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

The best part of this 90-minute cruise is its small, old-fashioned boat. The Nuria was built on L’Estartit beach in 1942, and its limited capacity of 20 people gives the trip a personal feel that larger sightseeing boats cannot match. I especially like the glass panels in the floor, which let you watch the seabed without leaving your seat, and the chance to enter one of the sea caves by boat. The main drawback is that the trip is short, and the guide commentary may be light, so this suits you better if scenery matters more than a detailed nature lecture.

I also like the seasonal swim in the clear waters near Montgrí Natural Park. It lasts about 10 minutes and depends on weather and sea conditions, with the supplied information giving slightly different summer dates, from June 1 or June 15 through September. If swimming is important to you, check the exact operating date before booking.

Key points to know before you board

• The Nuria carries only 20 passengers: Expect a smaller, more intimate boat ride rather than a large excursion vessel.
• The boat dates from 1942: This is a working piece of local maritime character, not a modern sightseeing cruiser.
• The route combines caves, coves, and islands: You see Montgrí Natural Park from the water before reaching the Medes Islands.
• Glass-bottom viewing is built into the boat: Look down through the panels in front of your seat to watch marine life below.
• The swim is seasonal and weather dependent: The stop lasts about 10 minutes and is offered during the summer period when conditions allow.
• Commentary can vary: Guides are available in Catalan, English, Spanish, and French, but some departures may provide only limited spoken information.

Setting out from L’Estartit harbor

You meet the boat at Port de l’Estartit, near the beginning of the harbor. Walk along Passeig Marítim until you reach the small playground and information kiosks, then turn right after the last kiosk and continue toward the fishing boats. Look for a white board marked BARCA NURIA in red.

You are asked to arrive 15 minutes before departure. That is sensible here because the meeting point is at the harbor rather than a large, obvious ticket office. Give yourself enough time to walk past the kiosks and fishing boats without rushing.

The starting point also gives you a quick sense of what makes this trip different. The Nuria is an old Catalan fishing boat, built on the beach at L’Estartit in 1942. Its age is part of the appeal, though you should expect a traditional boat atmosphere rather than the broad seating, large indoor cabin, or polished facilities of a modern cruise boat.

With room for only 20 passengers, the boat keeps the group small. That matters when the captain takes you close to the rocky shoreline or into a cave, since you are less likely to feel lost in a crowd. It also means seats are limited, so arriving early is useful even though you already have a booking.

Seeing Montgrí Natural Park from the sea

The first part of the trip takes you along Montgrí Natural Park. From the water, you get a different view of the park’s rocky coast, coves, and openings in the cliffs. The boat pauses for photos and sightseeing, giving you time to look toward the shore rather than treating the whole route as a fast transfer.

The scenery is the main event here. You will pass coves that are difficult to appreciate from land and see how the coast changes from open rock to narrow inlets. The boat also makes scenic passages through the park, so keep your camera ready instead of waiting for one single official photo stop.

The route includes a guided element, but you should keep your expectations measured. The activity is offered in Catalan, English, Spanish, and French, yet one recent departure was described as having little real guide information. Another praised the pleasant French commentary and friendly guide manner. In practical terms, the quality and amount of narration may vary by departure, language, and sea conditions.

That is not a major problem if you mainly want a boat ride through beautiful coastal scenery. If you want detailed facts about geology, marine biology, or the history of every cove, this may feel too quiet. I would bring your own interest in the setting and treat the spoken commentary as an added benefit rather than the core product.

Entering the caves and quiet coves

The boat trip becomes more distinctive when the Nuria approaches the caves. The captain has taken the boat inside one of the caves, and the narrow passage is one of the most memorable parts of the route. A small traditional boat can get closer to these openings than a much larger vessel, although the exact approach depends on waves and safety conditions.

You should expect a short visit rather than a long stop inside each cave. The trip lasts 1.5 hours, and that time must cover the park, the coves, the Medes Islands, the glass-bottom viewing, and the return to L’Estartit. The attraction is the changing view as the boat moves along the coast, not a long walk or extended exploration ashore.

The caves are also where sea conditions matter most. One recent departure went ahead despite noticeable swell and was still considered a very good outing, while rougher water can make close approaches less comfortable. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where you can see the horizon, avoid arriving on a very full stomach, and consider the weather before committing.

There is no claim that every cave or cove will be visited on every departure. The route includes scenic stops and visits in Montgrí Natural Park, but the captain must work with the sea, the boat, and the available time. That flexibility is normal for a small coastal cruise.

Looking through the glass-bottom panels

The Nuria has viewing panels set into the floor in front of the passenger seats. You can look down through the glass to see the underwater area without putting on snorkeling equipment or entering the water.

This feature adds real value to the ride because it gives you something to do during the slower sections of the cruise. It is not just a transport trip with scenery passing by. You can watch for fish and other marine life below, especially when the boat pauses in calmer water around the Medes Islands or the natural reserve.

The experience is still dependent on visibility. Clear water, sunlight, boat movement, and the number of people looking through the panels all affect what you see. A recent comment asked for longer viewing time, which is useful advice: if the underwater view matters most to you, pay attention when the boat slows and be ready to look down.

The glass panels are best understood as a brief viewing window into the sea, not a replacement for snorkeling. You will not get the same detail or time underwater, but you can enjoy the marine reserve without changing clothes or entering the water. That makes the feature suitable for families and for anyone who prefers a dry boat ride.

Reaching the Medes Islands

The Medes Islands are the main destination of the cruise. The group sits off the Catalan coast near L’Estartit and is known here for its marine life and protected waters. The boat combines a visit to the islands with glass-bottom viewing, so you see them both above and below the waterline.

