L’Estartit: Boat Trip to the Medes Islands and the NP Caves

The best part of this trip is the boat itself. The Nuria is a small Catalan fishing boat built on L’Estartit’s beach in 1942, and its size lets you get close to the Medes Islands, sea caves, and quiet coves without the feel of a large sightseeing vessel. You spend 90 minutes on the water, with views above and below the surface.

I like the 20-passenger limit, which makes the ride more personal, and I like the floor-level glass panels placed in front of your seat. You can watch for marine life without putting on a mask or leaving the boat. The main consideration is that commentary may be light, so this is better for scenery and boat handling than for a detailed natural-history lesson.

Key points

• Historic small boat: Ride the Nuria, a Catalan fishing boat built in 1942.
• Small group: The boat carries a maximum of 20 passengers.
• Two views of the sea: Look through the floor windows and out across the Montgrí coast.
• Caves and coves: The route includes close views and entry into one of the coastal caves.
• Seasonal swim: From around mid-June through September, conditions permitting, you can swim for about 10 minutes.
• Four languages: The activity is offered in Catalan, English, Spanish, and French.

A 1942 fishing boat with room for only 20

From the start, this is a different kind of boat trip. You meet the Nuria at the beginning of L’Estartit harbour, near the fishing boats, then follow the crew aboard for a compact coastal cruise. The boat was built in 1942 on L’Estartit’s beach, a detail that gives the ride a strong local feel rather than a polished excursion-boat atmosphere.

The limit of 20 passengers matters. You are not being carried around in a large crowd, and the narrow boat can approach the rocky shoreline and cave entrances more closely. That also means seating and movement may feel more confined than on a broad modern vessel, but the tradeoff is a more intimate view of the coast.

You should arrive about 15 minutes before departure. At the harbour, follow Passeig Marítim toward the end, pass the small playground and information kiosks, then turn right after the last kiosk. Look for fishing boats and a white board marked BARCA NURIA in red.

Leaving L’Estartit for Montgrí Natural Park

The cruise begins at the Espigó de Llevant and quickly puts you in a good position to see the shore from the water. Montgrí Natural Park combines rocky coast, small coves, and clear Mediterranean water, so the scenery changes as the Nuria moves between open stretches and sheltered inlets.

I would treat this first part as a slow sightseeing ride, not a transport service. You will want time to look away from the boat, take photographs, and watch for changes in the rock formations. The route includes scenic views, photo stops, and visits to coastal points, although the exact order can change with sea and weather conditions.

The boat’s size is especially useful here. A small vessel gives you a closer angle on the shoreline than you usually get from a high-sided sightseeing boat. At the same time, the ride can feel more exposed if the sea is choppy. A recent outing continued successfully despite noticeable swell, but the motion may bother you if you are sensitive to seasickness.

Sea caves that reward careful timing

One of the trip’s strongest features is the passage through the caves. The pilot takes the Nuria inside one of them, giving you a close view of the rock, the waterline, and the way daylight reaches into the opening. This is not a long cave expedition, but it is more memorable than simply passing a cave from offshore.

The boat’s compact design helps here. You get a lower, closer view, and the pilot can show you parts of the coast that would be difficult to approach in a larger vessel. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire passage looking at a screen. The best view may last only a short time as the boat turns or moves back into open water.

The route also passes coves within the park. In spring and autumn, these quieter inlets are a major part of the appeal. Without the summer swimming focus, the cruise becomes a calm way to see the coast from sea level and enjoy the park at a slower pace.

Seeing marine life through the glass-bottom panels

The Nuria has glass panels in the floor, positioned in front of the seats. This lets you look below the boat during the ride and search for marine life in the protected waters around the Medes Islands and the natural reserve.

The glass-bottom feature is useful, but it needs realistic expectations. You are watching through a moving boat, not joining a dedicated snorkeling trip. Visibility depends on sunlight, water conditions, boat movement, and where the Nuria pauses. You may see fish or other signs of underwater life, but the experience is not guaranteed to provide a constant display.

I like this arrangement because it gives you two ways to spend the trip. You can watch the coast, cliffs, and caves, then shift your attention downward when the boat slows or stops. If you want longer viewing time, sit where you can comfortably look through the panels and keep your eyes open during the marine-life stops.

Some passengers have wished for longer periods to observe underwater life. That is a fair point. The 90-minute schedule has to fit the coast, caves, Medes Islands, and return to the harbour, so each part receives only a portion of the trip.

The Medes Islands from sea level

The Medes Islands are the main destination, and the cruise gives you a close look at this protected island group without requiring a separate walking excursion. You will see the islands from the water, view marine life through the glass panels, and pause for photographs.

The islands are particularly well suited to this kind of trip because the boat lets you appreciate both their above-water form and what lies below the surface. The protected waters are part of the experience, and the glass-bottom viewing gives you a small window into that underwater setting.

You should not expect a long island walk. The published route describes marine-life viewing, a glass-bottom boat ride, and a visit, but the experience is primarily a cruise. If you want a land-based hike, this is not the right format. If you want to see the Medes Islands without committing a full day, the 90-minute length works well.

The route returns to L’Estartit after the island visit. That makes the trip easy to fit into a day built around the harbour, beach, or other activities in the town.

