you find a seat.

Cala Montgó and the Foradada cave

As the boat continues south, it passes in front of Cala Montgó. The coast becomes more intimate here, with a cove setting that contrasts with the open water of Roses Bay.

The cruise also passes the Foradada cave. In Catalan, foradada means holed, a fitting name for a natural opening through the rock. If conditions and timing cooperate, you may see another boat pass through it. That possibility is part of the appeal, but it is not guaranteed, so treat it as a bonus rather than a scheduled performance.

This portion of the route is especially good for passengers who like coastal details. You are not simply heading from one port to another. You are watching the shoreline change, with caves and coves adding variety to the trip.

The cruise does not promise a guided hike along Cala Montgó or a landing at Foradada. You see these places from the water. That distinction matters if you want time ashore at every major sight.

The Medes Islands and the underwater viewing rooms

The Marine Natural Park of the Medes Islands is the central feature of the outing. Here, you can access the catamaran’s underwater viewing rooms and look down toward the seabed and marine life.

This setup is a good compromise for people who want a glimpse below the surface without snorkeling or scuba equipment. You stay dry, and the viewing rooms are part of the boat, so the experience is easy to add to a sightseeing day.

Still, you should keep the underwater portion in perspective. One passenger found the seabed only around three meters below the boat and saw small fish. That is useful advice: do not book this expecting a dramatic aquarium display every time. Water clarity, light, sea conditions, and the exact location of the boat can all affect what you see.

The wording wild seabed is important. This is a natural marine setting, not a managed aquarium with guaranteed animals at fixed times. On a fortunate day, you could see more activity, and one passenger even reported dolphins along the route. But the cruise should make sense to you even if the underwater view is brief or ordinary.

The catamaran itself has also drawn mixed reactions. Some people appreciate the space and stability of a large boat. Another passenger felt the catamaran was enormous, which may reduce the intimate feel you expect from a small-boat excursion. If you want a quiet, close-to-the-water trip, this may not be your ideal format.

Your stop in El Estartit

After the Medes Islands, the boat reaches the port of El Estartit. You can get off and explore the town at your own pace. This is a valuable part of the schedule because it breaks up the five-hour ride with time on land.

The stop is described as a visit, walk, and possible hike, but no specific walking route is set out. I would treat it as free time rather than a formal guided tour. You can use the pause to look around, stretch your legs, and get a different view of the coast.

Thursday adds a particular attraction: El Estartit holds its weekly market. If your sailing falls on that day, the stop may feel more local and active than on other days. The market is not available every day, so do not plan around it unless your date is Thursday.

The freedom here is useful, but it also means you need to pay attention to the return-to-boat time. The experience information does not give a detailed length for the shore stop, so follow the crew’s instructions carefully. Missing the departure would be a serious problem, and the town visit is not worth that risk.

The staff has received especially warm praise. A French passenger described the people on board and the women at the small dockside booth as kind and pleasant, with the day running as described. That matches the type of service you want on a long excursion: clear enough to keep the day moving, but friendly rather than stiff.

The return route through Empúries and the Gulf of Roses

The journey back to Roses follows another useful sightseeing line. The boat passes in front of L’Escala and then heads into the Gulf of Roses.

You also see the Greek port of Sant Martí d’Empúries. The route then continues past Sant Pere Pescador, Empuriabrava Beach, and La Rovina Beach before reaching Santa Margarida and Roses.

This return is not just a repeat of the morning. It gives you a wider look at the northern Catalan coast and links natural scenery with places shaped by ports, beaches, and holiday development. Empuriabrava, in particular, adds a different coastal character from the rocky coves and protected marine area earlier in the day.

The late stages may be less dramatic than the Medes Islands or Foradada, especially if you have already spent several hours at sea. I would view them as a calm finish rather than another major attraction. Sit back, use the audio guide, and watch the coast pass by.

The trip ends at one of the two listed Roses locations, Avinguda de la Bocana, 2, or Av. de Rhode, 139, depending on your booking option.

