From Roses: Sailing Catamaran Cruise to Medes Islands

The best part of this outing is the simple pleasure of being on the water. You sail out from Roses, pass through the Bay of Roses, circle the Medes Islands, and spend about two hours stopped in a pretty cove. The catamaran’s front nets let you lie above the water as the sea slips underneath, while the crew prepares lunch behind you.

I like the combination of easy swimming time and a freshly cooked barbecue. I also like that water, soft drinks, and drinks with lunch are included, so the $66 price covers more than just a boat ride. The main caution is timing: some sailings have had departure delays, and the stop may offer limited snorkeling if the boat anchors in deeper water.

At a glance: what makes this cruise worthwhile

• A full five and a half hours at sea: This is a proper half-day outing, not a quick coastal spin.
• Two possible swimming locations: You may stop at Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa, depending on the day’s plan.
• Lunch cooked aboard the catamaran: Expect chicken breasts, skewers, sausages, salads, bread, and watermelon.
• Drinks are included: Water is available throughout, with soft drinks, regional wine, and sangria served at lunch.
• The Medes Islands provide the scenery: You’ll see the islands, the village of L’Estartit, and the Montgrí massif from the water.
• A €10 snorkeling deposit is required: Equipment is included once that deposit is paid.

Leaving Roses from the Dock of Ginjolers

Your morning begins at the Dock of Ginjolers, in the center of Roses, directly in front of Hotel Ramblamar at 153 Avenida de Rhode. This central meeting point is useful if you are already staying in town, since you do not need a separate transfer to reach the boat.

The catamaran is described as spacious and comfortable, with room to sit in the open air and space on the nets at the front. I would arrive early enough to find the meeting point without rushing. Departure has not always been perfectly punctual, with one reported delay of about an hour and little information given during the wait. That is not the normal experience you should count on, but it is a fair reason not to schedule a tight dinner reservation or another paid activity immediately afterward.

Once the boat leaves Roses, the first part of the trip is about enjoying the Costa Brava from sea level. The Bay of Roses opens around you, giving you a much different view than a roadside lookout or beach promenade. The coast, the water, and the changing angle of the shore are the main entertainment while the catamaran makes its way toward the islands.

The boat’s pace gives you time to settle in. You can sit back, use the front nets, take photographs, or have water and a soft drink. This is not a guided history tour packed with facts. It is a relaxed sailing day built around scenery, swimming, food, and time outside.

Crossing the Bay of Roses toward the Medes Islands

The Medes Islands are a small group of rocky islands protected as part of the Medes Islands Natural Park. Their appeal is not a long list of monuments. It is the contrast between bare rock, clear water, open sea, and the Costa Brava coast behind them.

As you approach, the crew takes you around the islands. You can look toward L’Estartit and the Montgrí massif, which give the crossing a clear sense of place. The islands are especially enjoyable when viewed from the boat because you see their shapes and rocky edges from several angles rather than arriving at one fixed beach.

The sailing portion matters because it prevents the day from feeling like a simple transfer to a swimming spot. You get a broad view of the coast on the way out and another view on the way back. If you enjoy being on the water, this is likely to be one of the strongest parts of the trip.

At the same time, you should set the right expectation. The catamaran’s route and stop are designed for a general group outing, not a private sailing charter. The mood can change depending on the mix of people aboard. Most of the time, you can expect a social boat atmosphere, but a loud group can make the ride less peaceful.

Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa for swimming

The main stop lasts about two hours at either Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa. This is where the day shifts from sightseeing to leisure. You can swim, sunbathe, sit on deck, or stretch out on the nets while the crew prepares lunch.

The water is described as clear and turquoise, making this the natural highlight for anyone who wants a sea swim. Life jackets are available for both children and adults. Snorkeling equipment is also provided with a €10 deposit, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins if you are happy to use the boat’s gear.

The word snorkeling needs a little context here. Water conditions and the anchoring spot matter. One sailing stopped in an area where the water was too deep for good fish viewing, and the actual time close to the islands felt shorter than expected. If you are booking mainly to see marine life, keep your hopes measured. You may enjoy clear water and a pleasant swim, but this is not presented as a specialist snorkeling expedition.

Cala Montgó and Illa Pedrosa also offer different kinds of scenery. Cala Montgó is associated with a sheltered cove and a beach setting, while Illa Pedrosa gives you a more island-focused stop. Since the exact location can vary, you should treat the choice as part of the day’s operating plan rather than a feature you can select in advance.

The two-hour pause is long enough for a proper swim without making the entire excursion about getting in the water. If you prefer to stay dry, the catamaran gives you a good place to sunbathe and watch the coast. This makes the tour suitable for mixed groups, including people who want to swim and people who would rather remain on deck.

Barbecue lunch with sea views

While you are swimming or relaxing, the crew prepares lunch on board. The standard meal includes chicken breasts, skewers, sausages, fresh green salad, Russian salad, bread, and watermelon for dessert. It is familiar, filling food suited to a day in the sun rather than an elaborate restaurant meal.

Drinks are part of the package. Water, including still and sparkling mineral water, is available throughout the trip. With lunch, you can have soft drinks, red, rosé, or white regional wine, along with sangria. That makes the price easier to justify, especially if you would otherwise spend extra on food and drinks during a long beach day.

I would describe the meal as a useful part of the experience, not the sole reason to book. The setting is the real advantage. Eating barbecue on a catamaran with the sea around you feels more memorable than eating the same basic foods at a café.

