From Roses: Sailing Catamaran Cruise to Medes Islands

Five hours at sea can pass quickly. This catamaran trip from Roses combines a scenic Costa Brava sail with a long swimming stop at Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa, making it more than a simple boat ride. I like the generous time in the water and the fact that lunch and drinks are included, so you are not constantly reaching for your wallet. The main drawback is that the stop may not put you close enough to see many fish, and departure delays have occasionally been reported.

I also like the easy setting: you board in central Roses, settle onto a spacious catamaran, and watch the Bay of Roses open toward the Medes Islands. The crew serves a barbecue with salads, bread, watermelon, wine, sangria, water, and soft drinks, which gives the day a sociable, picnic-at-sea feel. Still, this is a shared boat, not a quiet private charter. A loud group can change the mood for everyone.

Key points to know before booking

• The swimming stop lasts about two hours: You have real time for swimming and sunbathing rather than a quick photo stop.
• The barbecue is prepared onboard: Expect chicken breasts, skewers, sausages, salads, bread, and watermelon.
• The route includes the Medes Islands Natural Park: You will see the islands, Estartit, and the Montgrí massif from the water.
• Snorkeling gear requires a €10 deposit: Equipment is available, but the water depth may limit what you see.
• The meeting point is central in Roses: Find the boat at the Dock of Ginjolers, opposite Hotel Ramblamar.
• The atmosphere depends on the group: Most feedback praises the crew, food service, and pleasant sailing, but a noisy party group has caused problems on at least one departure.

Leaving Roses through the Bay of Roses

The outing begins at the Dock of Ginjolers, at 153 Av. de Rhode, directly in front of Hotel Ramblamar. This is right in central Roses, so you can reach it without arranging a separate transfer. You board a spacious catamaran and leave the harbor for a half-day route along the Costa Brava.

The first part is about enjoying the view and settling into the boat. From the Bay of Roses, the coast unfolds in broad sweeps, with rocky headlands, coves, and open water. The catamaran gives you several ways to enjoy the ride. You can sit on deck, take in the sea air, or stretch out on the forward nets, where the water moves directly below you.

Those nets are one of the most memorable features. Lying there makes you feel as if you are floating above the sea, though spray can reach you and strong sun is unavoidable. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a cover-up. You may also want to keep your phone secure, especially if you sit at the front while the boat is moving.

The advertised duration is 5.5 hours. That is long enough to feel like a proper day on the water, but not so long that the trip takes over your entire day. One practical warning: departure timing has not always been perfect. A delay of about an hour was reported on one outing, without much explanation from the crew. I would avoid scheduling a tight dinner reservation or another paid activity immediately afterward.

Seeing the Medes Islands from the water

The Medes Islands are the central attraction. This protected group of islands sits off the Costa Brava near L’Estartit, and the catamaran cruises around them before stopping in the area. You will also get views toward the village of Estartit and the Montgrí massif.

The appeal here is not a long land visit. You do not walk around the islands or spend the afternoon exploring their shore. Instead, you see them from the boat, with the sea giving you a broad view that is hard to get from land.

The route is especially good for people who enjoy scenery without needing a packed sightseeing schedule. There are no monuments to queue for and no long commentary program to follow. The guides speak Spanish, English, and French, so you can ask basic questions and follow the practical announcements in those languages.

Your view can depend on where you sit and how crowded the boat feels. The forward nets provide the most dramatic position, while the deck gives you a steadier place to watch the coast. If the sun is strong, moving between shade and open deck will make the five-and-a-half-hour outing much more comfortable.

Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa for swimming

The main stop is Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa, with about two hours set aside for swimming and sunbathing. The exact cove is not fixed in the information provided, so you should be ready for either location.

This is the part of the day that gives the cruise its value. A short swim from a boat can feel rushed, especially if you must queue for equipment or climb back aboard quickly. Here, you have enough time to get into the water, float around, dry off, and return for another swim.

The water is described as transparent and turquoise, and the setting is made for a relaxed sea stop. Life jackets are available for both children and adults, which is useful for anyone who is not a confident swimmer. Snorkeling equipment is also available for a €10 deposit.

Keep your expectations sensible. The water may be clear, but one person found the anchorage too deep to see many fish and wished the boat had stopped nearer the islands for snorkeling. This is better understood as a swimming and sunbathing cruise with some snorkeling, not a dedicated marine-life excursion.

The boat remains your base during the stop. You can sunbathe on deck while the crew prepares lunch, then eat onboard with a view of the cove. That setup saves you from carrying a full picnic or searching for a beach restaurant, though it also means you do not get a quiet meal ashore.

What arrives on the barbecue plate

The onboard meal is a major part of the package. The barbecue includes chicken breasts, skewers, and sausages, along with green salad, Russian salad, bread, and watermelon for dessert.