Audio guide, bar, and onboard comfort

The phone-based audio guide covers eight languages: Catalan, Dutch, English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Russian. This is a strong practical feature for an international excursion. You can follow the commentary in your own language instead of relying on a guide speaking to the whole boat in one language.

Because the guide is available on phones, make sure you understand how to access it before the boat leaves. The supplied information does not specify whether headphones or internet access are provided, so do not assume either one. The bar service gives you an onboard refreshment option, though no food or drink package is listed.

The boat’s size is worth considering. A large catamaran can make the journey feel stable and give more people access to the viewing rooms, but it can also feel less personal. The mixed reaction to the boat size is the clearest warning in the available feedback.

Weather matters, too. One August outing was affected by gray skies and periods of rain. That does not mean poor weather is usual, but even summer on the Costa Brava can produce a less sunny day. The scenery remains worthwhile, but the views and underwater windows will be more rewarding in clear conditions.

Who will enjoy this five-hour route?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want:

• A full half-day on the Costa Brava without organizing several separate stops
• Scenic views of the coast from the water
• A simple look at the Medes Islands marine environment
• Free time in El Estartit
• Commentary in one of eight languages
• A relaxed outing suitable for people who prefer sightseeing to strenuous activity

I would be more cautious if you want:

• Guaranteed close-up marine life
• A small, intimate boat
• A short cruise with little time at sea
• A structured walking tour in El Estartit
• An experience suitable for someone with mobility impairments

The excursion includes a stop described as a walk and hike, but the activity is not recommended for people with mobility impairments. That warning should be taken seriously when considering boarding, moving around the boat, and getting off in El Estartit.

Is $53 a fair price?

At $53, the price is reasonable if you use the whole route. You get five hours, the boat trip, the marine park section, underwater viewing rooms, a port stop, the multilingual audio guide, and the return through several coastal areas.

It is less compelling if your main goal is only to see fish. The underwater viewing is one element of a much larger cruise, and the marine life may be limited. I would book it for the combination of scenery, coastline, El Estartit, and the Medes Islands, not for guaranteed wildlife.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure adds useful flexibility, and you can reserve now and pay later. That helps if your Costa Brava schedule is still changing. It is also worth checking the destination carefully before departure. Two passengers reported that a trip sold as an El Estartit and Medes Islands outing operated instead as a Cadaqués cruise, with no clear notification. Although one of those passengers still rated the day highly, an unexpected destination change matters if you already know Cadaqués or have chosen this trip specifically for the Medes Islands.

Should you book the Medes Islands catamaran?

Book it if you want an easy, scenic day linking Roses, the Medes Islands, El Estartit, Empúries, and the Gulf of Roses. The coastal views are the strongest reason to go, while the friendly service, multilingual audio guide, and Thursday market option add practical value.

Skip it if you need a small boat, guaranteed abundant sea life, or a highly active marine excursion. Before paying, confirm the departure point and make sure the selected outing still lists El Estartit and the Medes Islands. With those expectations in place, $53 is a fair price for a broad Costa Brava cruise, but it is best understood as a coastal sightseeing day with an underwater viewing stop, not as a dedicated wildlife expedition.

FAQ

How long does the Medes Islands and El Estartit cruise last?

The activity lasts five hours.

Where can I board the catamaran?

The listed starting options are Avinguda de la Bocana, 2, and Av. de Rhode, 139. Your exact meeting point depends on the option you book.

Does the cruise visit the Medes Islands?

Yes. The route enters the Marine Natural Park of the Medes Islands, where you can use the catamaran’s underwater viewing rooms.

Can I get off the boat in El Estartit?

Yes. The itinerary includes time in El Estartit, where you can leave the boat and visit the town.

Is there a market in El Estartit?

El Estartit has a weekly market on Thursdays.

What languages are available for the audio guide?

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

Is food or drink included?

A bar service is available on the boat. The included services do not list a meal or food package.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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