From Roses: Sailing Catamaran Cruise to Medes Islands

The best part of this Roses catamaran trip is the simple pleasure of spending half a day on the Costa Brava with the sea doing most of the work. You sail across the Bay of Roses, pass the village of l’Estartit and the Montgrí massif, then stop near the Medes Islands for swimming, sun, and a barbecue cooked on board.

I like the clear turquoise water and the chance to watch the sea slide beneath the catamaran’s front nets. I also like the value: at $66, you get a 5.5-hour cruise, lunch, wine, sangria, soft drinks, water, and snorkeling equipment with a deposit. The main caution is that timing and onboard atmosphere may not always be perfectly controlled, so this suits you best if you can accept a relaxed, group-excursion pace.

Key points to know before you book

• The swim stop is the heart of the day: You may anchor at Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa for swimming and sunbathing.
• Lunch is cooked on board: Expect chicken breasts, skewers, sausages, salads, bread, and watermelon.
• Drinks are included: Water and soft drinks are available during the cruise, with regional wine and sangria at lunch.
• The front nets are the prime seats: You can lie above the water and watch the sea pass below.
• Snorkeling has a €10 deposit: Equipment is included after the refundable deposit arrangement.
• Allow for group-tour unpredictability: One recent departure ran an hour late, and one account described an overly noisy group on board.

Setting out from Roses across the Bay

You meet the catamaran at the Dock of Ginjolers, in the center of Roses, directly in front of Hotel Ramblamar at 153 Av. de Rhode. That central location is useful because you do not need to arrange a separate transfer to a distant marina.

Once on board, you settle into a spacious catamaran and leave Roses behind. The first part of the trip is about the pleasure of being on the water rather than checking off sights. The boat glides across the Bay of Roses, giving you a broad view of the Costa Brava coast.

I would make the most of this early stretch by finding a comfortable seat, then moving around as the view changes. The front nets are especially appealing. You can stretch out above the water and feel as if you are floating over the sea, though these spaces can be popular, particularly on a sunny day.

The catamaran is not a private sailing charter. You share the boat with other passengers, and the mood depends partly on the group. Most of the time, that creates a sociable holiday atmosphere. Still, a recent complaint described a loud party group that made the boat less comfortable for others. If you want silence and solitude, this is not the right kind of cruise.

The crew speaks Spanish, English, and French. That makes the trip practical for an international audience, especially when instructions are given before swimming or when the crew explains the food and drinks.

Views of l’Estartit and the Montgrí massif

As the boat heads toward the Medes Islands, the route brings you past the village of l’Estartit and toward the Montgrí massif. This is one of the most scenic parts of the trip because you see the Costa Brava from the water, where the coast takes on a different shape and scale.

From the catamaran, you are not simply looking at a beach from the shore. You are watching the coastline recede as the boat moves away, with the sea opening around you. The Medes Islands then become the focus, rising from the water ahead.

The views are a major reason to choose this cruise over a basic beach transfer. You get time to sit, talk, take photographs, and watch the coast without having to navigate roads or plan several separate stops. I would keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole crossing behind a screen. The best part of a sailing day is often the changing view between the named stops.

The route also gives you a sense of how close the Costa Brava’s beaches and islands are to one another. Roses makes a convenient starting point, while the islands and l’Estartit provide the main visual reward farther along the coast.

The Medes Islands stop, Cala Montgó, or Illa Pedrosa

The main stop is at Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa. The exact location is not fixed in the information provided, so you should be ready for either option. The stop is planned for roughly two hours, giving you time to swim, sunbathe, and use the water gear.

Cala Montgó offers a sheltered coastal setting, while Illa Pedrosa gives the stop a more island-based feel. In both cases, the point is to get into the water rather than spend the entire day looking at it from the deck.

The sea is described as clear and turquoise, making this the strongest part of the trip for a refreshing swim. Snorkeling equipment is available with a €10 deposit. Bring realistic expectations, though. Water clarity and fish viewing depend on the anchorage, light, and sea conditions.

One account specifically found the water too deep for good fish viewing. Another noted that the actual time close to the Medes Islands felt much shorter than expected. That does not cancel out the value of the stop, but it is worth understanding the difference between a scheduled swimming period and a long, close-up exploration of the islands.

You should also note that this is not presented as a dedicated snorkeling expedition. The cruise combines scenery, swimming, lunch, and relaxation. If your main goal is serious underwater observation, you may want a more specialized outing. If you mainly want a pleasant swim in clear water with equipment available, this format makes sense.

Life jackets are provided for both children and adults. That is useful for families, less confident swimmers, and anyone who wants extra support in the water. The cruise also offers an easy option for non-swimmers: stay on deck, sunbathe, watch the coast, and enjoy lunch while others use the water.

A barbecue lunch with regional drinks

While the boat is anchored, 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 practical boat lunch rather than a restaurant meal. You are eating outdoors, with sea views and the motion of the catamaran around you. That setting adds a lot, especially after swimming. I like that the meal is substantial enough to make the five-and-a-half-hour schedule feel like a full outing rather than a short scenic cruise.

