From Roses: Sailing Catamaran Cruise to Medes Islands

The best part of this Costa Brava outing is the simple rhythm: sail, swim, eat, and sail back. From Roses, you cross the Bay of Roses to the Medes Islands, then spend about two hours anchored near Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa, depending on the day’s plan.

I like the easygoing barbecue lunch served on board, and I like the catamaran’s front nets, where you can feel the sea passing below you. The main caution is timing. A late departure has happened, and one recent outing reportedly left an hour behind schedule with little information from the crew.

Key points to know before booking

• Two hours at anchor: The main swimming and sunbathing stop gives you time to settle into the water and the deck instead of rushing through a quick dip.
• The Medes Islands from the sea: You pass the islands, l’Estartit, and the Montgrí massif while the boat moves around the protected park.
• Lunch is hearty rather than fancy: Expect chicken breasts, skewers, sausages, salads, bread, and watermelon.
• Snorkeling costs a deposit: Equipment is available with a €10 deposit, and the water is clear, though the depth may limit what you see.
• Drinks are part of the day: Water and soft drinks are available throughout, with regional red, rosé, and white wine and sangria at lunch.
• A good family price point: At $66 per person, the cruise combines transport, swimming time, lunch, and drinks in one half-day outing.

Sailing out from Roses on the Bay of Roses

The trip begins at the Dock of Ginjolers, in central Roses, directly in front of Hotel Ramblamar at 153 Av. de Rhode. This is a handy meeting point if you are already in town, since you do not need a separate transfer to a distant marina.

Once aboard, the catamaran takes you across the Bay of Roses. The early part of the cruise is less about a single attraction and more about getting a broad view of the Costa Brava from the water. You see the coast open out behind you as the boat heads toward the Medes Islands.

The catamaran is described as spacious and comfortable, with nets at the front. Those nets are one of the more enjoyable features. You can lie or sit above the water and watch the sea slide underneath, though they are also exposed to spray and sun. Bring sunscreen and do not expect a shaded seat in the most popular spots.

The crew provides life jackets for children and adults. That matters for families, especially during the swimming stop, when you may want an extra layer of comfort for younger children or less confident swimmers.

The tour has live guidance in Spanish, English, and French. The available information does not give individual guide names, so you should not book expecting a named naturalist or a formal marine biology talk. This is a scenic sailing and swimming day, not a lecture-based nature tour.

Seeing the Medes Islands and Montgrí coast

The Medes Islands sit within a protected natural park, and the approach is the scenic heart of the trip. The boat weaves around the islands, giving you changing views of the rocky formations and open water.

From offshore, you also see the village of l’Estartit and the Montgrí massif. The combination makes the cruise more rewarding than a simple transfer to a beach. You get a view of the coast from a position that roads cannot provide.

The park is best appreciated at a relaxed pace. You are not being hurried from one photo stop to another. Instead, the catamaran gives you time to watch the coastline, feel the wind, and choose your preferred place on deck.

There is one practical limit. A boat trip around the Medes Islands does not guarantee close views of fish or a long snorkeling session in shallow water. One recent passenger found the water too deep to see much marine life during a short stop. If underwater wildlife is your main reason for booking, keep expectations sensible.

The water may look wonderfully clear and turquoise, but visibility depends on the anchorage, weather, light, and depth. The experience is strongest when you treat snorkeling as one pleasant option rather than the sole purpose of the day.

The Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa swimming stop

The central stop lasts about two hours at either Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa. The exact location matters less than the structure of the stop: the boat anchors, you can swim or snorkel, and the crew prepares lunch while you enjoy the water and deck.

Cala Montgó offers the appeal of a sheltered coastal cove. Illa Pedrosa gives the outing a more island-focused feel. Since the final stop can vary, do not book this expecting one guaranteed beach or a specific underwater site.

You can swim directly from the boat rather than being dropped at a sandy beach. That is convenient, but it also means you need to be comfortable using a ladder or entering the water from the catamaran. The information provided does not promise a beach landing.

Snorkeling equipment is available with a €10 deposit. Check the exact return procedure with the crew when you collect it. Life jackets are included for both adults and children, and you can choose between swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, or staying aboard.

This is also the point where the outing can feel crowded if many people want the same part of the deck or the same stretch of water. The catamaran has space, but it is still a shared boat. If you want a quiet private swim, this is not that sort of trip.

The two-hour pause is a real advantage. You have time to get wet, dry off, eat, and return to the water without watching the clock every few minutes. One person felt that only a short time was spent near the islands on a particular outing, so the exact swimming time and route may vary with the day’s operation.

Barbecue lunch with sea views

While you swim or relax, the crew prepares lunch aboard the catamaran. The meal includes chicken breasts, skewers, sausages, fresh green salad, Russian salad, bread, and watermelon for dessert.

