A quiet breath underwater can change your trip. I love the one-to-one coaching and the chance to see life in Montgrí Natural Park up close. One thing to note: if you damage or lose any provided equipment, you pay.

The vibe is friendly and calm, even if you’ve never done this before. In feedback I saw a guide named Lucas getting singled out for a warm welcome and for helping people feel reassured fast, which matters when you’re trying something new. You also have a small group (max 9), so the attention stays focused.

In about 2.5 hours, you’ll combine an introductory scuba session with time snorkeling afterward. You start at Medaqua, take a boat out, then return to L’Estartit harbor with a clear sense of what you just did and what you’ll want to explore next.

Key highlights you’ll actually feel

• One-to-one instruction with a certified instructor, not a crowded “line up and go” setup
• Up to 20 minutes underwater learning how breathing and buoyancy work
• Independent snorkeling after so you can keep exploring with your snorkel and mask
• Boat access to the Montgrí / Medes Islands / Baix Ter Natural Park area
• Small group of 9 max, which makes it easier to ask questions and get help quickly
• Guides working in Catalan, English, French, Spanish, so you’re not stuck guessing

First steps at Medaqua in L’Estartit: check-in and a stress-free start

Your experience begins at the Medaqua Snorkel Tours store. You check in there first, then you’ll have a very short walk (about 5 minutes) to start the activity. It’s a good setup for a first-timer, because you’re not dealing with confusing transfers or long waits before anything happens.

Next comes getting geared up. The tour includes scuba and snorkeling gear, plus a safety briefing before you get in the water. You’ll want to show up ready to swim in your own basics: swimwear on, since that saves time once you’re at the start point.

Plan to bring what’s required: passport or ID card, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. If you forget sunscreen, you’ll feel it later because you’ll be out on the water. And if you skip the ID, you risk getting stuck at check-in.

A small but important detail: equipment responsibility is on you. The tour notes that any equipment that gets broken, damaged, or lost must be paid for by the participant. That doesn’t mean you should be nervous—it just means handle gear carefully, listen to the instructor, and don’t force it when something feels off.

The boat ride to Medes Islands: why “getting there” is part of the value

Once you’re checked in and briefed, you board a dedicated boat for the outing. This is one of the practical advantages of doing this from L’Estartit: you’re not trying to reach the best water by swimming from shore.

You travel toward the coastlines connected with Montgrí Natural Park, including the Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park area. For a beginner, boat access is huge. It means less effort before you even start, and it also helps you spend your limited time underwater where the protected waters make the experience worthwhile.

The whole tour is designed to fit into a 2.5-hour window, including the return boat trip to the harbor. That keeps the day simple: you’re not turning this into a half-day mega project just to see a little marine life.

Your first scuba try in Montgrí waters: the 20-minute plan that actually makes sense

This is built for beginners. You get a safety briefing and a diving introduction from your certified instructor, with a personal 1-to-1 setup. That matters because a first-timer doesn’t need a lecture—they need clear steps, quick fixes, and someone watching you closely.

Here’s what you can expect during the underwater session:

• You’ll learn basics right before going in, focused on how breathing and floating feel with scuba equipment.
• The instructor stays with you while you go underwater.
• You’ll explore the water with marine life around you for up to 20 minutes.

That 20-minute window isn’t random. It’s long enough to get a real sense of what scuba feels like, but short enough that you’re not overwhelmed. And the tour’s highlights emphasize the peaceful side: breathing calmly and floating below the surface while you look for fish and plant life.

You’ll likely notice that the ocean changes how everything sounds and feels. Your brain has to shift gears from “surface world” to “underwater time.” With the instructor right there, that shift tends to feel manageable instead of scary.

Also, you’re not expected to be an expert swimmer. The activity is structured as a guided introduction. Still, you should go in with a positive mindset and a willingness to follow directions. If you get anxious easily in new environments, tell the instructor early—they can pace you accordingly.

Snorkeling afterward: more time with fish, in your own rhythm

After the underwater session, you switch into snorkeling mode. You get snorkel and mask, and then you’ll snorkel independently to explore further in the park’s protected waters.

The schedule includes about 50 minutes of snorkeling in total. That’s a nice balance. The scuba part gives you the wow-factor of being underwater with gear, but snorkeling is where you can relax a little and focus purely on what you’re seeing.

What I like about this combo is that it gives you two different ways of experiencing the same ecosystem:

• Scuba teaches you how to move slowly and breathe underwater.
• Snorkeling lets you cover more surface area without the equipment learning curve.

And because the park is protected, you’re not just hunting for random fish. You’re exploring a place that’s meant to be preserved.

Practical tip: once you’re snorkeling, keep your movements calm. Most people who struggle underwater aren’t fighting the sea—they’re fighting their own breathing and panic. The earlier instruction helps, and then your time afterward becomes a steady observation session.

