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 beach in 1942, and its size lets you get close to the caves and coves of Montgrí Natural Park. I like the 20-passenger limit and the glass panels in the floor, which give the ride a more personal feel than a large sightseeing boat.

I also like that the outing combines the Medes Islands with the rugged coast, rather than stopping at only one attraction. The main consideration is that commentary may be light: the boat ride can be excellent, but do not book it expecting a full, lecture-style guided tour. Rough water can also affect comfort and the amount of time you get to watch marine life.

Key points at a glance

• A 1942 fishing boat: The Nuria offers a small-scale ride with a clear link to L’Estartit’s seafaring past.
• Only 20 passengers: You get a closer view of the skipper’s route into caves and along the coves.
• Glass-bottom viewing: Floor windows let you look for marine life around the Medes Islands and the Natural Reserve.
• A seasonal swim: From around mid-June through September, weather permitting, you may get about 10 minutes in the water.
• A short 1.5-hour outing: It fits neatly into a day in L’Estartit and does not take over your whole schedule.
• Four languages available: The tour operates in Catalan, English, Spanish, and French.

Why the Nuria makes this boat ride different

The Nuria is not a modern ferry dressed up for sightseeing. It is a working-style Catalan fishing boat built in 1942 on the beach at L’Estartit. That detail matters because the boat gives the trip a sense of place before you even reach the Medes Islands.

With room for only 20 passengers, the experience feels more intimate than a standard coastal cruise. The small size is especially useful along the Montgrí coast, where the appeal comes from getting near the rock faces, coves, and cave entrances.

I would choose this trip for its access and atmosphere rather than for luxury. The Nuria is a simple boat, and the ride may feel lively when the sea is rough. Still, the older vessel and small group suit anyone who prefers a local maritime outing to a large commercial cruise.

Finding the boat at L’Estartit harbor

The meeting point is at the Port de l’Estartit, near the beginning of the harbor. Follow Passeig Marítim toward the end, pass the small playground and information kiosks, then turn right after the last kiosk.

You will see fishing boats and a white board marked BARCA NURIA in red. Arrive about 15 minutes before departure, which gives you time to find the boat without rushing along the waterfront.

The meeting point is straightforward once you know what to look for, but the harbor has several boats and signs. I would not leave arrival until the last minute. The boat departs from the harbor rather than from a large terminal, so the white sign is the useful landmark.

The first stretch along Montgrí Natural Park

Once the Nuria leaves the harbor, the ride follows the coast of Montgrí Natural Park. This is the part where you settle into the boat and begin seeing the rocky shoreline from the water instead of from the roads or walking paths above.

The route includes scenic views, photo stops, and visits to coastal points along the park. The attraction is not one single monument. It is the changing shape of the coast, with rocky walls, small coves, and openings in the cliffs that are best seen from sea level.

The skipper takes the Nuria close to some of the caves. One particularly memorable feature is the boat entering one of them when conditions allow. That maneuver is a strong reason to choose the smaller boat. A larger vessel would have less freedom in narrow spaces.

Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire ride looking at a screen. The views change quickly, and the boat’s position near the rocks is part of the experience. The route also includes quieter moments, so you can simply watch the water and coast without a constant stream of planned attractions.

Glass-bottom windows and the Medes marine reserve

The Nuria has glass panels set into the floor in front of the seats. These windows let you look below the surface while the boat is moving or paused near the Medes Islands and the Natural Reserve.

This feature is useful, but it needs the right conditions. Clear water and calm seas make it easier to see marine life. If the water is disturbed by waves, viewing can be less rewarding, and you may spend more time watching the coast than the seabed.

The glass bottom also gives the trip a broader appeal. You do not need to be a strong swimmer to get a look at the underwater world. Families and visitors who prefer to stay dry can still take part in the marine-life viewing.

At the same time, I would keep expectations sensible. This is a short boat trip, not a dedicated underwater wildlife excursion. The glass panels offer glimpses rather than a guaranteed, extended viewing session. If watching marine life is your main reason for booking, choose a calm day and sit where you have a clear view of the panels.

The Medes Islands from the water

The Medes Islands are the main destination, and the route gives you several ways to see them. You can look toward the islands from the deck, view the water through the glass bottom, and take part in the marine-life stop as the Nuria moves around the reserve.

The islands are protected as a Natural Reserve, which is why the underwater world is central to the visit. From the boat, you get a sense of how the islands form a separate marine setting from the mainland coast.

The outing does not give you a long island walk. The itinerary focuses on a boat-based visit, marine-life viewing, and scenic stops. That is important when comparing this trip with a longer island excursion. Book it for access to the reserve and the coast, not for a full land tour of the islands.

I like this arrangement because the boat remains the main viewpoint. You can take in the islands without spending most of the day away from L’Estartit. The 1.5-hour duration also makes it easy to pair with lunch, a beach visit, or another activity in town.

The summer swim near Montgrí

From roughly mid-June through September, the trip may include a swim of about 10 minutes. The exact timing depends on the weather and sea conditions. The available details give slightly different seasonal markers, so I would confirm the current swim dates when booking, especially if you are visiting early in June or late in September.

