From Roses: Sailing Catamaran Cruise to Medes Islands

The best part of this 5.5-hour catamaran cruise is the easy rhythm: sail, swim, eat, sunbathe, and sail home. From Roses, you cross the Bay of Roses and reach the Medes Islands, with the Montgrí massif and L’Estartit making a fine backdrop. I especially like the long swimming stop and the barbecue cooked aboard, two features that turn a standard boat ride into a proper half-day at sea.

I also like that water and soft drinks are available throughout, while lunch includes local wine and sangria. The main thing to consider is that this is a shared boat, not a quiet private charter. One recent departure ran an hour late, and a loud party group made the ride less pleasant for some passengers. If you want calm, ask about the day’s atmosphere before you commit.

Key points to know before you book

• The swim stop lasts about two hours: The boat stops at Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa, depending on the day’s plan.
• Lunch is cooked on board: Expect chicken breasts, skewers, sausages, salads, bread, and watermelon.
• Snorkeling requires a €10 deposit: Equipment is included for use, but you need to leave a deposit.
• The route gives you two coastal views: You sail from Roses across the bay, then circle the Medes Islands near L’Estartit.
• The front nets are the prime seats: You can lie above the water and watch the sea pass below.
• The meeting point is central Roses: Find the Dock of Ginjolers, opposite Hotel Ramblamar, at 153 Av. de Rhode.

From Roses across the Bay of Roses

You begin at the Dock of Ginjolers, right in central Roses. The meeting point is in front of Hotel Ramblamar at 153 Av. de Rhode, so it is straightforward to reach if you are already staying in town or spending the morning along the waterfront.

Once aboard, the spacious catamaran heads across the Bay of Roses. This first stretch is less about arriving quickly and more about settling into the day. You get open views of the Costa Brava, with the coast pulling away behind you as the boat heads toward the Medes Islands.

I like this part because a catamaran gives you several ways to sit. You can find a place on deck, take in the view from the sides, or stretch out on the nets at the front. Those nets are the boat’s most memorable feature. You feel the motion of the sea directly below you, though spray and sun are part of the bargain.

Bring sun protection, even if the day begins pleasantly cool. The boat spends much of its time in open water, and the exposed seating can become hot during the crossing. Water is available throughout the trip, and soft drinks are also included.

Seeing the Medes Islands from the water

The Medes Islands sit within a protected natural park off the coast near L’Estartit. This is not a land tour. You stay aboard while the catamaran works around the islands, giving you views of the rocky formations, the coast, the village of L’Estartit, and the Montgrí massif.

The appeal comes from the change in scale. From Roses, you begin with a broad bay and a long coastal view. Near the Medes Islands, the scenery becomes more concentrated, with the boat weaving among the island group and showing you a closer view of the park.

The route is also a useful reminder that this experience is about the sea as much as the destination. You are not getting a long guided walk or a museum visit. You are paying for time on the water, a moving view of the Costa Brava, and access to a swimming spot that would be harder to reach from shore.

The live guide service is offered in Spanish, English, and French. No individual guide names are provided, so the quality of the commentary may depend on the crew working that day. Expect practical information and route guidance rather than a long, formal lecture.

Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa for swimming

The main stop is at Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa. The exact choice is part of the day’s operation, so you should not book this expecting one guaranteed cove. Both are used as places to swim and sunbathe, with clear water and room to enjoy the boat itself.

The stop is scheduled for about two hours. That gives you enough time to get into the water, try the snorkeling equipment, dry off, and settle into lunch without rushing every minute. You can swim in the turquoise water or stay on deck if you would rather keep your hair dry.

Snorkeling equipment is available with a €10 deposit. That is a useful inclusion, especially if you did not pack your own mask and snorkel. Still, keep expectations sensible. One passenger found the water too deep to see many fish, and the amount of underwater life will depend on the anchor point, visibility, and water conditions.

This is an important distinction. The water may look wonderfully clear from the deck, but clear water does not guarantee a full snorkeling scene at every stop. If seeing fish is your top reason for booking, bring realistic expectations and treat snorkeling as an extra rather than the main event.

The sunbathing option matters just as much as the swim. You can spend the stop in the water, on the deck, or on the front nets. That flexibility makes the cruise work for mixed groups, including people who want to swim and people who mainly want a relaxed boat day.

A barbecue served with sea views

While you swim and sunbathe, the crew prepares lunch on board. The meal includes chicken breasts, skewers, sausages, green salad, Russian salad, bread, and watermelon for dessert.

This is a filling, practical menu for a day at sea. It is not a restaurant meal, and you should not expect a long list of choices. The value is in having lunch served without leaving the boat, while the scenery and fresh air remain part of the experience.

Drinks are included during lunch. You get water with and without gas, regional red, rosé, and white wine, plus sangria during lunch or dinner. Mineral water is available throughout the trip, along with soft drinks.

That drink policy adds real value to the $66 price. A half-day boat trip can become costly once you add lunch, bottled water, and drinks at a marina. Here, those basics are built into the outing. The inclusion of regional wine and sangria also gives the meal a more local Costa Brava feel, even though the food itself is simple.

Vegetarian diners should pay close attention. The standard meal is centered on meat, and a vegetarian hamburger is available, but one vegetarian passenger found it overly strong and unpleasant. If you do not eat meat, contact the operator before booking to confirm what can be prepared. Do not assume the vegetarian option will be as satisfying as the main barbecue.

