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

The most memorable part of this outing is the boat itself. The Nuria was built on L’Estartit beach in 1942, and its small size gives you a close-up ride along the Medes Islands, sea caves, and coves of Montgrí Natural Park rather than a standard harbor cruise.

I like the intimate 20-person limit and the glass panels set into the floor in front of your seat. You can watch the seabed without leaving the boat, then enjoy a 10-minute swim in clear water during the summer season. The main drawback is that the commentary may be brief, and rough seas can make viewing marine life less easy.

Key points to know

• Historic boat: The Nuria is a Catalan fishing boat built on L’Estartit beach in 1942.
• Small group: The boat carries up to 20 passengers, making the ride quieter and more personal than a large excursion boat.
• Glass-bottom viewing: Floor panels let you watch the underwater reserve from your seat.
• Cave passages: The route includes close views of sea caves and coves in Montgrí Natural Park.
• Seasonal swim: From June 15 through September, weather permitting, you get about 10 minutes in the water.
• Short and affordable: At $28 per person for 1.5 hours, it works well as a half-day add-on rather than a full-day outing.

A 1942 fishing boat with room for only 20

The Nuria gives this trip its character. This is not simply a modern sightseeing boat with rows of seats and a loud engine. It is a traditional Catalan fishing boat, built in 1942 on the beach at L’Estartit, and the setting feels tied to the town’s working harbor.

The 20-passenger limit matters. You are still taking a shared excursion, but the boat is small enough for the route to feel close and informal. You can look toward the water, turn toward the rocky coast, or watch the boat maneuver into a cave without being far back in a crowd.

Space is naturally more limited than on a large vessel. If you prefer plenty of room to move around, this may feel snug. If you like a quieter boat and a more local character, the size is a major advantage.

The trip lasts 1.5 hours, so the pace is brisk. You will see several coastal features in one outing, but no single stop becomes a long visit. Think of it as a compact introduction to the Medes Islands and Montgrí coast.

Leaving from Port de l’Estartit

The meeting point is at the beginning of the harbor in L’Estartit. Follow Passeig Marítim toward the end, passing a small playground and an information kiosk. Turn right after the last kiosk and look for the fishing boats.

The Nuria is marked by a white board with BARCA NURIA written in red. Arrive about 15 minutes before departure, then go directly to the boat if you already have a booking. This is useful to know because the harbor contains several boats, and the meeting point is not described as a large terminal with a prominent ticket office.

The boat leaves from the Espigó de Llevant. From there, the route shifts quickly from harbor views to the open coast. You get scenic views along the way, with the Montgrí Natural Park and the Medes Islands as the main subjects of the ride.

The sea determines how comfortable this part feels. Recent feedback includes a very positive experience despite noticeable swell, but choppy water can affect both comfort and the quality of underwater viewing. If you are sensitive to motion, stay aware that this is a small boat on the open Mediterranean.

Following the caves and coves of Montgrí Natural Park

The boat travels along the coast of Montgrí Natural Park, stopping for photographs and close views of the rocky shore. The appeal here is not one grand monument. It is the changing view as the Nuria moves between exposed coastal stretches, small coves, and openings in the rock.

The boat enters at least one cave, which is one of the more distinctive parts of the excursion. The captain’s maneuvering is a highlight, especially when the Nuria moves into a narrow opening where a larger sightseeing vessel could not go as easily.

You should expect scenic viewing rather than a long shore visit. The itinerary includes a visit and walk in the park area, but this is fundamentally a boat tour. It does not give you hours on land or a hiking route through the park.

That makes the trip a good choice if you want to see the coast from the water without committing to a full day. It is less suitable if your main goal is a serious walk through Montgrí Natural Park.

The coves can be especially appealing outside the main summer swimming period. In spring and autumn, the trip focuses on enjoying the quieter coastal spots from the boat. The water may not be available for swimming then, but the calmer feel of the coves can be the point.

What the glass-bottom panels actually add

The Nuria has glass panels in the floor directly in front of the passenger seats. These let you watch the water below while the boat is moving or paused near the Medes Islands.

This is a useful feature, but keep your expectations sensible. Underwater visibility depends on sunlight, sea conditions, and the boat’s movement. When the water is clear and the boat is positioned well, you can see marine life and the seabed without getting wet. When the surface is rough, the view may be brief or difficult to follow.

The panels also mean you do not have to choose between looking at the coast and looking below the boat. You can switch between the rocky shore, the cave entrances, and the underwater reserve.

The glass-bottom viewing is most valuable for people who want a taste of the Medes Islands marine environment but do not plan to snorkel or scuba dive. It is not a substitute for a long snorkeling session, and the tour does not promise extended observation at every underwater viewing point.

One practical limitation comes through clearly in the experience: you may want more time to watch the sea life. The route covers a lot in 90 minutes, so the underwater stops are part of a moving sightseeing trip rather than a dedicated marine biology session.

The Medes Islands and their protected waters

The Medes Islands are the marine centerpiece of the trip. The boat brings you close enough for views of the islands, the surrounding water, and the protected coastal zone below.

The area is known here through its marine life viewing and glass-bottom boat ride. You can watch for fish and other sea life through the panels, then look up for the larger coastal scene. The combination gives the Medes Islands more interest than a simple photo stop.

Still, this is a sightseeing cruise, not a landing excursion. The itinerary describes a visit, walking, and marine life viewing, but it does not promise a long stop on the islands or a self-guided visit ashore. You should book it to see the islands from the boat.

The protected setting also explains why the trip is valuable even when the sea life is hard to spot. You are seeing a coastal area where the underwater environment is a central part of the attraction, and the boat gives you a simple way to observe it without special equipment.

