Boat trip to the Medes Islands, caves and stop for swimming

The best part of this Costa Brava boat trip is its small Fadrí boat, which can slip into sea caves and approach Roca Foradada more closely than a large sightseeing vessel. You’ll cruise around Montgrí Natural Park and the Medes Islands, with time for marine-life viewing and a swim in clear water.

I like the combination of caves and coves with the chance to look below the surface through underwater windows. I also like the modest price, about $27 per person, for 1.5 hours on the water. The main caution is that weather, sea conditions, and the season can affect the route, wildlife sightings, and swimming stop.

Key points at a glance

• Small 20-person boat: The Fadrí is compact enough to enter narrow sea caves and approach Roca Foradada.
• Medes Islands setting: The route combines the islands, Montgrí Natural Park, Baix Ter, coves, cliffs, and open sea views.
• Wildlife is possible, not guaranteed: You may see fish, tuna, seabirds, and perhaps dolphins, but nature does not follow the timetable.
• A real swimming stop: Bring a swimsuit if you want to get into the water, though conditions can occasionally change the plan.
• Multilingual commentary: Information is offered in English, Spanish, French, and Catalan, but explanations may feel brief when several languages are used.
• Short, good-value outing: At $27, this works well as a compact Costa Brava activity, especially if you do not want a full-day cruise.

A small boat for the Medes Islands

This is not a large party boat carrying hundreds of people. The Fadrí holds about 20 people, which changes the feel of the outing from the start. A small boat can maneuver toward narrow rock formations and enter sea caves that would be awkward for a bigger vessel.

That size is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. You are closer to the water, closer to the rock walls, and more likely to get a good view when the boat turns toward an interesting formation. The tradeoff is that a smaller boat can feel the waves more clearly. On a calm day, that adds a little adventure. On a rougher day, it may be less comfortable than a larger craft.

The boat departs from Espigó de Llevant at the end of the seafront promenade. After the last ticket booth, turn right toward the fishing boats and rental boats. The Fadrí is farther along. Arrive at least 20 minutes early so you have time to find the boat without rushing.

From the harbor to Costa Brava coves

Once away from the harbor, the route follows the Costa Brava through small coves and clear water. The first scenic section lasts about 15 minutes and gives you time to take photographs and settle into the rhythm of the boat.

The scenery matters here because this is not only a transport ride to the Medes Islands. The coves, rock walls, and water are part of the attraction. Keep your camera ready, but also remember that the best view may arrive when the boat changes direction. If you sit beside one of the underwater viewing windows, you will have a better chance of seeing the seabed later.

The tour is short, so the guide has to balance sightseeing with explanations in several languages. Commentary is offered in English, Spanish, French, and Catalan. I appreciate having information about local history, marine animals, and birds, but the amount you hear may depend on the group and the language mix.

When explanations are shared in three or four languages, each section can become brief. Some departures have also had uneven language delivery, so if detailed guiding is your main reason for booking, keep your expectations moderate. The setting and boat handling are the stronger parts of the experience.

Cala Pedrosa and the swimming stop

The boat then reaches the Cala Pedrosa area for around 15 minutes. This is the part of the trip designed for swimming, snorkeling, and marine-life watching. Bring your swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and drinking water if you want to make the most of it.

The water may look inviting, but conditions decide how the stop works. The advertised activity includes a swim, yet a poor-weather departure has sometimes had a shorter route or no swimming stop. That is especially important outside the main summer period. If swimming is essential to your plans, ask at the harbor about current conditions before boarding.

You may also watch for fish in this area. The trip description includes marine wildlife viewing, schools of tuna, and the possibility of dolphins. I would treat dolphins as a welcome bonus, not a promise. Wildlife sightings depend on location, season, visibility, and simple luck.

The same applies to fish. Clear water improves your chances, but the underwater windows are small. If you want to look through them, try to be near a window when the boat pauses or moves slowly. From elsewhere on the boat, your view of the seabed may be limited.

Roca Foradada and the sea caves

One of the most memorable parts of the route is Roca Foradada, a rock formation with a natural opening. The Fadrí’s size allows the crew to approach the formation and enter sea caves, where the light, stone, and water create a very different view from the open coast.

The boat handling is a genuine feature here. Moving through narrow caves requires careful control, and you will feel the boat slow and turn as the crew works close to the rock. This is not a long cave expedition, but it adds character to a trip that could otherwise be a simple island cruise.

Take care with your belongings in this section. A hat, phone, or camera can be difficult to recover if it falls overboard. Comfortable shoes with a secure fit are a good idea, and a light jacket or windbreaker is useful because the water can feel cool even when the beach is warm.

A photo stop at a viewpoint follows the cove and cave section. You will have time to take pictures, but do not expect a long shore visit. This is a boat-based tour, and you remain on the Fadrí throughout the excursion.

Around the Medes Islands

The Medes Islands are the main focus of the trip. The boat spends about 45 minutes on a guided tour around the island area, followed by another period devoted to marine-life observation and the glass-bottom viewing windows.

This island group is valuable for more than its appearance above the water. The surrounding marine area is protected, which is why the trip focuses on fish, seabed views, birds, and careful observation rather than touching animals or plants. You are expected to leave marine life alone, and the rules also prohibit touching plants.

The island section gives you the best chance to combine the main features of the outing: rock scenery above the water, underwater views below it, and information from the guide. Sit where you can see both the coast and the windows if possible. The windows are not large, so your position matters.