How the $66 price works out

At $66 per person, this is priced above a short harbor cruise but includes far more than a scenic ride. You receive 5.5 hours aboard the catamaran, the route to the Medes Islands, a long swim stop, barbecue lunch, water, soft drinks, lunch drinks, and access to snorkeling equipment with a deposit.

I consider that a fair price for people who want a full half-day on the water. The boat takes care of transport, food, and drinks, so you do not need to arrange separate access to a swimming cove or pay for a waterfront lunch afterward.

The value is less clear if you mainly want a quick look at the islands. The trip spends much of its time sailing, and the actual sightseeing around the islands may feel brief if your priority is close viewing. One passenger felt that only about 15 minutes was spent among the islands. The advertised swimming stop is about two hours, but the island viewing portion and the swim stop are not the same thing.

Families may find the pricing more appealing because children up to age six can go free, according to the booking information. That can make the cost work well for parents traveling with young children. The boat provides life jackets for children and adults, adding a basic safety convenience.

You should also remember that only card payments are accepted aboard, and American Express is not accepted. That matters if you plan to buy or pay for anything on the boat. Carry a different card rather than relying on cash or Amex.

The pace, comfort, and possible crowd issues

The schedule is designed for relaxation, not constant activity. You sail out, look at the coast, stop to swim, eat, spend time on deck, and return to Roses. The five to six hours can pass quickly, especially if you enjoy the water and the social side of a shared cruise.

The catamaran is described as spacious, which helps during a long outing. Still, spacious does not mean private. Your experience depends partly on the number and behavior of people aboard. Most departures may feel friendly and easygoing, but a large group treating the boat as a party venue can change the mood.

One recent departure was reported to be an hour late, with little information from the crew. That is not enough to define every sailing, but it is a practical warning. Keep your schedule flexible on the day of the cruise, especially if you have a dinner reservation, train connection, or another timed activity afterward.

The crew receives strong praise for handling the meal, sailing, and overall atmosphere, but the mood can vary. I would choose this cruise for a sociable day outdoors, not for silence or polished private-yacht service.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This outing suits you best if you want several experiences in one booking. You get coastal scenery, a protected island area, swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, lunch, and drinks without moving between several operators.

It is a good match for:

• Families who want a simple day at sea with life jackets and drinks included
• Couples looking for a relaxed Costa Brava outing with wine and sunset-free daytime views
• Friends who enjoy swimming, shared meals, and a lively boat setting
• Visitors staying in Roses who want to reach the Medes Islands without arranging their own boat
• People who value a long swimming stop more than a formal island tour

I would be more cautious if you need a quiet setting, a highly structured naturalist presentation, or a guaranteed vegetarian feast. I would also look elsewhere if your main goal is serious snorkeling. The water can be clear, but the stop may be too deep or too short for the underwater viewing you have in mind.

Practical ways to make the day better

Arrive at the Dock of Ginjolers with enough time to find the boat without stress. The location is central, but the waterfront can be busy, and you do not want to begin the day searching for Hotel Ramblamar.

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes. The swimming stop is a major part of the schedule, and changing before boarding makes the day easier. A towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a cover-up are sensible choices for a boat with exposed deck space.

If you want the front nets, head there early after boarding. They are the best place to get that flying over the water feeling, but they are also the most exposed to sun and spray. Bring a secure way to protect your phone, since the water is close and the catamaran is moving.

Use the snorkeling equipment if you want to test the water, but do not plan the whole day around seeing fish. The crew provides the gear for a €10 deposit, and the underwater view depends on conditions at the chosen stop.

Keep your card with you, but remember that American Express is not accepted. Water is available all day, so you do not need to stock up on drinks before departure.

Finally, leave room in your schedule. The duration is listed as 5.5 hours, but one delayed departure was reported. A flexible afternoon is a sensible precaution.

Booking, cancellation, and languages

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful when your Costa Brava plans are still shifting.

Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date. The live guide service is offered in Spanish, English, and French.

The provider is Magic Catamarans. The meeting point is the Dock of Ginjolers in Roses, opposite Hotel Ramblamar, at 153 Av. de Rhode, 17480 Roses, Girona.

Should you book the Medes Islands catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a full, easy half-day on the Costa Brava rather than a narrow sightseeing trip. The included barbecue, drinks, two-hour swimming stop, and open-water route give the $66 price solid value. The front nets and views of the Medes Islands add character that a basic boat transfer would lack.

Think twice if you expect a quiet yacht, a detailed natural-history tour, or guaranteed excellent snorkeling. The shared atmosphere can become noisy, the island viewing may feel short, and the vegetarian meal deserves checking in advance.

For families, couples, and groups staying in Roses, I would put this high on the list for a sunny day. Just pack for heat, keep your schedule loose, and judge the trip by its whole package: a boat day with lunch and swimming, not an intensive exploration of the islands.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise leave from?

The boat 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 depend on availability for your selected date.

Where does the boat stop for swimming?

The catamaran stops at Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa. The swimming and sunbathing stop lasts about two hours.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

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

What food is served for lunch?

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

What 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.

Which languages are available, and what is the cancellation policy?

The live tour guide service is available in Spanish, English, and French. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.