From LEstartit: Snorkeling Trip to the Medes Islands

If you’re dreaming of exploring crystal-clear waters teeming with colorful fish and lush marine plants, a snorkeling trip to the Medes Islands might be just what you need. Offered by Medaqua from L’Estartit, this experience promises a fun, educational, and visually stunning adventure that highlights one of the Mediterranean’s top marine reserves. Priced at around $42 per person, it offers a well-balanced mix of guided exploration and free time for sunbathing and swimming—perfect for families, adventurers, or anyone wanting a taste of underwater serenity.

What really sets this tour apart is the emphasis on professional guides and quality equipment, ensuring a safe and enjoyable outing even for beginners or nervous swimmers. However, most reviews suggest that the visibility can vary depending on the day, and the experience is best appreciated with a flexible attitude. If you’re after a straightforward, well-organized snorkeling trip that delivers both scenery and education in a compact time frame, this activity is an excellent choice.

Who is this tour perfect for?

This trip suits those who want an accessible introduction to Mediterranean marine life with the safety net of knowledgeable guides, especially families with kids, first-timers, or travelers looking for a cost-effective, scenic excursion. It’s less ideal for those with mobility concerns or if your priority is a longer, more secluded snorkeling adventure.

Key Points

• Value for Money: At $42, it offers a comprehensive experience with quality gear and expert guidance.
• Expert Guides: Guides like Frieda and Regina are praised for their knowledge, friendliness, and ability to make everyone feel at ease.
• Stunning Marine Environment: The Medes Islands are renowned for vibrant fish, marine flora, and scenic rocky formations.
• Flexible Experience: The tour includes a mixture of snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, and a short cruise around the islands—catering to varied interests.
• Well-Organized & Safe: Equipment is provided, groups are small, and instructions are clear, making the trip suitable even for beginners.
• Authentic & Personal: Small groups and personal equipment, like individual snorkel tubes, foster a more intimate connection with nature.

The Itinerary: What You Can Expect

Meeting Point & Preparation

Your adventure kicks off at the Medaqua activity center in L’Estartit, where you’ll exchange your booking voucher for your gear and meet your guides. This meeting point is straightforward, and reviews mention that the staff is friendly and ready with clean, well-maintained equipment—including fins, wetsuits, masks, and your personal snorkel tube, which you get to keep as a souvenir.

Before heading out, there’s an eco-briefing—a short, clear explanation of how to use the gear and what marine life to expect. This is especially reassuring for first-timers or those a bit nervous about swimming in open water. Guides like Regina and Frieda are noted for their patience and thoroughness, often sharing interesting tidbits about the underwater environment.

Boat Ride & Arrival at the Islands

Once on board, the boat ride is only about 10-15 minutes, offering scenic views of the coastline. The boat itself is described as small but comfortable, allowing for a more intimate, less crowded experience. The short cruise often includes a quick tour around the islands, giving you a chance to admire the rugged cliffs and natural scenery from the water.

Snorkeling in the Medes Islands

The core of the experience is the snorkeling session, typically lasting about 50 minutes. You’ll be divided into small groups of 8-10 people, each led by a guide who will point out the best spots to see fish and marine plants. Expect to see colorful fish, interesting rock formations, and vibrant coral—a true highlight for nature lovers.

Reviews highlight that guides like Frieda are attentive, often shadowing participants to build confidence, especially for kids or nervous swimmers. One reviewer mentioned how Frieda was “very helpful and briefed us about the smallest of the smallest information,” which adds a layer of educational value to the trip.

Relaxing & Additional Cruising

After snorkeling, you can relax on the boat’s deck, sunbathing or swimming in the clear waters. Many reviews note the value of this downtime—whether just soaking up the sun or floating in the calm sea. When the weather is pleasant, the tour includes a short cruise around the islands, allowing you to appreciate the dramatic scenery and rugged coastline from the water.

Return & Optional Extras

The tour concludes back at the harbor, with most visitors feeling that the experience was well-paced and fulfilling. As a small bonus, each snorkeler gets to keep their personal snorkel tube, which many reviewers find makes the memory even more special.

