From L’Estartit: Snorkeling Trip to the Medes Islands

Crystal-clear water is only a short boat ride away. This 2.5-hour Medes Islands snorkel trip pairs a guided 50-minute swim with a pleasant cruise around one of the Costa Brava’s best-known marine reserves. I like the careful safety approach, especially for children and nervous beginners, and I like that your own snorkel tube is included as a practical souvenir. The main catch is that sea conditions can shorten the swim or reduce visibility.

The tour costs about $45 per person, including the boat, guide, wetsuit, mask, fins, life vest, and snorkel tube. That is a fair deal for a half-day outing, though the underwater scenery depends on weather, currents, and how crowded the reserve is. Bring a towel, water, swimwear, and sunscreen, then expect a simple, active morning or afternoon by the sea.

Key points to know before you book

• The Medes Islands sit about a mile from L’Estartit beach, so you reach the reserve quickly by small boat.
• You snorkel in groups of eight to ten, with a guide in the water pointing out fish and the best spots.
• The 50-minute guided swim is the heart of the trip, followed by free time for swimming or relaxing on deck.
• Wetsuits, masks, fins, and life vests are supplied, and each participant receives a personal snorkel tube to keep.
• Families and first-time snorkelers are well served, thanks to calm instruction and close attention from the guides.
• Weather matters a great deal: cloudy skies, rain, or strong current can darken the water and cut the activity short.

Why the Medes Islands make a good snorkeling stop

The Medes Islands are a small archipelago of seven islands off L’Estartit, protected as a natural marine reserve. Their location close to shore makes this an easy way to see Mediterranean sea life without committing to a full day on a boat.

Underwater, you might see schools of small fish, larger species such as groupers and barracuda, marine plants, starfish, and rocky formations. Some outings also visit a cave. The reserve is not an aquarium, of course, and the amount of sea life changes from day to day, but clear conditions can make the water feel like a fish tank.

I especially like the mix of guided exploration and open time. You are not simply ferried to the islands, dropped in the water, and left to figure things out. A guide shows you where to look, helps less confident swimmers, and keeps the group together.

The reserve can also be busy, particularly in summer. Other boats and excursion groups may share the area, which takes away some of the quiet, natural feeling. If you expect untouched water and endless fish, you may be disappointed. If you want an accessible introduction to the Mediterranean underwater world, the setting is very appealing.

Starting at Medaqua in L’Estartit

Your tour begins at the Medaqua activity center. You need to exchange your voucher at the office before departure, so allow enough time to find the center, check in, and get fitted with equipment.

The meeting area is in L’Estartit, close to the beach and harbor. Parking deserves attention. A car park opposite the office may belong to the nautical club rather than being available for tour customers. A larger free sandy car park near the beach is the better option mentioned in the practical instructions, so do not assume the closest spaces are yours.

After check-in, there is about a ten-minute walk before the boat transfer. Wear something easy to carry, since you will have swim gear and personal belongings with you. Food and drinks are not supplied, so bring your own water.

The staff speak Catalan, English, French, and Spanish. That range is useful at a busy seaside center, and clear instructions matter when a group includes children or people who have never used a snorkel before.

The eco-briefing and equipment fitting

Before boarding, the guide gives an environmental and safety briefing. You learn how the mask, fins, snorkel, wetsuit, and life vest work, along with what you may see in the reserve.

This part is more important than it sounds. New snorkelers often struggle with breathing through a tube, adjusting a mask, or moving efficiently with fins. The best guides take time to settle people before they enter the water. Several families have found the staff particularly reassuring with children, including first-timers as young as six and eight.

The equipment package is generous for the price:

• Mask and fins
• Wetsuit
• Life vest
• Personal snorkel tube
• Guide-led snorkeling
• Boat transport around the islands

The snorkel tube is unique to you and can be kept after the activity. That is a nice hygiene measure as well as a useful memento. It also means you are not reusing a mouthpiece handled by someone else.

You should bring swimwear, a towel, drinks, and sunscreen. Smoking and feeding the animals are not allowed. Any equipment that is broken, damaged, or lost must be paid for, so take ordinary care with your gear.

One useful detail is that the wetsuit may be optional in very warm weather, despite being included. A wetsuit can make the water much more comfortable, especially for a long swim, but it may feel hot during the boat ride on a sunny day. Ask the guide before putting it on if temperatures are high.

The short boat ride to the seven islands

Once the group is ready, you board a small boat and head toward the Medes archipelago. The crossing takes about ten minutes, making this a pleasant outing rather than a long voyage.

The short ride gives you a quick change of scene. L’Estartit’s coast falls behind, and the islands become the focus. You can enjoy the views, settle into your equipment, and listen for any final instructions before getting into the water.

A small boat works well for this sort of trip because it keeps the outing simple and relatively quick. The downside is that space may feel limited when everyone is carrying towels and equipment. The boat is mainly a way to reach the reserve, not a luxury cruise vessel.

If you are prone to seasickness, the short crossing is reassuring, but conditions still depend on the day. Wind and rain can make the ride less pleasant. One outing had to contend with rain and a thunderstorm, while another lost some visibility under cloudy skies. Those are natural limitations of a sea-based activity, not problems the operator can fully control.

Fifty minutes in the reserve with a guide

At the Medes Islands, you enter the water in groups of about eight to ten people. Each group has a guide who leads the swim and points out good places to see fish and marine plants.

The guided portion lasts around 50 minutes. That is enough time to get comfortable, see a range of underwater scenery, and enjoy a proper swim, but it is not an all-day snorkeling session. If you want hours in the water, you will need a different type of excursion.

