From Roses: Sailing Catamaran Cruise to Medes Islands

The best part of this five-and-a-half-hour catamaran cruise is the simple rhythm: sail, swim, eat, sunbathe, and sail back. The Medes Islands rise from the sea off the Costa Brava, and the route gives you open-water views that are hard to get from shore.

I like the generous stop for swimming and the fact that lunch is cooked on board rather than packed in a box. I also like the nets at the front of the boat, where you can watch the water slide beneath you. The main caution is that this is a shared boat trip, so a late departure or a noisy group can affect the mood.

Key points before you book

• The Medes Islands are viewed from the water: This is a sailing and swimming cruise, not a walking tour of the islands.
• The main swim stop lasts about two hours: The boat stops at Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa, depending on the route and conditions.
• Lunch is a proper barbecue: Expect chicken breasts, skewers, sausages, salads, bread, and watermelon.
• Drinks are included: Water, soft drinks, regional wine, and sangria are served, with mineral water available throughout.
• Snorkeling is available: Equipment requires a €10 deposit, but underwater visibility can vary with anchorage and conditions.
• Bring patience as well as sunscreen: One departure was reported to run an hour late, and the shared-boat atmosphere can become lively.

Sailing out from Roses across the Bay of Roses

You meet the catamaran at the Dock of Ginjolers, at 153 Av. de Rhode, in central Roses, directly in front of Hotel Ramblamar. That central location makes the start easy to find if you are staying in town, though I would still arrive with time to spare.

Once aboard, the boat heads across the Bay of Roses. A catamaran gives you several ways to enjoy the ride. You can sit in the shaded or open seating areas, move around for a better view, or stretch out on the forward nets. Those nets are one of the more memorable parts of the trip. As the catamaran moves, you feel as if you are floating above the sea, with the water passing below.

The route is as much about the coast as the destination. You’ll see the shoreline of the Costa Brava from offshore, then look toward the village of L’Estartit and the Montgrí massif as the boat approaches the Medes Islands. This is a good trip for anyone who wants a broad view of the coast rather than a tightly scheduled run from one landmark to the next.

The cruise is offered in Spanish, English, and French. No individual guide names are provided, so the experience depends more on the crew, the captain, the weather, and the mix of people aboard than on a named tour leader.

Seeing the Medes Islands from the sea

The Medes Islands form the focus of the outing, but keep your expectations clear. You tour around the islands by boat rather than walk ashore and explore trails or buildings. The appeal is the rock, the open water, and the protected marine setting around the islands.

Approaching by catamaran lets you see the islands from changing angles. The boat can weave among them, giving you views of the rocky formations and the surrounding coast. The route also brings the Montgrí massif into view, adding a strong inland contrast to the sea.

I like this arrangement because you do not lose half the day to transfers. You stay on the water and let the route provide the scenery. At the same time, this is not a sightseeing cruise packed with formal commentary. If you want detailed natural history or a long explanation of the park, you may find the presentation fairly light.

The sea is the real attraction here. On a clear day, the combination of turquoise water, rocky islands, and the Costa Brava coastline makes the trip feel much more special than a standard harbor cruise. On a cloudy or windy day, the scenery still works, but the water may not have the same clear color shown in promotional photographs.

The swim at Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa

The catamaran anchors for roughly two hours at Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa. This is the part of the day when the schedule slows down. You can swim, use the snorkeling gear, stay on deck, or simply lie in the sun while lunch is prepared.

Cala Montgó is a sheltered coastal cove, while Illa Pedrosa gives the stop a more island-focused setting. The exact choice matters less than the fact that you get a long break from sailing. You are not being rushed into a quick photo stop and immediately called back aboard.

Still, do not assume the boat will put you directly beside shallow reefs full of fish. One passenger found the snorkeling disappointing because the anchorage was too deep, and only a short period was spent close to the islands. That is useful advice: bring snorkeling equipment for the chance to use it, not as the sole reason for booking.

The supplied equipment requires a €10 deposit. Life jackets are available for both adults and children. The trip is therefore friendly to families who want a boat day without having to arrange their own safety gear, though parents should still keep a close eye on children around the water and the boat’s edges.

The swimming stop also reveals the main compromise of a shared catamaran. Some people will jump in and swim for most of the break. Others will stay dry and claim a sunny spot. The boat has to suit both groups, and the mood can change if one large group treats the deck as a party venue.

A barbecue lunch prepared while you swim

While you are in the water or relaxing on deck, the crew prepares lunch aboard the catamaran. The meal includes chicken breasts, skewers, sausages, green salad, Russian salad, bread, and watermelon for dessert.

That menu gives the trip a relaxed picnic feel, but with hot food and sea views. I like the practical value here. You are not spending extra money searching for lunch in a coastal town, and you do not have to pack a full meal before boarding.