The seasonal 10-minute swim

From around mid-June through September, the trip may include a 10-minute swim in the clear waters of Montgrí Natural Park. The swim happens only when weather and sea conditions allow. The activity information gives slightly different seasonal wording, so I would confirm the exact start and end dates when booking.

This is a short swim, not a full snorkeling session. Its value is the chance to get into the Mediterranean during the cruise, cool off, and see the coast from the water rather than from the boat. You should plan for the possibility that conditions cancel the swim, especially outside the main summer period.

The seasonal difference is worth noting. In summer, the swim adds a physical element to the outing. In spring and autumn, the focus shifts toward quiet coves, photographs, cave views, and the glass-bottom panels. I would choose the timing based on what matters most to you rather than assuming every departure offers the same experience.

What the guide service is really like

The tour is offered in Catalan, English, Spanish, and French. That makes it practical for an international audience, and a French-speaking guide is available on departures where that language is selected.

Still, I would not book this expecting a continuous lecture. The boat trip is guided, but commentary may be limited during parts of the cruise. Some departures have received praise for friendly, pleasant French-language service, while another account specifically found that there was little real guiding or explanation during the outing.

That does not ruin the experience, especially if your priority is the coast, caves, and boat ride. It does change the value for anyone hoping to learn detailed facts about marine biology, the islands, or the park. If you want a fully narrated nature tour, check the language and guide arrangements before paying.

Is $28 a fair price for 90 minutes?

At $28 per person, the trip is reasonably priced for a small-group coastal cruise that includes the Medes Islands, Montgrí Natural Park, cave viewing, and glass-bottom panels. The 20-passenger limit gives it more character than a basic harbour ride, and the historic Nuria is part of what you are paying for.

The value is strongest if you want several sights in a short period. You see the coast, coves, caves, and Medes Islands in one outing, with a possible swim in summer. You also avoid committing half a day to a boat excursion.

The value is less convincing if you are mainly interested in extended underwater viewing or a long swim. Ten minutes in the water is brief, and the glass panels offer views during a moving cruise rather than a prolonged marine-life session.

I would also factor in the nature of the commentary. If you see the trip as a scenic ride with local character, $28 feels fair. If you want a detailed guided lesson, the limited explanation on some departures may leave you wanting more.

Who will enjoy the Nuria most?

I think this trip suits you if you want a short outing with several different elements. You get a historic boat, protected coastal scenery, a cave passage, underwater viewing, and possibly a swim, all without spending an entire day at sea.

It is a good choice for families and mixed-age groups because you can enjoy the water without everyone needing to swim. The glass panels give non-swimmers something to watch, while the summer swim adds interest for people who want to get wet.

It also suits couples or solo visitors who prefer a small boat over a large organized cruise. The 20-person limit keeps the setting personal, although you should still expect limited room compared with a larger vessel.

I would think twice if you need a quiet, perfectly smooth ride, since sea conditions can create noticeable movement. I would also choose another activity if your main goal is a long snorkeling session, a substantial island walk, or a detailed lecture from a naturalist.

Practical advice before you go

Arrive 15 minutes early and allow enough time to find the boat inside the harbour. The meeting point is not simply the main promenade. You need to follow Passeig Marítim to the end, pass the playground and information kiosks, turn right, and look for the white BARCA NURIA sign.

Bring a way to protect yourself from the sun, since much of the trip takes place outdoors. If you are prone to seasickness, consider the sea conditions before departure and avoid arriving on an empty stomach. The boat is small, which improves the views but can make motion more noticeable.

For the best experience, divide your attention. Watch the rocky coast during the scenic sections, look through the floor panels when the boat slows, and keep your camera ready near the caves and island stops. If swimming is important to you, confirm the seasonal dates and the conditions before you set out.

The activity allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check the available departure that fits your day.

Should you book this boat trip?

Book it if you want an affordable, compact introduction to the coast around L’Estartit, especially if the idea of riding a 1942 fishing boat appeals to you. The combination of a 20-person group, sea caves, Medes Islands, and glass-bottom viewing gives the trip more character than a basic coastal cruise.

Go with realistic expectations about the guide commentary and the underwater viewing time. The boat ride, scenery, and cave passage are the strongest reasons to book. The seasonal swim is a welcome extra, not the main event.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip leave from?

The meeting point is at Port de l’Estartit, at the beginning of the harbour near the fishing boats. Follow Passeig Marítim to the end, pass the small playground and information kiosks, turn right after the last kiosk, and look for the white BARCA NURIA board with red lettering.

How long does the activity last?

The boat trip lasts 1.5 hours, or 90 minutes.

How many people can ride on the Nuria?

The Nuria is designed for a limited group of 20 passengers.

What can I see during the cruise?

The route includes Montgrí Natural Park, coastal coves, sea caves, the Medes Islands, scenic viewpoints, and marine life through the boat’s glass-bottom panels.

Is swimming included?

A roughly 10-minute swim may be available from around mid-June through September, provided weather and sea conditions allow. Confirm the exact seasonal dates before booking.

Is the boat trip available in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in Catalan, English, Spanish, and French.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

Do I pay when I book?

You can reserve your place and pay later, which keeps your plans flexible.