The glass-bottom feature is best understood as a quick look rather than a substitute for snorkeling. You might see fish and parts of the seabed, especially in clear conditions, but the view is limited. One passenger reported seeing little because the windows were small and not everyone could sit next to them. That is a fair warning for anyone booking mainly for underwater viewing.

What the guiding adds

The guide provides information about the history of the area, marine fauna, and birds. A strong guide can turn a pleasant boat ride into a more useful introduction to the natural park, especially if you are unfamiliar with the Medes Islands.

The quality of the commentary may vary by language and departure. Some guides have given clear, entertaining explanations, including detailed information about local species. On other trips, the accent or French delivery has been difficult to follow. When English, French, Spanish, and Catalan groups share one boat, the time available for each language is naturally limited.

I would choose this activity for its scenery and access to the caves first, and for the commentary second. If you happen to get a particularly strong multilingual guide, the educational side becomes a welcome bonus. If the explanations are hard to hear, the rock formations, swimming stop, and island views still make up much of the outing.

A speaker system could improve the experience. If you are seated away from the guide, engine noise and wind may make details hard to catch. Stay near the main commentary area when you can, and do not be shy about asking for a point to be repeated.

Timing, weather, and the changing route

The published duration is 1.5 hours. That is long enough to see the main formations and get a taste of the island area, but short enough to fit into a day of sightseeing in L’Estartit or the wider Costa Brava.

You should allow for some flexibility in what that 1.5 hours includes. In less favorable October weather, one departure covered only part of the planned route and returned after about an hour. The passengers were not told clearly in advance that the northern section would be skipped. The operator later offered some money back, but advance communication would have been better.

This is a useful point for planning. The tour is most appealing in stable weather, when the sea is calm enough for the caves, swimming, and underwater viewing to work together. In cooler or unsettled conditions, the route may be shortened, visibility may drop, and the swimming stop may not happen.

Bring a jacket even on a sunny day. Wind on the water can make the ride chilly, and a windbreaker takes little space in your bag. Sunscreen, a hat, water, and a camera are also sensible. Food and drinks are not included.

Is $27 a fair price?

At about $27 per person, I consider this good value if you want a short coastal excursion rather than a full-day sailing trip. The price covers the boat ride, marine-life observation, sea caves, underwater windows, the swimming stop, and multilingual information.

The value comes from the boat’s access. You are not paying only for a view of the Medes Islands from offshore. You are also getting a close approach to Roca Foradada and caves that suit a 20-seat boat. That is the part large boats may not match.

Still, the price does not guarantee a wildlife encounter. You may see fish, tuna, and birds, but dolphins are only possible. The underwater windows are limited, and the guide commentary may be brief in a multilingual group. If the sea is rough, you may receive less swimming and less of the planned route.

For a short outing at this price, those limits are reasonable as long as you book it for the whole package. I would not book it solely to see dolphins or solely to snorkel.

Who will enjoy this boat trip?

I recommend the Fadrí to you if you want to see several Costa Brava features in one compact activity. It suits people who like scenic boat rides, short swimming stops, rock formations, and a little motion on the water.

It also works well for families and couples who do not want to commit half a day to a cruise. The small boat creates a more direct experience, though anyone sensitive to waves should consider that compact boats move more noticeably.

You will get the most from it if you are happy to shift between activities: photographs at a viewpoint, cave viewing, a quick swim, island scenery, and short periods watching the water through a window. It is less suitable if you need a guaranteed dolphin sighting, a long swim, a full snorkeling session, or detailed guiding in one language.

The boat does not include hotel pickup and drop-off, so you need to reach Espigó de Llevant yourself. That is easy to plan if you are already near the seafront, but it is worth allowing extra time to locate the Fadrí among the boats.

Should you book the Fadrí?

Book this trip if you want good coastal variety in 90 minutes and like the idea of a small boat entering sea caves. The strongest reasons are the Fadrí’s compact size, the Medes Islands setting, and the combination of above-water scenery with a swimming stop and limited seabed viewing.

I would book in favorable weather and arrive early enough to choose a useful seat near an underwater window and the guide. Bring a jacket even in summer, and treat dolphins, abundant fish, and the swimming stop as conditions-dependent.

Skip it if your priority is a guaranteed wildlife encounter or a long, serious snorkeling session. For most people seeking a reasonably priced Costa Brava boat ride with caves, island views, and a touch of adventure, it is a sensible choice.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip depart from?

The Fadrí departs from Espigó de Llevant at the end of the seafront promenade. After the last ticket booth, turn right toward the fishing and rental boats, then continue until you find the Fadrí.

How long is the boat trip?

The planned duration is 1.5 hours. Weather and sea conditions can affect the route and the actual time on the water.

How much does the activity cost?

The listed price is $27 per person.

Which languages are available?

The live guide provides information in English, Spanish, French, and Catalan.

Does the tour include swimming?

The activity includes a swimming stop in the natural park when conditions allow. Bring swimwear if you want to enter the water.

Can I see dolphins?

Dolphins may be seen, but sightings are not guaranteed. The trip also offers the chance to observe fish, tuna, and other marine life.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so bring water with you.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, camera, sunscreen, and water. Comfortable shoes and a jacket or windbreaker are also recommended because it can feel chilly on the water.