Equipment & Safety: What You Need to Know

The tour includes all necessary gear—mask, fins, wetsuits, and a personal snorkel tube. Many reviewers comment positively on the quality and cleanliness of the equipment, noting that the staff is thorough in providing a good fit for everyone. The live life vests and wetsuits add confidence for less experienced swimmers, making the experience accessible for a broad range of ages.

Safety is a recurring theme in reviews. Guides like Regina and Frieda are praised for their knowledge and attentiveness, ensuring that everyone feels secure. The small group sizes mean that guides can keep an eye on everyone, providing clear instructions and assistance if needed.

What to Bring & Not to Bring

To make the most of your trip, remember to bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and drinks. Given the sun exposure, sunscreen is vital—many reviews also recommend hats or sunglasses for extra comfort. Smoking and feeding animals are not allowed, maintaining the pristine environment.

The Experience in Context: Value & Authenticity

At $42, this snorkeling trip offers impressive value. It combines professional guidance, quality equipment, and a stunning natural environment in a compact 2.5-hour window. Reviewers frequently mention the small group sizes, which foster a more personalized experience, and the knowledgeable guides who make marine life identification both easy and interesting.

Compared to other tours, many feel that the Medaqua offering strikes a good balance of affordability and quality. For families or first-time snorkelers, the guide’s patient approach and clear instructions mean that even nervous participants often feel reassured.

While some reviews mention that wildlife sightings can vary (with some noting only “regular amounts of small fish”), the overall consensus is that the experience is worth it, especially when combined with the opportunity to relax and enjoy the scenery.

Potential Drawbacks

A few reviews hinted at some disappointment with the amount of marine life seen, but generally, most visitors find the variety and visibility of fish acceptable. The tour’s duration, though short, is enough for a rewarding taste of underwater beauty without feeling rushed. Weather conditions, of course, can impact what you see, so flexible expectations are advisable.

Who Should Book This Tour?

This trip is ideal for beginners, families, and travelers seeking a quick, scenic, and educational outing. It’s great if you want a guided experience with professional equipment and small groups, making it suitable for kids and less confident swimmers. If you’re after a lengthy, secluded snorkeling adventure, you might prefer a different tour, but for a value-packed, accessible introduction to the Medes Islands, this stands out.

Final Thoughts

This snorkeling trip to the Medes Islands offers a balanced mix of adventure, education, and relaxation. The guides’ friendliness and knowledge, combined with quality equipment and the stunning scenery, make it a memorable experience for many. The tour’s short duration makes it perfect for a half-day activity—leaving plenty of time to explore L’Estartit village afterward or relax on the beach.

Expect vibrant marine life, scenic boat rides, and a chance to connect with nature in a safe, organized setting. It’s especially suited for families, first-timers, or anyone wanting a straightforward way to enjoy the Mediterranean’s underwater world without breaking the bank.

FAQs

Is this tour suitable for children?
Yes, many reviews mention that the guides are attentive and able to make children feel comfortable. The small groups and quality gear help make it a safe and enjoyable experience for younger participants.

Do I need prior snorkeling experience?
No, the tour is designed to be accessible for beginners. The eco-briefing and guide support ensure that even first-timers can feel confident in the water.

What should I bring with me?
Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and drinks. Sunscreen is especially important given the exposure, and it’s advisable to wear or bring a hat or sunglasses.

How long does the snorkeling last?
The snorkeling portion of the tour lasts approximately 50 minutes, but total tour time including boat rides and relaxing on deck is about 2.5 hours.

Can I keep the snorkel tube?
Yes, each participant receives a personal snorkel tube to keep as a souvenir.

Is the tour weather-dependent?
Yes, weather conditions can affect visibility and the overall experience. Most tours are canceled or rescheduled if conditions are unsafe or unsuitable.

This snorkeling trip to the Medes Islands provides a well-rounded, value-for-money adventure that’s perfect for those wanting to enjoy the Mediterranean’s underwater charm with expert guidance in a relaxed setting. Whether you’re in for the marine scenery or just craving a break on the water, it’s an experience worth considering for your Costa Brava itinerary.