Sea views are nice. Seeing them from below is better.

This Costa Brava catamaran day trip is built around the Medes Islands Marine Nature Park, where you’ll use the ship’s underwater viewing rooms to watch the wild seabed. Before you even get there, you get big-picture scenery: the bay of Roses, and the El Montgrí massif that locals liken to a sleeping bishop. I also really like the Estartit stop, with enough time to wander the port area and catch the weekly market if your day falls on Thursday.

One heads-up: the route can shift when weather changes. On rougher days, the operator may adjust what you see, which can be disappointing if you had your heart set on a very specific plan.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Underwater viewing rooms on the catamaran: the main event, made for sea-life spotting even from the surface.
• Big scenery early in the day: the bay of Roses views and the El Montgrí massif show up right away.
• Foradada at Montgó area: you may pass by the cave with a chance to spot a small boat threading through.
• 90 minutes in L’Estartit: solid town time, with Thursday market potential.
• Cala Montgó photo stop: quick walk-by views along the Costa Brava coast.
• A scenic return route: you’ll pass the Greek port area of Sant Martin de Empúries and several classic coastal spots on the way back.

Medes Islands Marine Nature Park: the real reason to book

If you’re shopping for a “wow” factor on the Costa Brava, the Medes Islands are the obvious target. The tour’s pitch is simple: reach the Medes Islands Marine Nature Park and use the catamaran’s underwater viewing rooms to get a clear look at the seabed below. This is a great approach if you want marine views without committing to a long snorkel or scuba plan.

The feeling here is different from a standard sightseeing cruise. You’re not only looking at water and coastlines. You’re looking at what’s down there, and that changes how the whole day clicks. Even if you’re not a hardcore marine person, you’ll likely find yourself pausing at the windows longer than you meant to.

One more useful detail: the Medes area is described as once home to pirates. Even if you treat that as legend-flavored flavor text, it gives the place a story vibe that fits well with the catamaran experience.

Sailing the Bay of Roses: Montgrí, Montgó, and Foradada

The day doesn’t start with paperwork. It starts with geography. Early on, you cross the bay of Roses, with the El Montgrí massif in the distance. The shape is famous for being compared to a sleeping bishop, with the mountain’s “pose” reaching in the direction of the Mediterranean.

Then you shift toward the Montgó area, including passing in front of Montgó Cove and the cave area called Foradada. The fun bit is that the route description includes a lucky-chance moment: with luck, you may see a small boat cross through the opening. That kind of detail matters because it’s the difference between pass-by scenery and an actual “did you see that?” memory.

If you like taking photos from a boat, this portion is where you’ll get your first batch. The coast here reads well even without zooming: you can frame cliffs, coves, and the dramatic mountain silhouette without needing fancy gear.

Super Underwater Vision: how to get the best out of the viewing rooms

The underwater viewing rooms are the centerpiece, so it helps to go in knowing what they’re good for. You’ll head to the Medes Islands Marine Nature Park and then get access to go down into those built-in rooms to see the seabed.

Here’s how I’d think about it as a practical experience:

• It’s a “watching” activity, not an “active” one. Great if you want a calmer day.
• Visibility can vary with conditions. On clear days, your view tends to feel more satisfying because you can read the seafloor better.
• It’s a fixed activity window. So if you want the best odds, you’ll want to be ready when you’re called in and keep your spot without overthinking it.

Also, remember this is a catamaran day. The schedule is a mix of sailing time plus a couple of land moments. The underwater part is what you’re paying for, so give it priority over anything else that looks tempting in the moment.

L’Estartit stop: 90 minutes to do the town right

When you arrive at the port of L’Estartit, you get about 1 hour 30 minutes to go into town. This is one of those time slots that works well. It’s long enough to walk around, grab a snack, and get a feel for the place, but not so long that you feel stuck.

The tour notes give you a couple of clear directions. If your day lands on Thursday, you can catch the weekly market. That matters because markets change the vibe fast. One hour in a market can be more memorable than an hour near the harbor with nothing happening.

You’ll also see streets with shopfronts that lean into marine details. If you’re into practical souvenirs (things that feel local rather than mass-made), this is often where you’ll find them. And the description points to seasonal local gastronomy—so treat this stop like a mini food-and-walk window.

A quick practical approach: pick one simple goal for the 90 minutes. Either market + coffee, or harbor walk + one meal, or a quick browse and then stop where the smell is best. With a timed stop, you get better results when you decide ahead.

Cala Montgó: a short coast walk that’s built for photos

After the town time, the itinerary includes a stop at Cala Montgó for about 15 minutes. That’s not long, but it’s enough for what this segment is meant to do: walk past the cove along the Costa Brava so you can appreciate the view and take pictures.

Think of it as a “coast hit” rather than a full beach plan. If you’re hoping for a long swim session or a long stroll, this isn’t built for that. But if you want the coast’s look in a short window—cliff lines, water color, and the kind of postcard framing you get when you’re elevated slightly—it can be worth it.