Vegetarian diners should take a little care. A vegetarian burger is available, but one meal was described as overly strong and unpleasant. The stated main menu centers on meat, salads, bread, and fruit, so anyone with a strict vegetarian diet should confirm what can be provided before booking. The supplied information does not promise a broad vegetarian menu.

Lunch also affects the rhythm of the stop. You are not rushed off the boat to find food, and you do not lose swimming time looking for a restaurant. The crew handles the meal while you enjoy the water. That convenience is one of the tour’s quiet strengths.

The front nets and the social side of the boat

The catamaran’s nets are one of its most distinctive features. Lying there gives you the feeling of floating above the sea, with water passing underneath. It is a good spot for photographs and for enjoying the motion of the boat without sitting inside.

Space on the nets may be popular, so do not assume you will have one section to yourself. The boat offers a shared social setting, with open deck areas and seating for people who prefer a firmer surface. I would bring sun protection and a towel, although the supplied information does not list towel rental or beach equipment.

The atmosphere can be lively. For some people, that is exactly right for a summer Costa Brava outing. For others, a large group celebrating loudly can make the ride less restful. The crew’s service and the group aboard will shape the mood more than any formal entertainment program.

This is a good match for friends, couples, and families who want a simple day outdoors. Children and adults have access to life jackets, and the swimming stop gives younger passengers something active to do. Families should still remember that this is a boat day, with sun, open water, and a long period away from shore.

What the $66 price really includes

At $66 per person, the cost is reasonable if you use the main inclusions. You receive five and a half hours on the catamaran, the coastal cruise, the Medes Islands route, a swimming stop, barbecue lunch, and drinks. Water is available throughout, and lunch drinks include wine and sangria.

The value is strongest when you compare it with arranging the same day independently. You would need to pay for transport to a swimming location, food, drinks, and some form of boat trip. Here, those pieces are combined into one outing, and you do not need to drive after drinking wine or sangria.

The price is less compelling if you mainly want to snorkel around the islands for a long time. The exact stop can be deep, and the time close to the islands may feel brief. In that case, a dedicated snorkeling trip could better fit your priorities, although no alternative tour details are provided here.

The €10 deposit for snorkeling equipment is separate from the advertised price. It is not a large addition, but you should know about it before boarding. Only card payments are accepted on board, and American Express is not accepted. Bring another card if you expect to buy anything or pay the equipment deposit.

A 4.3 rating from 266 ratings suggests a generally positive experience with some important variations. The strongest points are the pleasant sailing, the crew’s meal service, the scenery, and the overall value for families, especially where children aged six and under can go free. The weaker points are delays, limited fish viewing at some anchorages, and food that may not suit every vegetarian diner.

Languages, flexibility, and practical planning

The live tour is offered in Spanish, English, and French. That makes the outing workable for a mixed international crowd, though this is primarily a sailing and leisure experience rather than a detailed educational tour.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if your Costa Brava schedule is still changing. Check the available start time when you book because the exact departure time is not fixed in the supplied information.

Pack for a long period in direct sun. You will want swimwear, sun protection, and something dry to wear after the stop. The boat provides life jackets and snorkeling equipment with a deposit, but the supplied details do not state that towels, lockers, or personal storage are included.

Keep your schedule loose after the cruise. A sailing day can run late, and one departure was delayed by an hour. That does not make the tour a bad choice, but it does mean you should avoid booking a nonrefundable evening activity with a narrow start time.

Who should book this Costa Brava sailing day

I would choose this cruise if you want a relaxed day on the water with several activities folded together. It suits you especially well if you like swimming, sunbathing, casual food, and coastal views more than formal sightseeing.

Families can get good value from the included food, drinks, and safety equipment. Couples and friends may enjoy the front nets and the easy social atmosphere. It also works for a group with mixed interests because swimmers can use the stop while non-swimmers stay on deck.

I would think twice if you need strict punctuality, quiet surroundings, or a highly focused snorkeling program. You should also check the meal arrangements if you are vegetarian, since the alternative may not be satisfying.

Should you book the Magic Catamarans cruise?

Book it if your ideal Costa Brava day includes a broad coastal cruise, clear water, a barbecue lunch, and plenty of time to relax without organizing each part yourself. At $66, the included lunch and drinks make the price fair, and the five and a half hour duration gives you a full outing rather than a short boat transfer.

Skip it if your top priority is serious snorkeling, guaranteed fish viewing, or a silent, tightly timed sailing. For most people who want an uncomplicated day at sea from Roses, this is a good-value choice, provided you accept the possible delay and the shared boat atmosphere.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise leave from?

The boat leaves from the Dock of Ginjolers in central Roses, in front of Hotel Ramblamar at 153, Avenida de Rhode, 17480 Roses, Girona.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts five and a half hours.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The catamaran sails to the Medes Islands Natural Park and tours around the islands.

Where do you stop for swimming?

The swimming stop is at Cala Montgó or Illa Pedrosa. The exact stop can vary.

How long is the swimming stop?

You have about two hours to swim and sunbathe while lunch is prepared.

Is barbecue lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes chicken breasts, skewers, sausages, green salad, Russian salad, bread, and watermelon.

What drinks are included?

Water is available throughout the trip. Lunch drinks include soft drinks, 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.

What languages are available on the tour?

The live tour is offered in Spanish, English, and French.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.