I like the group size. It is large enough to make the activity social, but small enough for a guide to keep an eye on people. This matters when a child loses confidence or a beginner needs a floating rest. Guides have used swim rings to give tired swimmers a break, and several families felt well looked after throughout the trip.

The water can be impressively clear. On a good day, you may see groupers, barracuda, starfish, schools of smaller fish, and rocky formations. Marine plants add color and texture to the scene, while the islands and coast provide a fine backdrop when you lift your head.

Do not expect the guide to deliver a formal marine biology lecture during every minute of the swim. The level of explanation can vary. Some guides offer useful information about fish, the islands, and local sea life. Others focus more on safety and keeping the group moving. If learning about the ecosystem is a major priority, ask questions directly.

Current is another factor. One outing had strong current but still offered good views. For a first-time snorkeler, that can make the swim more tiring than expected. The life vest helps, and the guide remains nearby, but you should be comfortable in open water before booking.

Free time for swimming and sun on deck

After the guided swim, you return to the boat. The plan allows time for more swimming or relaxing on deck, depending on conditions and the schedule.

This break is welcome. Fifty minutes of kicking with fins can tire your legs, especially if you are new to snorkeling. You can dry off, drink some water, take in the coast, and let children reset before the return trip.

The amount of free time has not always felt consistent. Some outings have offered less independent time than expected, with the boat heading back after a short pause. If you are booking mainly for unsupervised swimming, keep your expectations modest. The guided session is the reliable core of the experience.

There may also be opportunities for underwater photographs, although you should not assume photographs are included or shared. The supplied information does not list photos as part of the package.

The return cruise around the islands

If the weather is suitable, the boat makes a short cruise around the Medes Islands before returning to the harbor. This adds value because you see the archipelago from above the water as well as below it.

The cruise is brief, but it gives you a final chance to enjoy the rock formations and Estartit coastline without wearing a mask. In poor weather, the route or timing may change. The tour then returns to the harbor and ends back at Medaqua.

The whole outing lasts between two and two and a half hours. The advertised duration is 2.5 hours, but sea conditions and the exact schedule can affect the final timing. That makes this easy to fit into a day that also includes the beach, lunch, or a walk around L’Estartit.

Is $45 good value?

At $45 per person, I consider this good value if you need equipment and want an organized introduction to the Medes Islands. You receive a guide, boat trip, wetsuit, mask, fins, life vest, and a snorkel tube to keep. Renting those items separately would quickly reduce the price difference.

The value is strongest for families and beginners. You are paying for supervision, equipment fitting, transport to the reserve, and help in the water, not just a boat seat. A guide can make the difference between a child enjoying the activity and a child spending the whole time clinging to the boat.

The value is less clear if you already own snorkeling equipment and want a long, independent session. The guided swim is about 50 minutes, and free time afterward may be limited. You are also paying for access to a marine reserve where conditions are never guaranteed.

The high overall rating reflects the parts the operator can control: friendly staff, good organization, clean mouthpieces, suitable equipment, and attention to safety. The number of fish, water clarity, current, and weather are outside that control.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend this trip to:

• Families with children who can swim
• First-time snorkelers who want guidance
• Nervous swimmers who feel better with a nearby guide
• Couples seeking a short water activity from L’Estartit
• Anyone who wants a boat outing without spending a full day at sea
• Visitors who prefer an organized trip over arranging equipment alone

It suits active children, but the sea is not a swimming pool. Strong current, cloud, rain, and reduced visibility can change the experience quickly. Ask the activity center about current conditions if your group includes a very young or hesitant swimmer.

There is conflicting practical information about access. The activity is marked wheelchair accessible, but it is also described as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments. I would contact Medaqua directly before booking if anyone in your party has mobility needs. Do not rely on the general accessibility label alone.

Small details that make the day easier

Arrive with time to exchange your voucher at the Medaqua office. Wear swimwear under your clothes, bring a towel and drinking water, and apply sunscreen before you board.

Keep valuables to a minimum. The tour does not include hotel pickup, food, or drinks, and the activity center is your starting and ending point.

If the day is hot, ask whether you need the wetsuit for the water conditions. If you are a beginner, tell the guide early. The staff have been praised for staying close to nervous swimmers and helping children build confidence, but they need to know who may need extra support.

If seeing sea life is your main goal, choose the calmest and clearest weather available. A sunny day will not guarantee more fish, but poor weather can make the water darker and reduce visibility.

Should you book the Medes Islands snorkel trip?

Book it if you want a well-organized, fairly priced introduction to the Medes Islands, especially with children or a first-time snorkeler. The friendly guides, included equipment, short crossing, and close supervision make the outing easy to manage.

Skip it if you want a long independent swim, a quiet uncrowded reserve, or guaranteed wildlife sightings. The best version of this trip comes with calm weather and clear water. With those conditions, it offers a memorable look at the Mediterranean for a sensible price. Without them, it is still a pleasant boat outing, but the underwater part may feel shorter and less dramatic.

FAQ

How long does the Medes Islands snorkeling trip last?

The activity lasts between two and two and a half hours, with the advertised duration listed as 2.5 hours.

Where does the tour begin?

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

How far are the Medes Islands from L’Estartit?

The archipelago is located about one mile from L’Estartit beach. The boat ride to the islands takes about ten minutes.

How long do you snorkel?

The guided snorkeling session lasts about 50 minutes. Afterward, you have time for swimming or relaxing on the boat, depending on conditions and timing.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The tour includes a mask, fins, wetsuit, life vest, and personal snorkel tube. You can keep the snorkel tube after the activity.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, drinks, and sunscreen. Food and drinks are not included.

What languages do the guides speak?

Guides can provide instruction in Catalan, English, French, and Spanish.

Can I cancel the booking?

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