Located on Spain’s Costa Brava, diving in L’Estartit provides access to the protected Medes Islands Marine Reserve, one of the Mediterranean’s top dive destinations. The Medes Islands are known for dramatic walls, caves, and dense marine life thanks to decades of protection. Divers regularly encounter groupers, barracuda, moray eels, octopus, nudibranchs, and schools of bream. Excellent visibility, rich biodiversity, and short boat rides make Medes Islands scuba diving ideal for both beginners and experienced divers.
The best season for scuba diving in L’Estartit runs from May to October, when water temperatures range from 18–25°C and visibility is at its peak. Summer offers warm water and calm seas, while spring and autumn provide fewer crowds and excellent marine encounters. Winter diving is possible for experienced divers with thicker exposure protection. Stable Mediterranean conditions make diving in the Medes Islands consistently rewarding.
Accessing Medes Islands dive sites is easy via Barcelona or Girona airports, both offering international connections. From Girona, L’Estartit is about a one-hour drive. Dive centres in L’Estartit operate daily boat trips to the marine reserve, with sites reached in just minutes. Operators provide guided dives, equipment rental, and certification courses. With excellent infrastructure and protected waters, diving in L’Estartit and the Medes Islands is simple and well organised.
This page wouldn't be possible without contributions from the following PADI members: Costa Brava Divers, Unisub Estartit. Disclaimer
Technical Diving
Freediving
Emergency First Response
FREE – Introduction to Scuba Diving Online
Marine Debris
Shark & Ray Protection
Adopt a Dive Site