Expect photo stops, views of the islands, and time to watch for marine life through the boat. The itinerary also includes a short walk and a boat ride around the islands, though the supplied details do not describe a long shore excursion. Plan on seeing the Medes from the boat, with any walk kept brief.

This portion works well because it follows the coastal caves and coves. Instead of spending the whole 90 minutes in one setting, the route shifts from rocky Montgrí shore to open island views and marine observation. The variety keeps the trip moving, although it also means no single stop receives a great deal of time.

The Medes Islands are likely to appeal most if you enjoy looking closely at nature without needing a full snorkeling or scuba excursion. Keep your expectations realistic about the underwater viewing. The boat gives you a useful glimpse, but light, water movement, and the short schedule can limit how long you watch.

The 10-minute summer swim

When the weather and sea conditions allow, the boat stops for a swim in the clear water of Montgrí Natural Park. The swim lasts about 10 minutes, making it a refreshing break rather than a major swimming session.

The available details give two slightly different starting dates for this seasonal feature, June 1 and June 15, and place the end around September. Because of that difference, ask for the exact swim dates when you book. The swim is not guaranteed simply because you take the cruise during summer. Sea conditions can cancel it.

You should also see this as an optional bonus, not the reason to book the whole trip. The caves, coves, Medes Islands, and glass-bottom viewing remain the central parts of the route. If the swim does not operate, the boat still follows a scenic coastal itinerary, but anyone planning specifically around a swim should confirm before paying.

The short duration may suit you if you want a quick dip without giving up the rest of your day. It may disappoint you if you want time to snorkel, float, or explore at length. There is no stated snorkeling equipment or extended water activity included, so bring your own expectations down to a brief swim stop.

What the price means at $28

At $28 per person, this is a reasonably priced way to see several coastal sights in one short outing. You get the boat tour, access to a small historic vessel, views of Montgrí Natural Park, the caves and coves, the Medes Islands, and the glass-bottom panels. The price becomes stronger if your main goal is a compact introduction to the coast.

The value is less clear if you expect a long guided nature tour. The trip lasts only 1.5 hours, and the amount of explanation may be modest. You are paying for the route, boat character, and close coastal access more than for a lecture or full-day marine experience.

I think the price works especially well for a first look at the area. You can see the coast from the water without giving up an entire afternoon or paying for a larger, more elaborate excursion. It also gives you a low-cost way to decide if you want to return to the Medes Islands or Montgrí coast for swimming or other activities.

The small group improves the value. With only 20 passengers, the ride should feel less impersonal than a packed sightseeing boat, and the Nuria can provide a more traditional local setting. Still, the boat’s historic character may mean fewer modern comforts, so choose it for atmosphere and access rather than luxury.

Who will enjoy this boat ride most

I would recommend the Nuria to you if you like short scenic excursions, traditional boats, coastal photography, and small groups. Families may appreciate the simple glass-bottom viewing and the limited duration, while couples and solo visitors can enjoy the quieter pace and old fishing-boat character.

It also suits people staying in L’Estartit who want an activity close to town. There is no separate transport included, and the boat departs directly from the local harbor, so the outing fits neatly into a day based in the resort.

The cruise is less suitable if you need constant narration, extensive time in the water, or a highly structured educational program. The commentary can be pleasant and multilingual, but you may not receive detailed information throughout the full trip. The short schedule also leaves little room for delays or long stops.

Anyone who gets uncomfortable on small boats should think about the sea conditions. The boat has been used in some swell, and the route includes cave approaches where movement can be noticeable. Check the forecast, and remember that the captain may alter the route or swimming stop for safety.

Booking and practical details

You can reserve your place and pay later, which keeps your plans flexible. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

The tour has live guides in Catalan, English, Spanish, and French. Since the amount of commentary may vary, select the language that suits you and ask for clarification if you want more information during the ride.

The boat tour is the included service. A swimming stop may be offered in the stated summer period when conditions allow, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed feature. Check the precise seasonal dates, especially because the available information refers to both June 1 and June 15 as possible starting points.

Arrive 15 minutes early at the harbor and look for the white BARCA NURIA sign. The meeting point is after the fishing boats, beyond the final information kiosk, not simply anywhere along the waterfront.

Should you book the Nuria?

Book this trip if you want a short, good-value coastal cruise with a small group, a historic fishing boat, sea caves, the Medes Islands, and a simple glass-bottom view. Its strongest qualities are the Nuria itself, the route close to the rocky shore, and the chance to see several types of scenery in 90 minutes.

Skip it if you want a long swim, detailed marine instruction, or guaranteed, extended underwater viewing. For most people staying in L’Estartit, though, $28 is a fair price for an easy introduction to the coast, especially if you value local character over modern boat facilities.

FAQ

How long does the Nuria boat trip last?

The boat trip lasts 1.5 hours, including the route from L’Estartit through Montgrí Natural Park and to the Medes Islands before returning to the harbor.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat leaves from Port de l’Estartit, at the start of the harbor. Follow Passeig Marítim to the small playground and information kiosks, turn right after the last kiosk, and look for the white board marked BARCA NURIA in red.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 15 minutes before departure. The meeting point is near the fishing boats, so allow time to walk through the harbor and find the Nuria.

Is swimming included?

A 10-minute swim is offered in suitable weather and sea conditions during the summer season. The supplied information gives summer dates from June 1 or June 15 through September, so confirm the exact dates before booking.

Can I see marine life from the boat?

Yes. The Nuria has glass viewing panels in the floor in front of the seats, allowing you to look into the water and watch marine life from the boat.

What languages are available?

Live guides are available in Catalan, English, Spanish, and French. The amount of spoken information may vary during the trip.

What is the cancellation policy?

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