This is straightforward boat food, not a restaurant tasting menu. That is the right way to judge it. The value comes from having a filling lunch prepared while you swim, with no extra lunch stop or beach spending required. You eat surrounded by the sea, which makes ordinary grilled food feel more festive.

Drinks are generous for a half-day cruise. Water is available throughout the trip, including still and sparkling mineral water. During lunch, you can have soft drinks, regional red, rosé, and white wine, plus sangria. That helps the experience feel more like a relaxed group outing than a basic sightseeing transfer.

Vegetarian food needs attention. One vegetarian diner found the meat-free burger too strong and unpleasant. The listed meal clearly centers on meat, salads, bread, and fruit, so I would not book this expecting a polished vegetarian menu. If you eat vegetarian, contact the provider before paying and ask exactly what substitute will be offered.

Only card payments are accepted onboard, and American Express is not accepted. You may not need to buy anything if you are satisfied with the included drinks, but take a suitable card if you expect an extra purchase.

The mood on a shared catamaran

Magic Catamarans creates an easygoing social setting. The crew handles the sailing, barbecue, drinks, and safety equipment, while you choose how active or lazy to be. Several ratings give the trip high marks for the captain and crew, the meal service, and the general atmosphere.

The catch is that you are sharing the boat with other groups. Most of the time, that can be part of the fun. Families, couples, and friends can enjoy the open deck, music, food, and swimming stop together.

But the experience is not fully under the crew’s control once different groups are aboard. One departure was badly affected by a large German group partying loudly and behaving without respect for other passengers. That appears to be an isolated complaint rather than the normal tone, but it is a fair warning for anyone seeking peace and quiet.

I would choose this trip if you like a little social energy and do not mind conversation, music, or a lively deck. If you want silence, privacy, or a personal skipper, look for a smaller sailing charter instead.

Is $66 a fair price?

At $66 per person, the value is solid if you use the full package. You are paying for a 5.5-hour catamaran cruise, the route from Roses to the Medes Islands, a roughly two-hour swimming stop, a cooked lunch, and drinks throughout the trip.

The included beverages make a noticeable difference. A boat outing can become expensive when you add lunch, water, soft drinks, wine, and equipment separately. Here, water and soft drinks are covered during the whole trip, while wine and sangria are available with lunch.

Families may find the cost easier to justify because children up to age six can go free, according to one recent booking experience. That changes the calculation for a family of four with a very young child. You should confirm the current child policy when booking, but it is an important value point.

The price is less attractive if your main goal is serious snorkeling. Since the boat may anchor in water too deep for good fish viewing, you could pay for a cruise whose strongest feature is scenery, swimming, and lunch rather than underwater exploration.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would recommend this cruise to couples, families, and groups of friends who want a simple Costa Brava day on the water. It suits you especially well if you want swimming time but do not want to organize a boat rental, food, drinks, safety gear, and navigation yourself.

It is also a good choice for visitors based in Roses who want to reach the Medes Islands without changing hotels or arranging a complicated excursion. The central departure point keeps the logistics easy.

Families benefit from the life jackets, the included drinks, and the chance to mix active time with rest. The two-hour stop is long enough for children to swim, though parents should remember that this is an open-water outing and that the group atmosphere may be lively.

I would hesitate if you are vegetarian and need reliable meal choices, if you dislike shared tours, or if you are booking mainly to see fish underwater. I would also leave plenty of time after the cruise in case departure or return runs late.

Practical details that make the day easier

The meeting point is the Dock of Ginjolers in central Roses, opposite Hotel Ramblamar. Check the current departure time when you book, since starting times vary by availability.

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, and a towel. A dry bag or secure phone case is sensible for the forward nets and the swim stop. Snorkeling gear is available with a €10 deposit, but you may prefer to bring your own mask if you already have one.

The tour is offered in Spanish, English, and French. The included safety equipment covers life jackets for children and adults, so you do not need to arrange those separately.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Costa Brava plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Magic Catamarans cruise?

Book it if you want a well-priced, all-in half-day at sea with Costa Brava views, a long swim stop, a barbecue lunch, and plenty of included drinks. The recent overall rating of 4.3 from 266 ratings fits the experience: generally very enjoyable, with a few practical weaknesses.

Go in expecting a shared catamaran rather than a quiet yacht, and treat the snorkeling as an extra rather than the main purpose. If you are comfortable with that tradeoff, this is an easy and pleasant way to spend a summer day from Roses.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran leave from?

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

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts 5.5 hours.

Which places can you visit for swimming?

The catamaran stops at Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa for swimming and sunbathing. The exact stop is not fixed in the provided information.

How long is the swimming stop?

The swimming and sunbathing stop lasts about two hours.

Is lunch included?

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

Which drinks are included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available for a €10 deposit.

Are life jackets available?

Yes. Life jackets are provided for both children and adults.

What languages are spoken on the tour?

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

Can I cancel the booking?

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