Drinks during lunch include water, soft drinks, red, rosé, and white wine from the region, along with sangria. Mineral water is available throughout the trip, and water is offered with and without gas. The drink package is one of the clearest reasons the $66 price can work well for you.

Vegetarian food needs more attention. One passenger found the vegetarian burger too strongly flavored and not enjoyable. The standard meal is clearly centered on meat, salads, bread, and fruit, so I would contact the provider before booking if you need a dependable vegetarian alternative. Do not assume the substitute will match the main barbecue meal.

The drink arrangement also explains why this cruise may suit couples and families looking for an easy day. You can board with the main costs known in advance, enjoy lunch, and avoid planning a separate restaurant stop along the coast.

Only card payments are accepted on board, and American Express is not accepted. That matters for any extra purchase or payment connected with the trip. Bring a different card if needed.

What the catamaran day feels like

A 5.5-hour cruise gives you enough time to settle into the rhythm of the sea. The schedule combines a long crossing, time at the swimming stop, lunch, and the return to Roses. It is not rushed in theory, but the day can feel short because the activities fit together easily.

One recent booking described the five or six hours as passing quickly, which is easy to understand. You are moving between views, swimming, eating, and resting. If you prefer a packed sightseeing schedule with constant commentary, you may find the cruise too leisurely. I see that as a strength for anyone who wants a break from driving and town visits.

The front nets provide the most distinctive seating. Lying there while the water passes below gives the cruise a small sense of adventure without requiring any sailing experience. The main deck is better for eating, talking, and staying dry.

The boat’s mood can shift with the crowd. A quiet group creates a calm day of sun and sea. A party-minded group may make it noisier. The information does not promise a quiet cruise, private space, or a fixed group size, so book this as a shared excursion.

There was also a report of a one-hour delay at departure with no clear explanation. Punctuality is important if you have another activity planned, a restaurant reservation, or transport after the cruise. I would leave a generous buffer after the advertised return time.

Is $66 a fair price?

At $66 per person, the value is strongest when you use the full package. You are paying for a 5.5-hour catamaran trip, the coastal route, the Medes Islands area, a swimming stop, a barbecue lunch, drinks, life jackets, and snorkeling equipment subject to the €10 deposit.

A separate boat trip, lunch, and drinks could easily cost more, especially in a popular Costa Brava resort. Here, you pay one price for the main parts of the day. Families may find the cost easier to justify if children under six are included free, as one booking noted.

The price is less attractive if you only want a short look at the islands or if you dislike group cruises. It also loses some value if the actual stop near the islands is brief or if a delayed departure cuts into your time on the water. The experience depends on good timing and a well-managed boat day.

I would consider it good value for a relaxed half-day on the coast, particularly if you plan to swim and eat lunch on board. I would not choose it solely for detailed snorkeling or a precise island visit.

Who should book this Costa Brava cruise?

I think this trip works especially well for:

• Couples who want a sunny day on the water without arranging a private boat
• Families who appreciate life jackets, included drinks, and a straightforward lunch
• Visitors staying in Roses who want to see more of the coast
• Swimmers who want clear water and time to sunbathe
• Anyone who enjoys a social boat atmosphere and does not need a strict sightseeing schedule

It may not suit you if you need a quiet boat, have a strict timetable, or want a vegetarian lunch confirmed in advance. It is also not ideal if snorkeling is your only priority, since the stop can vary and the water may be too deep for easy fish viewing.

The best way to approach the day is to treat it as a Costa Brava sailing outing with swimming and food, not as a specialist Medes Islands expedition. That expectation matches what the cruise does best.

Booking details worth knowing

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your plans are still shifting.

Check the available starting time when you book, since departure times can vary. The meeting point is easy to identify in central Roses, at the Dock of Ginjolers in front of Hotel Ramblamar.

Bring swimwear and anything you need for time in the sun. The provided information confirms swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling equipment, and life jackets, but it does not specify towel service or personal storage, so I would avoid bringing valuables you do not need.

Should you book the Magic Catamarans trip?

Book it if you want an uncomplicated day on the Costa Brava, with island views, a swim in clear water, a barbecue, and drinks included. The scenery, front nets, and all-in-one pricing are the strongest reasons to go.

Think twice if you need precise departure times, quiet surroundings, or a guaranteed vegetarian meal. I would also leave extra time after the cruise in case the departure or return runs late. For most people who want a relaxed shared boat outing from Roses, $66 is a reasonable price for the amount of time and food included.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran leave from?

The meeting point is at the Dock of Ginjolers in central Roses, in front of Hotel Ramblamar, at 153 Av. de Rhode, 17480 Roses, Girona.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts 5.5 hours. Check the available starting times when booking.

Which languages are spoken?

The live tour guide service is available in Spanish, English, and French.

Where does the swimming stop take place?

The boat stops at Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa for swimming and sunbathing. The exact stop can vary.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

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

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes chicken breasts, skewers, sausages, green salad, Russian salad, bread, and watermelon. Drinks include water, soft drinks, regional red, rosé, and white wine, plus sangria during lunch. Water is available throughout the cruise.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately. Only card payments are accepted on board, and American Express is not accepted.