Your first breath underwater feels unreal. In the Montgrí Natural Park, Medaqua pairs you with an instructor in English and runs a tight, beginner-friendly first session with one-on-one coaching. You get about 20 minutes of time underwater to see the Costa Brava seabed up close. The main drawback is simple: this needs good conditions, and you do have health limits to respect.

This is built for true first-timers, starting at age 10, with a maximum group size of 9. There’s also a smart “next step” incentive: if you do your Open Water course afterward, you receive a discount equal to what you paid for this try session.

You’ll start at Pg. Marítim, 13 in L’Estartit at 10:00 am, and the experience ends back at the same meeting point after about 2 hours 30 minutes. If you want an easy way to test scuba before committing, this one has a lot going for it.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• One instructor per participant means you’re not floating around hoping someone notices you.
• About 20 minutes underwater gives you enough time to feel the experience, not just hear about it.
• Good for first-timers from age 10 with a max group size of 9 for a calmer pace.
• Gear is included, so you’re not hunting rental equipment in advance.
• Discount toward your Open Water course can make the whole trip feel like a smart investment, not a random thrill.
• Weather-dependent scheduling keeps expectations realistic for a boat-based activity.

First-Time Scuba in Montgrí Natural Park: What This Session Really Is

Think of this as a guided entry into scuba, not a stunt and not a long course. The whole point is to help you feel what underwater breathing is like, and to understand buoyancy and basic control without needing prior experience. Medaqua keeps the experience structured and personal, which matters a lot when it’s your first time.

I like that the session is designed around confidence. You’re accompanied by an instructor at all times, and the setup is meant to keep you safe while you learn the feeling of being underwater. And the promise of about 20 minutes underwater is key: it’s long enough to register what you’re doing, but short enough to stay comfortable if you’re a bit nervous at the start.

Another plus is the setting. You’re in the Montgrí Natural Park area near Girona, and that’s a big part of why people book this at all: it’s the Costa Brava, so your eyes will be on the underwater world rather than a lecture hall. A few reviews also praise the professionalism on the boat and the patience of the team, which is exactly what you want when your comfort is on the line.

Meeting in L’Estartit and Getting Ready Without a Headache

This experience runs out of L’Estartit. Your start point is Pg. Marítim, 13 (17258 L’Estartit, Girona, Spain), and it begins at 10:00 am. You return back to the same meeting point, and the whole session takes about 2 hours 30 minutes.

That “return to start” detail might sound minor, but it matters in real travel days. It reduces logistics stress. It also helps if you’re planning other activities in the area, since you’re not committing to a long, complicated end location.

They provide confirmation at booking, and the ticket is mobile. The site is near public transportation too, so you’re less dependent on a car. With a maximum of 9 travelers, the day also tends to feel orderly rather than chaotic.

One practical note: bottled water is not included. That’s easy to fix on your own, and it’s one less thing to think about during a first-time session when you want your brain focused on breathing and buoyancy.

What Happens Before You Go Under: The Part That Builds Confidence

Before you’re underwater, you’ll be guided through the basics. The big thing is that you’re not left guessing. The team explains what you’ll do, and they keep the pace beginner-friendly so you can actually follow along.

A strong theme from the experience is how welcoming the instruction feels for first-timers. In particular, reviews mention that the staff spent real time explaining things when it was people’s first time, which is exactly the kind of support that makes you less likely to panic. If you’ve ever tried a new sport and felt like everyone assumes you already know the basics, you’ll appreciate this approach.

Also, the instructor is exclusive to each participant. That means the guidance is personal, not a one-size-fits-all talk. You’re more likely to get corrections in time, and you won’t spend the session wondering whether the instructor is busy with someone else.

And yes, breathing underwater is the star moment. The coaching is there so that moment feels manageable instead of overwhelming.

Your Underwater Practice: 20 Minutes, One Instructor, Real Feeling

This is the core of the experience: about 20 minutes underwater to discover the wonders of the seabed. You’ll get a first look at the underwater world in a way that’s hard to copy from snorkeling or videos. You’re not just floating on top. You’re actually part of the underwater environment, breathing scuba-style with an instructor close by.

For your body and your brain, that timing works well. Short sessions can be too quick to learn. Long sessions can be too intense if you’re anxious. Around 20 minutes gives you enough repetitions to understand what works for your comfort level: how you control your breathing, how you manage your body position, and how buoyancy feels in practice.

Reviews also specifically highlight the sensation of buoyancy and the chance to admire underwater life in the Costa Brava area. Even if you’re not a confident swimmer, the way buoyancy is explained and supported makes the experience more about learning than performing.

The instructor support is the safety backbone here. You’ll have guidance at all times, and that makes a big difference for first-timers who might overthink every second.

Scuba Gear Included: What That Means for Your Travel Plan

Equipment is included, which is a real value point for travelers. You don’t need to figure out where to rent gear, how to transport it, or whether the fit will be awkward. That’s one less planning headache, and it also helps you arrive focused and ready.

Because gear is handled for you, you can plan your day around your schedule, not around technical prep. In other words: you show up, you get equipped, and you move through the session.