Also, this is the segment where you should be ready with your camera, since the boat schedule doesn’t wait for you to perfect your angles.

The return sail: Empúries, Sant Pere Pescador, and the Gulf of Roses

Coming back is not just travel time. The tour maps out a scenic return route through the Gulf of Roses. You’ll pass by (or near) several familiar points, including the Greek port of Sant Martin de Empúries, San Pedro Pescador, and beaches like Empuriabrava and Robina. The route continues toward Santa Margarita and then back to Roses.

Why this part matters: it gives your day a satisfying loop. You don’t just arrive, you reconnect. You also get multiple “coastal reads” in one go, which is useful if you’re trying to understand the region quickly rather than doing separate trips.

If you like scenic navigation—seeing how towns sit along the water, spotting how coastline bends and opens—pay attention during the return. The sea views often feel clearer on the way back simply because you’re already in the flow and not rushing to get off the boat.

Price and value: what $48.20 buys you here

At $48.20 per person, this tour sits in a reasonable mid-range for a half-day catamaran experience that includes the big-ticket highlight: underwater viewing at the Medes Islands Marine Nature Park.

Here’s the value logic I’d use:

• You’re not just doing a boat ride. You’re getting access to the underwater rooms, which is the feature you can’t easily replicate elsewhere without planning.
• You get two “land-to-sea” moments: time in L’Estartit plus a quick coast walk at Cala Montgó.
• You also get a broader visual sampler of the coast on the return sail.

So if your main goal is the Medes Islands and you like the idea of seeing the seabed without extra gear or extra time, the price feels like a fair trade. If, however, you’re mainly after long beach time or deep walking tours on land, the 90-minute and 15-minute segments might feel short for the money.

Group size, comfort, and timing: the practical stuff that affects your day

This is capped at 200 travelers, which is fairly big for a personal, quiet experience. The upside is that it’s efficient and doesn’t lock you into a tiny group. The downside is crowding, especially at the key moment when people want the best viewing positions—both on deck and in the underwater rooms.

Timing is also a factor. The overall duration is about 5 hours. That means you’ll spend a meaningful slice of the day on the water, and you should plan to treat it like a scheduled cruise day rather than a casual wander-and-linger plan.

Mobile ticket and easy access also help. You’ll use a mobile ticket, and the tour is listed as near public transportation, so you shouldn’t need a complex logistics puzzle to get there.

And yes, weather matters. The experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor conditions, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s not just policy language; it’s a clue that the underwater and sailing parts are where the experience lives.

Who should book this tour, and who might feel underwhelmed

This tour fits best if you:

• Want marine visuals without snorkeling or scuba planning.
• Like scenic boat days with short, well-timed breaks on land.
• Prefer a structured half-day instead of spending your entire trip driving between viewpoints.
• Appreciate simple town time with a chance to hit the Thursday market in L’Estartit.

You might feel less thrilled if you:

• Want a long beach day with lots of hours ashore.
• Are very sensitive to route changes on weather days.
• Already did a similar route in the region and are expecting the exact same stops.

That last point connects to a theme that shows up when conditions change. On at least one occasion, a weather-driven itinerary adjustment led to disappointment because the plan people expected didn’t happen. The operator response suggests they don’t treat weather as a negotiable factor, so your best move is to go in with flexible expectations.

Should you book Super Underwater Vision with Els Blaus de Roses?

If your top priority is the Medes Islands and you’re curious about seeing the seabed through the catamaran’s viewing rooms, then yes, this is a smart booking. The combination of underwater access plus short, purposeful breaks in L’Estartit and along the coast makes the time feel well spent.

If you’re chasing a very specific set of sightings, keep your plans light. This is weather-dependent at heart, and the sea has its own opinion. But if you can roll with “best day possible,” you’ll likely come away feeling you got a unique view of the Costa Brava.

FAQ

How long is the trip?

The tour lasts about 5 hours (approx.), with a 1 hour 30 minute stop in L’Estartit and a 15 minute stop at Cala Montgó.

What does the tour cost?

It’s priced at $48.20 per person.

What is the main attraction at the Medes Islands?

You can access the catamaran’s underwater viewing rooms in the Medes Islands Marine Nature Park to see the wild seabed.

Is there time to visit L’Estartit?

Yes. You get about 1 hour 30 minutes at the port of L’Estartit to visit the town.

Is the Thursday market included?

Thursday is listed as the day for the weekly market in L’Estartit, so if your tour date is Thursday, you may be able to catch it during your town stop.

Are there scenic stops along the coast?

Yes. The route includes sailing past Montgó Cove and the cave area called Foradada, plus a short walk-by stop at Cala Montgó and a scenic return passing areas like Sant Martin de Empúries, San Pedro Pescador, Empuriabrava, and Robina.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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