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

The best part of this 90-minute cruise is the boat itself. The Nuria is a Catalan fishing boat built on the beach at L’Estartit in 1942, and its small size gives the trip a more personal feel than a large sightseeing vessel. You cruise past the Medes Islands, slip into sea caves, and look below the hull through glass panels set into the floor.

I like the limited group of 20 passengers, which makes it easier to see the water and follow the action as the boat approaches the coves. I also like the mix of scenery and marine viewing: this is not just a ride along the coast, but it is not a full snorkel expedition either. The main consideration is that the swim is seasonal and weather dependent, and some departures may offer only brief explanations rather than a full guided talk.

Key points to know before you book

• Historic boat: The Nuria was built in 1942 on L’Estartit beach and keeps the outing tied to the town’s fishing tradition.
• Small capacity: The boat takes up to 20 passengers, making it a quieter alternative to a large excursion boat.
• Glass-bottom viewing: Panels in the floor let you watch marine life without getting into the water.
• Caves and coves: The route includes close views of the Montgrí Natural Park’s rocky coast and a passage into one of the caves when conditions allow.
• Seasonal swim: From June through September, normally from June 1 until a stated end date, you may get a 10-minute swim if sea and weather conditions are suitable.
• Useful price point: At $28 per person, the trip offers a short coastal cruise, an old fishing boat, underwater viewing, and possible swimming without taking up half your day.

Why the Nuria makes this short cruise different

At $28 per person, this outing sits in the accessible end of boat trips around L’Estartit. The value comes less from a long sailing time and more from the combination of several small experiences in one trip: a traditional boat, the Medes Islands, the Montgrí Natural Park, sea caves, glass-bottom viewing, and a possible swim.

The Nuria matters here. A modern tour boat can carry more people, but the old fishing boat gives you a closer connection to L’Estartit’s maritime character. You are not simply being transported to a viewpoint. You are riding in a vessel built for the local coast, with a design that suits a small group.

That small capacity is especially useful when the boat slows near a cave or over clear water. With up to 20 people aboard, you have a better chance of finding a clear view through the glass panels and hearing the guide. It also keeps the trip from feeling like a mass outing.

The tradeoff is space. A small boat can feel intimate, but it may also feel less roomy than a large sightseeing vessel. If the sea is choppy, the motion may be more noticeable. One recent outing was described as enjoyable despite heavy swell, while another request was for longer viewing time over the marine life. That tells you what to expect: this is a scenic coastal circuit with underwater glimpses, not a long stationary observation session.

Setting out from the Port of L’Estartit

The meeting point is at the Port de l’Estartit, at the beginning of the harbour. Follow Passeig Marítim toward the end, pass the small playground and information kiosks, then turn right after the final kiosk. The Nuria is beyond the fishing boats, marked by a white board with BARCA NURIA written in red.

Arrive about 15 minutes before departure. You can go directly to the boat with your booking, which keeps the start simple. Since the meeting point is in the harbour rather than at a separate office, allow a few minutes to identify the correct vessel.

The cruise begins at the Espigó de Llevant. From here, the town gives way to open water and the rocky coast of the Montgrí Natural Park. The short duration works well if you have other plans in L’Estartit, including a beach afternoon, a meal in town, or a longer visit to the surrounding area.

Following the Montgrí Natural Park coast

The first part of the trip focuses on the Montgrí Natural Park. You pass coves and rocky inlets, with time for photographs and views from the boat. The park is best appreciated from the water because the cliffs, small beaches, and openings in the rock line up in a way that is hard to see from shore.

The route includes scenic cruising, visits near points of interest, and a glass-bottom boat section. The exact order can change with sea conditions, and the itinerary does not provide named stops for every part of the coast. That is worth knowing if you prefer a tightly scripted tour with a stop-by-stop explanation.

The caves are the visual highlight. The Nuria can approach the rock openings and, in suitable conditions, enter one of them. The boat’s small size helps here. A larger vessel might have to remain farther out, while the Nuria can make the cave passage feel close and immediate.

You should keep your camera ready, but do not expect every cave or cove to be visited in exactly the same way on every departure. Wind, waves, and safety conditions affect how close the boat can go. One recent outing praised the way the pilot guided the boat inside a cave, while also noting that there was not much guide commentary. In practical terms, the driving and route handling may be more memorable than the narration.

Looking below the boat through the glass panels

The Nuria has glass panels placed in the floor in front of the passenger seats. These let you watch the underwater world while remaining dry and seated. This feature gives the trip a useful second focus: you see both the coast above water and the marine life below it.

The viewing depends on water clarity, sunlight, boat movement, and your position. On a calm day with clear water, the panels can reveal fish and underwater formations. On a rougher day, the view may be less steady. A request for more time to watch sea animals is a fair caution, especially if marine viewing is your main reason for booking.

I would treat the glass bottom as an added feature rather than the entire purpose of the trip. You may see interesting marine life, but this is not advertised as a scientific wildlife cruise or a dedicated snorkeling session. The boat keeps moving through the park and toward the islands, so the underwater views come in short stretches.

That balance suits families and casual sightseers. You can enjoy the sea without needing special equipment or swimming ability. It also gives children something specific to look for, though the panels are in front of the seats, so the clearest view may depend on where you sit.

Reaching the Medes Islands

The Medes Islands are the main destination and provide the trip’s strongest sense of open sea. The group is known for its marine setting, and the route includes marine-life viewing and another glass-bottom boat section around the islands.

From the boat, you get a different perspective than from L’Estartit’s shore. The islands appear as a separate world of rock and water, while the boat lets you examine the coastline at close range. Photo stops give you time to frame the islands and surrounding sea instead of watching everything pass at full cruising speed.