Drinks are part of the package. Water and soft drinks are available during the whole trip. With lunch, you can have still or sparkling water, regional red, rosé, or white wine, and sangria. That is a generous drink arrangement for a half-day cruise, especially at $66 per person.

The food is best understood as a casual barbecue rather than a destination meal. The meat-heavy menu should suit many people, but vegetarian choices appear limited. A vegetarian hamburger was found unsatisfying, described as too strong in flavor, so I would not book this trip expecting a carefully planned vegetarian menu. If you do not eat meat, confirm what can be provided before paying.

The crew serves lunch on board, so you remain part of the cruise rather than breaking the day into separate boat and restaurant activities. That sounds small, but it helps the outing feel like one complete experience.

The atmosphere on a shared catamaran

The boat is described as spacious and comfortable, but space is still shared space. You may have families, couples, groups of friends, and party-minded passengers aboard at the same time.

Most of the appeal comes from the informal setting. You can sit with a drink, watch the coast, use the nets, and move between the water and the deck. There is no need to dress up, and the schedule leaves room for doing very little, which is often exactly what you want on a Costa Brava beach day.

The possible downside is noise. One recent departure included a large German group whose partying made the trip unpleasant for other people. That is not something the itinerary can fully control, but it is worth considering if you want a quiet sailing experience. For a calmer outing, a private boat or a smaller sailing trip would give you more control, usually at a higher price.

Punctuality is another practical concern. One departure ran an hour late without clear information from the crew. I would not build a tight dinner reservation, train connection, or second excursion around the scheduled return. A boat trip is affected by loading, weather, sea conditions, and the behavior of the group, so allow some breathing room.

Is $66 a fair price?

At $66 per person, this is good value if you use the full package. You receive five and a half hours on the water, a catamaran cruise, a substantial barbecue lunch, drinks, a swim stop, life jackets, and access to snorkeling equipment with a refundable-style deposit requirement.

The price is especially reasonable for couples and families who would otherwise pay separately for a boat rental, lunch, and drinks. It also removes the work of planning a route to the Medes Islands. You board in central Roses and let the crew handle the sailing, anchoring, meal preparation, and return.

The value drops if you mainly want to snorkel. Water visibility and depth are not guaranteed, and the boat may anchor in a place better suited to swimming than fish watching. It also drops if you dislike group activities, loud music, or waiting for other passengers.

One useful family detail comes from the booking information: a child under six was treated as free in one family booking. Check the current child policy before reserving, since the supplied information does not give a full age table.

Only card payments are accepted aboard, and American Express is not accepted. That matters for extra purchases or deposits, so carry a usable Visa or Mastercard rather than relying on cash or Amex.

What to bring for the five-and-a-half-hour outing

Pack for a long period outdoors. You will want swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a light layer for the ride back if the wind picks up.

A waterproof pouch is useful for phones and cards. The boat includes drinks and lunch, so you do not need to bring a full picnic. You may still want personal snacks if you have dietary needs, but the provided information does not confirm outside food rules, so ask the crew first.

If snorkeling matters to you, bring realistic expectations. The equipment is available for a €10 deposit, but the stop may not offer the shallow, clear conditions you hope for. The water can be beautiful for swimming even when it is not ideal for viewing fish.

Wear footwear that is easy to remove and safe around a wet deck. Avoid bringing anything fragile or bulky. The less you carry, the easier it is to move between the seating areas, swimming point, and forward nets.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend this catamaran trip to you if you want a low-effort Costa Brava day on the water. It suits couples, families, and groups who value swimming, lunch, and scenery more than detailed commentary or a silent sailing atmosphere.

It is also a good match if you are staying in Roses and want to see the Medes Islands without organizing transport to another port. The central meeting point, included meal, and drinks make the day straightforward.

You may want another option if you need a carefully managed vegetarian meal, dislike shared group outings, or want guaranteed snorkeling in shallow water. Likewise, if punctuality is vital, leave extra time around the tour and do not schedule anything important immediately afterward.

Should you book the Medes Islands catamaran?

Book it if you see the trip as a relaxed sail-and-swim day with lunch, not as a specialist snorkeling expedition. The strongest parts are the coastal views, the forward nets, the long swimming break, and the convenience of having barbecue food and drinks included.

At $66, the package gives you a lot for a half-day outing. Just accept the limits: the boat may be lively, the departure may not run perfectly on time, and underwater conditions can disappoint. If those points do not bother you, this is a practical way to experience the Costa Brava from the sea.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

It departs from the Dock of Ginjolers in central Roses, at 153 Av. de Rhode, 17480 Roses, Girona, in front of Hotel Ramblamar.

How long does the cruise last?

The full activity lasts five and a half hours.

Which languages are available?

The tour is offered in Spanish, English, and French.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch 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. During lunch, you can also have still or sparkling water, regional red, rosé, and white wine, plus sangria.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available with a €10 deposit. Life jackets are provided for adults and children.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The booking option also allows you to reserve now and pay later.