Activities · Destination Guide
Costa Brava and Medes Islands
Mediterranean walls, grouper-filled islets, and Costa Brava villages in one easy land-based trip
Updated Apr 20, 2026 • 34 sources
Costa Brava and Medes Islands Activity Planning
Pick an activity mode to compare signature sites, skill fit, and gear planning notes before you lock your trip.
Scuba
What It Feels Like
The Medes Islands deliver the most reliable dive density on the Spanish Mediterranean: short boat rides, protected routes, big groupers, caverns, gorgonian walls, and enough depth variety for Open Water divers through advanced photographers. L'Estartit is the operational hub, with authorized centers such as Unisub, El Rei del Mar, La Sirena, and other Costa Brava dive association members running scheduled reserve dives when sea state allows.
Signature Sites
Start Here
A flexible Medes itinerary with wall life, fish movement, and route options that guides can tune to experience and sea state.
Advanced
A Medes classic with welllit cavities, fishfilled tunnels, and gorgonian scenery in the {{ 15 | distance:m }} to {{ 25 | distance:m }} range.
A north Meda Petita route with a beginnerfriendly short illuminated tunnel plus deeper, more serious passages nearby.
One of the best places for big Medes groupers, schooling fish, and dramatic structure.
Planning Playbook
Operator Checklist
Book Medes reserve dives early for July and August. Ask the center which permit or activity fee is included, whether guiding is mandatory for your level, and what medical paperwork is required. New divers, or anyone out of the water for a year, should schedule a check dive before ambitious wall or wreck days. Bring certification cards, insurance proof, and a DSMB. Follow buoy lines, stay neutrally buoyant, and never feed or touch marine life.
Conditions Fallback
- Book Medes reserve dives early for July and August. Ask the center which permit or activity fee is included, whether guiding is mandatory for your level, and what medical paperwork is required. New divers, or anyone out of the water for a year, should schedule a check dive before ambitious wall or wreck days. Bring certification cards, insurance proof, and a DSMB. Follow buoy lines, stay neutrally buoyant, and never feed or touch marine life.
Avoid
- Book Medes reserve dives early for July and August. Ask the center which permit or activity fee is included, whether guiding is mandatory for your level, and what medical paperwork is required. New divers, or anyone out of the water for a year, should schedule a check dive before ambitious wall or wreck days. Bring certification cards, insurance proof, and a DSMB. Follow buoy lines, stay neutrally buoyant, and never feed or touch marine life.