From Roses: Sailing Catamaran Cruise to Medes Islands

Five hours at sea can pass fast. This catamaran trip from Roses combines the Costa Brava coast, the Medes Islands Natural Park, a long swimming stop, and lunch cooked on board. I like the simple shape of the day: sail, swim, eat, relax, and sail home. I also like that water, soft drinks, safety equipment, and lunch are included rather than added one by one.

The main thing to consider is that this is a shared boat outing, not a quiet private sail. A late departure has affected at least one outing, and a loud group can change the mood for everyone. The snorkeling stop can also feel short or too deep for easy fish watching, depending on where the boat anchors.

Key Points Before You Book

• The trip leaves from central Roses: Meet at the Dock of Ginjolers, in front of Hotel Ramblamar, at 153 Av. de Rhode.
• The Medes Islands are the main target: You sail through the Bay of Roses, pass Estartit, and view the Montgrí massif before reaching the island area.
• The swimming stop lasts about two hours: The boat may stop at Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa, with time for swimming and sunbathing.
• Lunch is cooked on board: Expect chicken breasts, skewers, sausages, salads, bread, and watermelon.
• The net at the front is a prime seat: It gives you the sensation of floating above the passing water, though it is exposed to sun and spray.
• The price includes plenty: At about $66 per person, you get a 5.5-hour cruise, barbecue lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear with a €10 deposit, and life jackets.

Leaving Roses Through the Bay

Your day starts at the Dock of Ginjolers, right in the center of Roses. The meeting point is easy to identify: it is opposite Hotel Ramblamar on Av. de Rhode. Since the boat leaves from a central waterfront location, you do not need a separate transfer from another part of town.

The cruise lasts about 5.5 hours, though the exact start time depends on the date. I would check the departure time carefully and arrive with enough margin. One recent outing left an hour late without clear information, which is the sort of delay that matters when you have other plans, dinner reservations, or a long drive afterward.

Once underway, the catamaran heads across the Bay of Roses. This first section is as much about the ride as the destination. You get open views along the Costa Brava, with the sea passing beneath the boat and the coast spreading around the bay.

A catamaran is a good match for this trip. The wide layout gives you room to sit, move around, and find a view. At the front, the nets hang above the water, creating the most unusual place to ride. Lie back there and you feel the boat skim over the sea. It is also one of the sunniest spots, so bring a hat, apply sunscreen, and remember that the breeze can make strong sun feel mild.

The boat provides water throughout the trip, along with soft drinks. During lunch, you can also have regional red, rosé, and white wine, plus sangria. That makes the cruise feel more generous than a basic sightseeing ride, but alcoholic drinks are best saved for after swimming.

Seeing the Medes Islands from the Sea

The Medes Islands Natural Park is the visual high point of the outing. Rather than simply stopping offshore, the catamaran tours around the islands, giving you views from the water and a sense of their rocky shape and position along the coast.

The route also includes views toward the village of Estartit and the Montgrí massif. These sights help place the islands within the wider Costa Brava setting. You are not visiting a single beach and turning around. You are getting a moving view of the coast, the village, and the island group from several angles.

The island area is best appreciated from the boat, where the water and rock formations create the main scene. Do not expect a land visit or a long walk on the islands. This is a sea-based outing, and the boat remains your base for the day.

The exact anchorage is not fixed. The crew may choose Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa. That flexibility is useful because conditions at sea can influence the best place to stop, but it also means you cannot plan around one exact cove.

Two Hours at Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa

The swimming stop lasts about two hours, giving you enough time to get in the water, dry off, eat, and sit in the sun. The water is described as transparent and turquoise, and this is the part of the day that suits anyone who wants more than a sightseeing cruise.

You can swim directly from the catamaran and use the snorkeling equipment provided by the crew. A €10 deposit is required for the gear, so keep a card or suitable payment method available. Life jackets are provided for both children and adults, which gives families a practical safety option even if some swimmers are confident.

Snorkeling conditions can vary. One outing had only about 15 minutes close to the Medes Islands and anchored in water that was too deep for easy fish viewing. That is a useful warning: this trip includes snorkeling equipment and a swim stop, but it is not a dedicated underwater wildlife excursion.

If you want to see fish, ask the crew where the shallowest or clearest area is before getting in. Still, your expectations should stay modest. The strongest part of the stop is likely swimming in clear coastal water, not guaranteed marine-life viewing.

The two-hour pause also works well for non-swimmers. You can stay on deck, sunbathe, use the front nets, and watch the water without taking part in the swim. Families can split up, with some people in the sea and others staying aboard.

A Barbecue Lunch with Sea Views

While you swim and relax, the crew prepares lunch on board. The meal includes several types of meat: chicken breasts, skewers, and sausages. Fresh salads include a green salad and Russian salad, with bread and watermelon for dessert.

This is a practical boat lunch rather than a formal meal. You eat with the sea around you, which adds much of the appeal. The food is filling and suited to a long day outdoors, and drinks are included with lunch. Water remains available throughout the cruise, both still and sparkling, while soft drinks are served during the day.

