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 Catalan fishing boat built on L’Estartit beach in 1942, and its small 20-person capacity gives the outing a personal, old-fashioned feel. I especially like the glass panels in the floor and the chance to enter the park’s sea caves rather than simply cruise past them.

I also like the sensible mix of sights: the Medes Islands, rocky coves, underwater viewing, and a short swim in summer. The main consideration is that this is more of a scenic boat ride than a full guided nature lesson. Commentary can be limited, so book it for the setting and the boat experience first.

Key points

• A historic 20-passenger boat: The Nuria was built in 1942 and offers a smaller, more traditional ride than a large excursion vessel.
• Glass-bottom viewing: Panels in the floor let you look for marine life without getting into the water.
• Sea caves and coves: The route includes close views of caves in Montgrí Natural Park, including a passage into one cave when conditions permit.
• Short summer swim: From June 15 through September, weather permitting, you get about 10 minutes in the clear water.
• Several language options: Tours are available in Catalan, English, Spanish, and French.
• Good value at $28: For 1.5 hours on the water, with the Medes Islands and the natural park in one outing, the price is reasonable.

Why the Nuria makes this boat ride different

Many coastal excursions are built around getting as many people as possible aboard. The Nuria takes the opposite approach. With room for only 20 passengers, it feels closer to a local fishing outing than a standard sightseeing cruise.

That matters in practical terms. You can see the water through the glass panels placed on the floor in front of your seat, and the boat is small enough to approach the rocky shoreline and cave entrances. You are not simply looking at the Medes Islands from a distant deck.

The boat was built on the beach at L’Estartit in 1942. That detail gives the trip a strong sense of place. This is not a modern high-speed craft designed only to cover distance. The Nuria connects the ride to the town’s fishing tradition, which is one of the most appealing reasons to choose it.

The trade-off is space. A small boat can feel intimate, but it also means less room to move around. If you want a large upper deck, several viewing areas, or the freedom to change seats often, this is not that kind of excursion. The value comes from the boat’s character and the close-up route.

Leaving L’Estartit for Montgrí Natural Park

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

The operator asks you to arrive 15 minutes before departure. That is a useful buffer because the meeting point is at the harbor rather than at a large, obvious ticket building. Going straight to the boat with your booking keeps the start simple.

Once underway, the route opens into the Montgrí Natural Park area. Expect a mix of coastal views, photo stops, and slower passages near the rocks. The 1.5-hour duration keeps the trip manageable, especially if you want to fit it around lunch, a beach visit, or another activity in L’Estartit.

I like this length. You get enough time to see several parts of the coast without committing half a day. At the same time, you should keep your expectations in check. This is a compact coastal outing, not a full-day island cruise with long stops ashore.

Sea caves and quiet coves along the coast

The cave section is likely to be the most memorable part of the route. The Nuria takes you along the rocky coast of Montgrí Natural Park, with stops for photographs and closer views of coves and openings in the cliffs.

The boat can enter one of the caves, depending on sea conditions and the captain’s judgment. That is a small detail, but it changes the feel of the trip. Seeing a cave from the water is one thing. Moving inside it gives you a better sense of the rock formations and the narrow coastal spaces that are difficult to reach on foot.

Conditions matter here. Wind and swell can affect how close the boat gets to the rocks and whether a cave passage is possible. A strong sea can make the ride more exciting, but it may also make it harder to watch the water through the glass panels or take steady photographs.

The route is also appealing outside the main swimming season. In spring and autumn, the emphasis shifts toward quiet coves and coastal scenery. If you prefer cooler weather and a calmer feel, these months may suit you well, though the swim is tied to the summer period and suitable conditions.

Do not expect every cove to include a long stop. The boat trip is designed to show you a series of coastal sights, not to give you hours on one beach. You will spend much of the time moving between points, with the boat itself serving as your viewing platform.

Looking below the boat through the glass floor

The glass-bottom section gives the excursion a second point of interest. The panels are positioned on the floor in front of your seat, allowing you to look down at the underwater world around the Medes Islands and the natural reserve.

This is a good feature for anyone who wants a glimpse of marine life without snorkeling. It also gives children an extra reason to stay engaged during slower sections of the ride. You may see fish or other underwater activity, but the view depends on water clarity, sunlight, the boat’s position, and the movement of the sea.

One practical point is worth keeping in mind: this is not an aquarium-style viewing experience. The boat keeps moving, and the viewing areas are limited to the glass sections. If watching marine life is your main reason for booking, you should treat the glass panels as one part of the outing rather than the entire purpose.

A note on pacing is useful here. The underwater viewing may feel brief if you want long, uninterrupted observation. One piece of feedback specifically asked for more time to look for sea animals. I would choose a seat near a glass panel, keep your attention on the water during the slower stretches, and remember that the caves and islands share equal billing with the marine life.

The Medes Islands from the water

The Medes Islands are the central natural attraction of the trip. The island group sits off L’Estartit and is known for its protected marine area. From the boat, you get views of the rocky islands while also looking down into the surrounding water.

The combination works well. You are not only seeing the islands above the surface. The glass-bottom panels let you connect the exposed rocks with the underwater reserve around them.

The boat makes photo stops and viewing pauses around the islands. Bring a camera, but do not let it take over. The strongest part of the experience is the changing view from the water, especially when the Nuria moves from open coastal stretches toward the rocks and coves.