This is straightforward boat food, designed to satisfy you after time in the sun rather than deliver a restaurant-style meal. I like that the menu includes several hot meat choices and two salads, which makes it more substantial than a sandwich lunch.

Vegetarian diners should plan carefully. A vegetarian hamburger has been served as an alternative, but one recent diner found it overly strong and unpleasant. The safest move is to ask the operator about the vegetarian option before booking and not assume the regular barbecue menu will have several meat-free choices.

Drinks are generous for a half-day sailing trip. Water, including still and sparkling mineral water, is available throughout the cruise. During lunch, you can also have soft drinks, regional red, rosé, and white wine, plus sangria.

That drink arrangement adds real value to the $66 price, especially because you are not left buying every bottle separately. Still, pace yourself in the sun. Sangria and wine can feel stronger after swimming and sitting on a bright deck.

The meal is served while the boat remains in the swimming area, so the sea stays part of the setting. You are not pulled into a harbor restaurant or asked to give up the best views. Lunch becomes part of the cruise rather than a break from it.

Is $66 a good value?

At $66 per person, this is a fair price for a 5.5-hour outing that includes the catamaran ride, the Medes Islands route, a substantial lunch, drinks, and access to snorkeling equipment with a refundable-style deposit arrangement.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip and a meal. You also get several hours on the water, not just a short sightseeing circuit. Families may find the price especially reasonable because children under six can go free, according to the available booking information.

The price is less attractive if your only goal is a brief swim near the islands. You are paying for the full package: the sailing time, the views, the food, the drinks, and the shared atmosphere aboard a larger catamaran.

The overall score is 4.3 from 266 ratings, which suggests a generally good experience with a few operational and food-related concerns. The strongest praise centers on the pleasant atmosphere, helpful crew, meal service, and the way the hours pass quickly. That last point cuts both ways: people who want a relaxed day tend to appreciate the pace, while anyone seeking a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour may find it too loose.

Timing, group atmosphere, and the return to Roses

The advertised duration is 5.5 hours, but you should allow some flexibility around the departure. A one-hour delay has been reported, along with poor communication while people waited. That is not a small inconvenience, particularly if you have dinner reservations, a train, or another timed activity afterward.

The boat atmosphere can also vary. Most of the day is intended to be relaxed, but a loud party group can change the mood for everyone aboard. The operator does not promise a quiet cruise, and a shared catamaran is always affected by the behavior of the largest or most energetic group.

After lunch and swimming, the crew lifts the anchor and heads back to Roses. The return gives you another stretch of open-water views, now with the coast ahead of you. It is a good time to use the nets, dry off, and enjoy the remaining drinks rather than expect another formal stop.

The trip ends where it began, at the Dock of Ginjolers. Since the meeting point is central, you can continue into Roses afterward without arranging transport from an isolated port.

For the best day, arrive ready for sun, water, and a flexible schedule. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and any personal snacks you need. The provided details confirm drinks and lunch, but they do not specify special equipment for shade, phone protection, or personal dietary needs.

Who will enjoy this catamaran cruise?

I would choose this outing for someone who wants a low-effort Costa Brava day on the water. You get scenery, swimming, a cooked lunch, and drinks without planning several separate bookings.

It suits families who value included food and life jackets, couples who want a relaxed sea day, and small groups looking for a social boat atmosphere. The free admission for children under six can make the total cost more appealing for families.

It also works well if you want to see the Medes Islands but do not need a long guided talk about geology or marine life. The focus is on enjoying the coast from the catamaran, not studying every island feature.

I would think twice if you need strict punctuality, a quiet boat, a guaranteed vegetarian meal, or serious snorkeling conditions. The route and anchorage can change, the water may be deeper than expected, and the mood depends partly on the other people aboard.

Should you book the Roses to Medes Islands cruise?

Book it if your ideal Costa Brava day includes five and a half unhurried hours at sea, a swim in clear water, a barbecue lunch, and drinks already covered in the price. The two-hour swimming stop and the views of l’Estartit and the Montgrí massif give the trip more substance than a short harbor cruise.

Before paying, confirm the day’s departure time, ask about the vegetarian meal if needed, and remember that Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa is not guaranteed. If you can accept a shared atmosphere and some schedule flexibility, $66 buys a pleasant, well-rounded day from Roses.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

It departs from the Dock of Ginjolers in central Roses, in front of Hotel Ramblamar at 153 Av. de Rhode, 17480 Roses, Girona.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts 5.5 hours. Starting times can vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Which swimming location will the boat visit?

The boat stops at Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa for swimming and sunbathing. The specific location is not guaranteed in advance.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The barbecue lunch includes chicken breasts, skewers, sausages, green salad, Russian salad, bread, and watermelon for dessert.

Which drinks are included?

Water and soft drinks are available throughout the trip. Lunch drinks include still and sparkling water, regional red, rosé, and white wine, plus sangria.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available with a €10 deposit. Life jackets for adults and children are also included.