What marine life looks like around the protected reserve

Montgrí Natural Park is known for biodiversity, and this tour is specifically timed so beginners can enjoy it without feeling like they need gear mastery. The experience highlights include plant life and fish, and the expectation is that you’ll be surrounded by marine life during the underwater session.

Since you’re in a protected area, you should treat the water like a living showroom:

• Look slowly instead of darting your head.
• Watch for movement patterns—fish often change direction together.
• Notice plant life along where the water shifts in depth and texture.

The Medes Islands area is a reason divers and snorkelers keep coming back to this corner of the Costa Brava. Even without naming specific species, the big idea is simple: protected marine habitat + good conditions + beginner-friendly access.

If you’re hoping for a calm first experience, this is a smart match. You’re not chasing extreme depths or advanced currents. You’re learning how to be a respectful observer.

Price and value: is $92 fair for 2.5 hours in Costa Brava?

At $92 per person for a 2.5-hour outing, you’re paying for more than “gear and a guide.” You’re paying for three real pieces of value:

1. Instruction and safety

You get a safety briefing, an introduction, and a certified instructor with a small group format. For a beginner, that reduces wasted time and lowers the stress factor.

1. Boat access

You’re not doing this from a beach with no support. The tour includes a boat trip out to the Montgrí / Medes Islands / Baix Ter Natural Park area, then a return to L’Estartit harbor.

1. Equipment included

Scuba gear and snorkeling gear are included, which is a big cost saver if you’re only doing this once.

What’s not included is straightforward: no hotel pickup and no food or drinks. That’s normal for short excursions. If you’re planning your day, just budget for a snack or meal before or after.

One more value note: because the group is capped at 9 and the instruction is 1-to-1, you’re less likely to feel like a number. You get time to ask questions and get corrected quickly.

If you’re trying scuba for the first time, $92 can feel like a lot—or like a bargain—depending on whether you’ll get actual guidance. This format is designed to deliver the guidance part.

Who should book this tour, and who should skip it

This experience is a strong fit if you:

• Are a true beginner and want a first scuba try with close attention
• Want a calm, guided intro plus snorkeling afterward
• Prefer a small group and multiple language options (Catalan, English, French, Spanish)

It may not be a fit if you’re dealing with specific health situations. The tour requires a medical certificate for people with asthma, epilepsy, lung disease, heart problems, perforation of eardrums, diabetes, or vascular diseases. People who have suffered pneumothorax cannot participate. Pregnant women are not suitable.

So if you’re unsure, treat the medical notes seriously. This is not a “power through it” type of activity.

On the plus side, it is listed as wheelchair accessible, which is helpful for some travelers who need accessible options.

Quick practical tips so you enjoy the whole 2.5 hours

These are the basics that help your day run smoothly:

• Bring ID/passport, swimwear, towel, and sunscreen.
• Listen carefully during the safety briefing. Your comfort underwater depends on understanding the instructions.
• Follow the instructor’s guidance on gear handling. With the equipment responsibility rule, take care with every strap and part.
• If you’re prone to ear discomfort or you have medical conditions listed by the tour, sort out paperwork ahead of time.

Also, remember that you’re doing two water activities in one package: the underwater intro plus snorkeling. You’ll enjoy it more if you keep your energy steady and don’t treat the snorkeling as an afterthought.

If you want the day to feel fun rather than stressful, go in expecting to learn. That mindset makes the peaceful moments—breathing, floating, watching fish—feel like part of the win.

Final call: should you book Medaqua’s try scuba + snorkeling in L’Estartit?

I’d book this if you want a beginner-friendly, guided way to experience Montgrí’s marine reserve without complicated logistics. The 1-to-1 attention, the short, sensible underwater time (up to 20 minutes), and the extra snorkeling time make the $92 feel more like a complete experience than a quick stunt.

Skip it if you fall into the medical categories that require documentation and you can’t get the right clearance, or if you’re pregnant. And take the equipment responsibility note seriously—be careful with gear and you’ll be fine.

If you’re visiting Costa Brava and you want a memorable water activity that’s guided, paced, and small-group, this is a very solid choice from L’Estartit.

FAQ

How long is the activity?

The experience lasts about 2.5 hours total.

What is included in the price?

It includes the boat trip, instructor, scuba and snorkeling gear, safety briefing, a 20-minute underwater session, and snorkeling.

Where do I meet the tour?

Check in at the Medaqua Snorkel Tours store in L’Estartit.

Is hotel pickup included?

No, hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Is it suitable for complete beginners?

Yes. It’s set up as a beginner-friendly experience with instruction and guidance.

What language will the instructor speak?

The instructor can work in Catalan, English, French, and Spanish.

Is there a limit on group size?

Yes. The small group is limited to 9 participants.

What health restrictions apply?

People with asthma, epilepsy, lung disease, heart problems, perforation of eardrums, diabetes, or vascular diseases must present a specific medical certificate. People who have suffered pneumothorax cannot participate, and pregnant women are not suitable.