The itinerary lists walking near the Medes Islands, but the supplied details do not specify a landing or a long shore visit. Plan on a boat-based visit rather than a substantial island hike. If you are looking for time on land, this is not the right trip to treat as an island excursion.

The Medes section also shows why the 1.5-hour duration is both useful and limited. You get a taste of the islands, the park, the caves, and the underwater views in one compact outing. You do not get extended time at every location. The experience is about variety and access rather than lingering at one reef or cove.

The seasonal 10-minute swim

From June through September, the boat may stop for a 10-minute swim when weather and sea conditions permit. The published information also gives June 1 as the start of this seasonal option and advises checking the final operating date.

The swim is a nice bonus because it changes the rhythm of the outing. After cruising past cliffs and caves and watching marine life through the glass, you can enter the clear water of the Montgrí Natural Park. Ten minutes is enough for a quick swim and a look beneath the surface, but not enough for a long snorkeling session.

Do not book this trip solely for the swim. It is not guaranteed, and the schedule depends on conditions. Outside the summer period, the focus shifts to the quiet coves and coastal scenery. That can be appealing in spring and autumn, especially if you prefer a calmer boat ride without planning around a swim.

The seasonal difference is important when comparing this cruise with other coastal trips. In summer, you get the possibility of swimming as well as marine viewing from the boat. In spring and autumn, you should expect a scenic cruise through the coves and park instead.

Guide style and what the reviews reveal

The tour offers live guiding in Catalan, English, Spanish, and French. That language range is helpful for an international audience, and French-language service has been specifically appreciated on recent departures.

Still, the guide experience may vary. A recent French-speaking passenger found the guide pleasant, smiling, and helpful, while another passenger felt there was no real guide or enough information during the cruise. I would therefore expect basic live assistance and route guidance, but not necessarily a long, continuous commentary about geology, wildlife, or local history.

The pilot’s handling is one of the stronger points. Entering a cave requires careful control, and the route can be especially appealing when the boat moves close to the rock. If you enjoy the practical side of a sea trip, watching the Nuria work its way into a cave may be as interesting as the view itself.

You will get the most from this outing if you are comfortable paying attention to what is around you instead of waiting for a constant stream of facts. Look down through the viewing panels, watch the rock openings, and keep an eye on the water during the island section. The boat and setting carry much of the experience.

Who will get the best value from the $28 price

The price is reasonable for a short coastal activity with several features, especially if you want something that fits neatly into a day in L’Estartit. You get 90 minutes on the water, a traditional boat, the Medes Islands, the Montgrí Natural Park, cave views, and possible swimming.

I think it suits:

• Families wanting a short outing without committing to a full-day cruise
• Couples looking for a scenic boat ride with a more traditional feel
• Visitors who want to see the Medes Islands from the water
• People who prefer glass-bottom viewing to a fully active water activity
• Summer visitors who want a quick swim stop
• Spring and autumn visitors seeking a quiet look at the coves

It is less suitable if you want a long snorkeling stop, a detailed naturalist lecture, or substantial time walking on the islands. The trip covers several sights quickly, and the marine viewing may feel too brief if underwater observation is your top priority.

The 4.6 rating from 207 reviews supports the idea that the basic experience delivers well. The strongest praise centers on the beautiful sea route, the cave passage, the pilot’s skill, and the friendly multilingual service. The main reservations concern limited commentary and not enough time watching marine life. Those are useful expectations to set before you book.

Practical details that make the outing easier

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Check availability for the exact departure time because the trip runs for 1.5 hours and the schedule can vary.

The boat leaves from the port, not from a generic town meeting point, so use the red BARCA NURIA sign to identify it. Arriving 15 minutes early gives you time to walk along the harbour and avoid a rushed boarding.

The activity includes the boat tour. The supplied information does not list food, drinks, snorkel equipment, or other extras, so do not assume those are part of the price. The swim, when offered, is a short stop built into the cruise rather than a separate water-sports session.

Weather has a direct effect on the route. Rough water can make the ride more active and may change how closely the boat approaches caves or whether swimming takes place. The trip can still be enjoyable in swell, but you should be prepared for motion and flexible about the exact order of the stops.

Should you book the Nuria?

Book this trip if you want a short, reasonably priced coastal outing with character. The historic Nuria, small passenger limit, cave passage, Medes Islands, and glass-bottom panels give you more variety than a basic harbour cruise. In summer, the 10-minute swim adds another appealing element.

Choose a different activity if your priority is extended time snorkeling, a long island walk, or detailed guiding throughout the entire trip. The commentary may be light, and the marine viewing is brief. For most people, though, the balance is good: a compact look at the coast, a traditional boat, and several of L’Estartit’s best-known sea sights without using up your whole day.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip depart from?

The boat departs from the Port de l’Estartit, at the beginning of the harbour near the Espigó de Llevant. Follow Passeig Marítim to the end, pass the playground and information kiosks, turn right after the last kiosk, and look for the white board marked BARCA NURIA in red.

How long does the trip last?

The boat trip lasts 1.5 hours.

How many people can board the Nuria?

The Nuria is set up for a limited group of up to 20 passengers.

What languages are available?

Live guiding is available in Catalan, English, Spanish, and French.

Can I see marine life without swimming?

Yes. The boat has glass panels in the floor in front of the seats, allowing you to view the underwater world from the boat.

Is swimming included?

A 10-minute swim may be offered from June through September, generally from June 1 until an end date that should be confirmed. Swimming depends on weather and sea conditions.

Does the trip visit the Medes Islands?

Yes. The route includes a boat-based visit to the Medes Islands, with marine-life viewing and glass-bottom viewing.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.