This included-equipment approach also makes the experience more accessible for families and first-time adults. One review even calls it a family-style activity, with a team that feels professional and patient. That’s consistent with the idea that the operator wants you safe and comfortable, not overwhelmed.

Safety and Medical Requirements: Read This Part Carefully

This activity has clear medical requirements. If you have asthma, epilepsy, lung diseases, heart problems, perforated eardrums, diabetes, or vascular diseases, you must present a specific medical certificate to do the activity.

Also, if you are pregnant, or if you’ve suffered pneumothorax, you cannot take part.

These aren’t small footnotes. They’re part of keeping the experience safe, especially during a first session where your body is adapting to new conditions. If any of these apply to you, don’t wing it. Check with your doctor and make sure you bring the right paperwork if a certificate is required.

This is also why weather matters. It’s not just about comfort. The whole setup is boat-based, and the provider states that the experience requires good weather. If conditions are poor and the tour is canceled, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Price and Value: Is $95.31 Worth It?

At $95.31 per person, it’s not a bargain-basement activity. But when you break it down, it can be good value, especially if this is your first time with scuba.

Here’s what you’re paying for:

• about 2 hours 30 minutes of guided time
• equipment included
• instructor support designed for first-timers
• roughly 20 minutes underwater in a controlled intro format
• a pathway into the Open Water course with a discount equal to what you pay here

That last point is the big value driver. The operator states that if you baptized with them, you’ll receive a discount equivalent to the price of this, to take your Open Water course afterward. In practical terms, this can mean your money here doesn’t just vanish into a one-off experience. It can become part of the cost of getting certified.

If you’re on the fence about scuba certification, this kind of credit makes sense. You get hands-on clarity about whether the experience feels right for you before committing to training.

Group Size and the Tone of the Day

With a maximum of 9 travelers, you’re not crammed into a huge group. That matters for pacing, explanations, and instructor attention. It also tends to keep the day calm, which helps when you’re about to do something physically new.

Reviews repeatedly praise professionalism and patience, and that theme fits a smaller group model. One review even mentions Iván by name as the monitor—friendly, attentive, and always checking that the group was enjoying the experience. That kind of presence is a big deal during first-time training because your comfort is part of the process.

If you’re traveling with family or a friend and you want a supportive atmosphere, this size and staffing model is the right kind of setup.

Who Should Book This Try Session (and Who Should Pause)

This experience fits best if you:

• want to try scuba with no prior experience
• like guided instruction and clear explanations
• want a first taste of underwater life in the Costa Brava area
• are curious about eventually doing an Open Water course

It’s also suitable for people from age 10, which makes it a real option for older kids and teens who can follow directions and handle a new setting calmly.

You should pause or think twice if:

• you have any of the listed medical conditions and don’t have the required certificate
• you’re pregnant, or you’ve had pneumothorax
• you’re uncomfortable with the idea of a boat-based activity that depends on good weather

If you’re healthy and curious, this is the kind of experience that can turn a casual interest into a real hobby.

Getting the Most Out of Your First Underwater Experience

You don’t need prior skills, but you do need a good mindset: show up ready to listen, follow directions, and stay calm if something feels unfamiliar. The best way to enjoy your time underwater is to cooperate with the instructor rather than try to freestyle.

From what I’d take away from the way the team is described in the reviews, the explanations and patience are a major part of success. If you ask questions, you’ll likely get straightforward answers. That kind of support helps you get your bearings fast.

Also, plan your day with the session timing in mind. Start at 10:00 am, and you’ll be finished after about 2 hours 30 minutes. That’s enough time to feel like a proper activity, but short enough to still enjoy the rest of your day in L’Estartit.

If weather affects operations, be flexible. Since the activity requires good conditions, rescheduling can happen.

Should You Book This Scuba Baptism in L’Estartit?

I’d book it if you want a beginner-friendly first scuba intro with strong instructor support, included equipment, and a clear pathway toward certification. The combination of one-on-one guidance, about 20 minutes underwater, and the credit toward the Open Water course makes it feel less like a gamble and more like a smart trial.

I’d skip it if you know you’re not able to meet the medical requirements, or if you hate anything dependent on weather and boat conditions. For many people, though, this hits the sweet spot: practical, safe, and genuinely memorable without asking you to already be comfortable in scuba.

If you want your first underwater breath to come with guidance you can trust, Medaqua’s try session in the Montgrí Natural Park is a strong choice.

FAQ

Is this experience for beginners?

Yes. It’s described as a first contact with the underwater world and is suitable without previous experience.

How long does the activity take?

It lasts about 2 hours 30 minutes.

What time does it start?

The start time is 10:00 am.

Where does the tour begin?

It starts at Pg. Marítim, 13, 17258 L’Estartit, Girona, Spain.

What age is the minimum requirement?

It’s suitable for everyone from 10 years of age.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. Use of scuba equipment is included.

What medical conditions require a certificate?

Asthma, epilepsy, lung diseases, heart problems, perforated eardrums, diabetes, or vascular diseases require a specific medical certificate.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.