The swim adds a welcome change of pace. After sitting on the boat and watching the shore or water below, you get a short chance to enter the clear Mediterranean water and see the coast from another angle.

Ten minutes is brief, so think of it as a quick dip rather than a major swimming session. Bring what you need for a short swim and expect the stop to be weather dependent. If the water is rough or conditions are unsuitable, the cruise can continue without it.

In spring and autumn, the emphasis shifts toward the quiet coves of Montgrí Natural Park. That may suit you if you prefer a calmer coastal ride and have no interest in swimming. The boat trip has a slightly different character outside summer, with more time devoted to the shore and cave route.

How much commentary should you expect?

The tour is offered in Catalan, English, Spanish, and French. That gives you a good chance of following basic information in your preferred language, but you should not assume every minute will include detailed guiding.

The ride is strongest as a scenic and maritime experience. Some departures may include useful explanations, while others may focus more on piloting the boat and showing the coast. If you want a steady stream of history, geology, or marine biology, this may feel too quiet.

That is not necessarily a flaw. The skipper’s ability to take the Nuria into a cave and along the rocky shore is part of the value. In practice, the route itself does much of the work. Still, ask questions when you have the chance, and treat the guide commentary as an added benefit rather than the central product.

Sea conditions, comfort, and what to bring

A small boat gives you better access to the coves, but it also responds more noticeably to waves. One departure continued successfully despite swell, yet rough water can make the ride less comfortable and can shorten or change stops.

If you are prone to seasickness, consider the conditions before booking and choose a calm day if possible. Keep your movements measured on board, and pay attention when the boat approaches rocks or cave entrances.

For a practical day out, I would bring:

• Water and sun protection
• A phone or camera for the cave and island views
• Swimwear during the summer swimming period
• A towel or something dry to put over your seat after swimming
• A light extra layer if the wind picks up

These are sensible preparations rather than stated requirements. The supplied details confirm the boat trip, glass-bottom viewing, and possible swim, but they do not list a formal packing list.

Is $28 a fair price for 1.5 hours?

At $28 per person, the price is reasonable if you want a short, focused look at the Medes Islands and the Montgrí coast. You are paying for the boat ride, access to the cave route, the small group, and the glass-bottom viewing, with a possible swim in summer.

The value depends on what you want from a coastal excursion. For a 1.5-hour outing, it is not the right choice if you want a full-day cruise, a long swim, or extensive instruction. But it works well as a compact activity that leaves most of your day free.

The 20-person limit improves the value. You are not simply paying to sit on a crowded ferry and view the coast from a distance. The Nuria’s size gives the outing a more personal scale and lets the skipper approach places that require a smaller boat.

I would also factor in the seasonal difference. In summer, the swim can make the price feel stronger, especially on a hot day. In spring or autumn, the value rests more on the caves, coves, and quieter coastal setting.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would recommend the Nuria to you if you want a short coastal outing with several elements in one package. It suits people who enjoy small boats, scenic photography, cave entrances, and the chance to look below the water without taking a separate snorkeling excursion.

It is also a good fit for families and mixed groups. Someone can enjoy the coast from the deck, someone else can watch through the glass panels, and swimmers can use the summer stop when conditions allow.

You may want a different experience if you need a detailed educational tour, guaranteed calm water, or a long period in the sea. The ride is compact, and some departures may provide limited spoken information. Anyone sensitive to motion should also remember that the small boat can move with the swell.

Booking details that matter

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful when weather may affect your plans, though it does not remove the need to check the sea conditions before you set out.

The tour lasts about 1.5 hours, and departure times vary by availability. The boat returns to the Espigó de Llevant at the end, keeping the activity convenient for a day based in L’Estartit.

Because the swimming stop depends on the season and weather, confirm the exact operating dates if that feature is important to you. The published information places it from around mid-June or early June through September, so the precise end date should be checked directly.

Should you book the Nuria?

Book this trip if you want an affordable, short boat ride with a small group, a historic fishing boat, coastal caves, Medes Islands views, and glass-bottom marine viewing. The strongest parts are the Nuria’s size, its ability to enter a cave, and the chance to swim in summer.

Skip it if your top priority is a long swim or a detailed guide-led lesson. The ride can be affected by swell, and commentary may be modest. For most people spending time in L’Estartit, though, it is a practical way to see the coast from the water without giving up half a day.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip depart from?

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

How long does the experience last?

The boat trip lasts about 1.5 hours.

How many people can ride on the Nuria?

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

What kind of boat is the Nuria?

The Nuria is a Catalan fishing boat built on the beach at L’Estartit in 1942.

Can I see marine life during the trip?

Yes. The boat has glass panels in the floor in front of the seats, allowing you to view the underwater world around the Medes Islands and the Natural Reserve.

Is swimming included?

A swimming stop of about 10 minutes may take place from around mid-June or early June through September, depending on the current operating dates and weather conditions.

What languages are available?

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

Is the tour available in spring and autumn?

Yes. During spring and autumn, the trip focuses on the quiet coves of Montgrí Natural Park. The seasonal swimming stop may not be available.

Can I cancel the booking?

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