The best experience comes from treating the underwater panels as one part of the outing. Watch below when the boat slows, but do not spend the entire trip looking down and miss the caves and rocky coast.

The seasonal 10-minute swim

Swimming is offered from June 15 through September, provided weather and sea conditions allow it. The stop lasts about 10 minutes, so it is a quick chance to cool off rather than a long water session.

The clear water near Montgrí Natural Park is the main draw. You get a short break from the boat and a closer feel for the coast’s marine setting. For many people, this will be the most active part of the trip.

Because the swim is seasonal, check the exact operating dates when booking. The information gives June 15 as the start and September as the end period, but it advises confirming the final date. Do not assume swimming will be available outside those dates, and do not treat it as guaranteed on a windy or rough day.

The swim also changes the type of outing you are booking. In summer, bring what you need for a short dip and expect to return to the boat soon after. In spring and autumn, the focus shifts toward the coves, cave passages, and quiet coastal views.

If you are booking mainly for swimming, this short time in the water may feel too limited. If swimming is a bonus after the boat ride, 10 minutes is enough to make the trip feel more varied without taking over the schedule.

Commentary in four languages, with a simple guiding style

Tours are available in Catalan, English, Spanish, and French. That makes the experience easier to follow for a broad range of passengers, especially when the route moves quickly from the park to the caves and then toward the islands.

The guiding style may be light rather than lecture-heavy. The focus is on driving the boat through the scenery, providing views, and showing the underwater area. Some departures may offer useful commentary in your language, while others may feel closer to a scenic cruise with limited spoken information.

French-language commentary has been specifically appreciated, and the guide style can be friendly and pleasant. At the same time, you should not book this expecting a long natural-history talk or detailed explanation at every stop.

That balance is important. I would choose this trip if I cared more about seeing the coast from a small historic boat than receiving a constant stream of facts. If detailed interpretation is your priority, confirm what language will be spoken on your departure and keep your expectations modest.

Is $28 a fair price for 90 minutes?

At $28 per person, this is a reasonably priced way to see several coastal features in one short outing. The price includes the boat tour, the Medes Islands, the Montgrí coast, cave passages, glass-bottom viewing, and a seasonal swim when conditions permit.

The value comes from the variety. In 90 minutes, you can see harbor scenery, rocky coves, sea caves, the protected island area, and underwater life. You also get a small traditional boat rather than a large generic cruise.

The price is less compelling if you want a long swim, a full park walk, or detailed marine education. None of those is the main purpose of the tour. It is best judged as a compact coastal excursion.

The 20-person capacity adds value because it keeps the boat from feeling like a large group operation. You are paying for a short ride, but the setting and vessel give it more personality than a basic point-to-point cruise.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those options are helpful if your plans around L’Estartit depend on the weather.

Who should book the Nuria?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want:

• A short introduction to the Medes Islands
• A traditional boat with a small passenger group
• Sea caves and coastal views without a full-day commitment
• Glass-bottom viewing without snorkeling equipment
• A quick swim during the summer operating period
• A family-friendly boat outing with several different sights

It also suits a day when you want to add one water activity to a wider Costa Brava itinerary. The 1.5-hour length leaves room for lunch, a beach visit, or other time in L’Estartit.

I would hesitate if you need guaranteed swimming, a long snorkeling session, or a detailed guided lesson about marine life. Weather can change the route’s comfort, and underwater viewing is naturally less dependable when the sea is rough.

The boat’s small size is both an advantage and a limitation. It creates a more personal ride, but there is less spare room and potentially more movement than on a larger vessel.

Practical details before you go

The boat is at Port de l’Estartit, after the fishing boats at the end of Passeig Marítim. Look for the white BARCA NURIA sign with red lettering, and arrive 15 minutes before departure.

Check the available start times for your date. The tour runs for 1.5 hours, and live guiding is offered in Catalan, English, Spanish, and French.

Swimming is offered from June 15 through September, weather permitting. Confirm the end date before booking if the swim is important to you.

The tour provider is Excursions Maritimes Nuria. Weather conditions can affect the comfort of the trip, the swim, and the ease of seeing marine life through the glass panels.

Should you book this boat trip?

Book it if you want a well-priced, short coastal ride with real character. The historic Nuria, small group size, cave passages, Medes Islands views, and glass-bottom panels give you plenty to see in 90 minutes.

Choose it with realistic expectations. This is not a full snorkeling expedition, a long park hike, or a formal natural-history lesson. It is a scenic boat outing with a seasonal swim and a chance to see the Costa Brava from the water.

For most visitors spending time in L’Estartit, I think the combination is worthwhile, especially in summer when the 10-minute swim is available. In spring or autumn, book it for the quiet coves and caves, not for time in the water.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip leave from?

The boat leaves from Espigó de Llevant at Port de l’Estartit. Follow Passeig Marítim to the end, pass the small playground and information kiosk, then turn right after the last kiosk. Look for the white board marked BARCA NURIA in red.

How long does the boat trip last?

The trip lasts 1.5 hours.

How many people can ride on the Nuria?

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

Is the Nuria a modern sightseeing boat?

No. The Nuria is a Catalan fishing boat built on the beach at L’Estartit in 1942.

Can I see underwater marine life from the boat?

Yes. Glass panels are set into the floor in front of the passenger seats for viewing the underwater area.

Is swimming included?

A 10-minute swim is offered from June 15 through September when weather and sea conditions allow it. Confirm the exact end date when booking.

What languages are available for the live guide?

Guiding is available in Catalan, English, Spanish, and French.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve the tour and pay later.