The vegetarian option deserves attention. A vegetarian hamburger is available, but one person found it overly strong and unpleasant. If you do not eat meat, you should ask the provider in advance exactly what can be prepared. The listed barbecue is clearly built around meat, so I would not book this trip assuming a broad vegetarian menu.

The meal is also a reason to compare the price with a simple boat ride. At about $66 per person, you are not only paying for the sailing time. Lunch, drinks, safety equipment, and the use of snorkeling gear are part of the package. For a half-day on the Costa Brava, that is a fair value if you plan to eat and swim on board anyway.

Life on a Shared Catamaran

The mood can be relaxed and cheerful, but it depends partly on the mix of people aboard. Most of the praise centers on the overall atmosphere, the crew, the meal service, and the captain’s handling of the day. A full boat can also bring noise, music, and less personal space.

One outing was spoiled for some passengers by a large group partying loudly and behaving without respect for others. That is not a predictable daily feature, but it is a real consideration. If you want silence, privacy, or a polished sailing lesson, this is probably not the right product.

The live guide service is available in Spanish, English, and French. That helps with basic instructions and makes the trip accessible to a broad mix of passengers. The supplied information does not identify individual guides or the captain by name, so you should not expect a named private guide experience.

The crew handles the meal, drinks, swimming setup, and return sailing. That makes the outing easy for you. You do not need to plan a separate restaurant, beach, or equipment rental. The tradeoff is that you follow the boat’s timetable and chosen anchorage.

Is $66 a Good Price?

The $66 price is reasonable for what is included. You receive roughly half a day on the water, a barbecue lunch, wine and sangria with the meal, soft drinks, water, snorkeling equipment with a deposit, and life jackets. If you booked a boat ride and lunch separately, the total could quickly approach this amount.

Value depends on how you use the five and a half hours. If you swim, eat on board, spend time on the front nets, and enjoy the coastal views, the price feels well balanced. If you remain seated and mainly want a short look at the islands, it may feel expensive compared with a simple harbor cruise.

The free cancellation period also gives you some useful flexibility. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. On board, only card payments are accepted, and American Express is not accepted. That matters if you want to make a small purchase or pay the equipment deposit.

Children up to age six may be free under the provider’s child policy. One family found that detail made the cost especially fair for two adults with young children. Check the exact child terms when booking, since the $66 headline price is per person.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most?

I would recommend this catamaran trip to you if you want a low-effort Costa Brava day with a clear mix of activities. It suits couples who want a scenic outing, families who need swimming and food in one package, and friends who enjoy a social boat atmosphere.

It is also a good option if you are staying in Roses and do not have a car. The departure point is central, and the cruise handles the route to the Medes Islands for you.

You should think twice if you need strict punctuality. A one-hour delay has occurred, and the trip has a fixed length. You should also reconsider if your main goal is serious snorkeling. The water can be too deep for easy fish spotting, and the time close to the islands may be limited.

Vegetarians should ask about the meal before paying. People who dislike loud groups should also understand that this is a shared excursion, not a quiet sailing charter.

The experience currently carries a 4.3 out of 5 rating from 266 ratings. That fits the overall picture: strong approval for the boat, crew, food setting, and general day out, with some clear concerns about punctuality, passenger behavior, and the vegetarian meal.

Practical Tips for a Better Day

Wear a swimsuit beneath your clothes, since the swimming stop is a major part of the schedule. Bring sun protection and a towel, as the front nets and open deck receive plenty of sun.

Keep your expectations realistic about snorkeling. The clearest water may not always be shallow, and the crew’s chosen anchorage can change. If swimming is more important to you than seeing fish, you are more likely to enjoy the stop.

Use the net at the front for the best sense of speed and open water, but move to a shaded area when you need a break. The boat offers several ways to spend the sailing sections, so you do not need to stay in one place.

If you eat vegetarian food, contact the provider before departure. The standard barbecue centers on chicken, skewers, and sausages, and the alternative meal has not pleased everyone.

Finally, keep plans after the cruise loose. The normal duration is 5.5 hours, but the late departure reported on one outing shows why you should not schedule something immediately afterward.

Should You Book the Medes Islands Catamaran?

Book it if you want a social, good-value day at sea with a barbecue, drinks, swimming, and broad Costa Brava views. The two-hour water stop and the front nets give the trip more character than a basic sightseeing ride, while the central Roses departure keeps the day simple.

Skip it if you want a quiet private sail, firm timing, or a snorkeling trip focused on underwater wildlife. For most people who see this as a relaxed boat day rather than a serious nature expedition, the $66 package offers a pleasant way to reach the Medes Islands without having to organize the pieces yourself.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise leave from?

It leaves 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 cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately 5.5 hours. Starting times vary, so you should check availability for your chosen date.

Which languages are available?

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

What food is served for lunch?

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

Which drinks are included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment included?

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

Where does the boat stop for swimming?

The boat stops at Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa for about two hours, allowing time to swim and sunbathe.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option allows you to book without paying immediately.