You should also plan for some motion. The sea can be calm, but one outing took place in noticeable swell and was still considered enjoyable. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where you feel most stable, keep your eyes on the horizon when needed, and avoid making the glass panels your only focus.

The Medes Islands are not presented as a long walking visit. The itinerary includes viewing and a walk as part of the broader route, but the emphasis is on the boat cruise and marine reserve. Choose this trip if you want a water-level perspective, not an island beach day.

The 10-minute swim in summer

From June 15 through September, when conditions allow, the boat stops for a swim of about 10 minutes. The water is described as clear, and the stop gives you a quick chance to connect with the Mediterranean rather than only observe it.

The swim is short, so think of it as a refreshing break rather than a full snorkeling session. You will not have a long period to explore underwater, and the main activity remains the boat ride.

The swimming period is seasonal. The supplied information gives June 15 as the start date and September as the general end period, with the exact end date worth checking before you book. Weather and sea conditions can also cancel the swim, even within those months.

Outside summer, the trip focuses on the coves and coastal views. That can be a plus if you prefer sightseeing without changing into swimwear. If the swim is essential to your plans, confirm the operating dates and understand that the captain still has the final say based on conditions.

Guide languages and the level of commentary

The tour can be conducted in Catalan, English, Spanish, or French. That makes it easier to choose a departure that fits your language needs, although the available language may depend on the specific departure.

The guiding style appears to be light. You may receive useful explanations about the coast and the route, but this is not built as a formal natural-history talk. One recent French-language account praised the friendly guide and clear French commentary, while another described the boat ride as beautiful but noted the lack of substantial guiding during the outing.

That distinction is important. If you want facts about marine species, geology, and the history of the Medes Islands throughout the trip, this may leave you wanting more. If you prefer to enjoy the scenery without a constant stream of information, the lighter approach could be welcome.

I would book it as a boat excursion with multilingual support, not as a lecture on the national park. Ask about the language for your departure if that matters to you.

Is $28 a fair price for 1.5 hours?

At $28 per person, the cost is fair for the combination of sights. You get a 1.5-hour boat tour, access to the Nuria, views of the Medes Islands, the caves and coves of Montgrí Natural Park, and glass-bottom marine viewing.

The value is strongest if you want several coastal highlights in one short outing. A separate boat ride to the islands and another coastal cave trip could take more time and cost more. Here, you see both in one booking.

The price is less compelling if you expect a long swimming session, extensive marine education, or a full island landing. The tour is short, and the glass viewing depends on natural conditions rather than guaranteed close encounters with sea life.

Still, the historic boat and small capacity help justify the fare. You are paying for a particular kind of ride, not simply a seat on a large harbor ferry. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later also make it easier to fit into a changing schedule.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend the Nuria to you if you want a compact introduction to the coast around L’Estartit. It suits people who like scenic boat rides, historic vessels, coastal photography, and a little marine viewing without committing to a longer excursion.

It is also a good choice for families who want variety. The caves provide visual interest, the Medes Islands give the trip a clear destination, and the glass panels offer something to watch during the cruise. The short summer swim adds another change of pace.

Spring and autumn are especially suited to you if you want quiet coves and a calmer sightseeing focus. Summer is the better choice if the swim matters, though busy coastal conditions and sea movement can affect the experience.

I would look elsewhere if your priority is scuba-style marine viewing, a long beach stop, or detailed instruction from a naturalist. The boat is intimate, but the trip is still a straightforward sightseeing cruise.

Practical advice before you go

Arrive 15 minutes early and use the harbor landmarks carefully. The Nuria is after the fishing boats, near the end of Passeig Marítim, and the white sign with red lettering is the key marker.

Check the swimming dates if you are visiting near the start or end of the season. The general swimming window runs from June 15 through September, but the precise end date and sea conditions can affect the stop.

Bring a camera, but also leave time to watch the water directly. The route includes photo stops, but the views change quickly as the boat approaches caves, coves, and the islands.

Finally, keep the tour’s scale in mind. With only 20 passengers, it is more personal than a large cruise, but it does not offer the space or facilities of one. That small size is the reason to book it.

Should you book the Nuria boat trip?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced, 1.5-hour coastal outing with a historic Catalan fishing boat, cave passages, Medes Islands views, and glass-bottom viewing. The small group and varied route give you more character than a basic harbor cruise.

Skip it if you need a long swim, guaranteed marine-life viewing, or detailed commentary from start to finish. For most people visiting L’Estartit who want an easy taste of the coast without giving up a whole day, the Nuria offers good value at $28.

FAQ

Where does the Nuria boat trip depart from?

It departs from Espigó de Llevant at the Port de l’Estartit. 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 long does the boat trip last?

The trip lasts 1.5 hours.

How many passengers can the Nuria carry?

The Nuria is designed for a limited group of 20 passengers.

What can I see during the cruise?

The route includes the Medes Islands, Montgrí Natural Park, coastal caves and coves, scenic views, and marine life viewed through the boat’s glass-bottom panels.

Is swimming included?

A swim of about 10 minutes is offered from June 15 through September when weather and sea conditions allow. Check the exact end date before booking.

Which languages are available?

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

What is included in the price?

The boat tour is included. The listed price is $28 per person.

Can I cancel or pay later?

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