The first time you go underwater, everything changes fast. This small-group trip pairs scuba basics with snorkeling in Montgrí’s protected marine waters.

I love how instruction feels one-to-one and practical, not rushed. I also love that you get time to breathe easy, float, and then keep exploring with snorkel gear after.

The main thing to think about: this activity needs a medical check for several conditions, and you’ll need to be comfortable in the water for the full outing.

Key moments that make this tour worth your time

• Small group (max 9), so you’re not lost in a crowd.
• One-to-one guidance with a certified instructor for your first scuba try session.
• Up to 20 minutes underwater with safety and technique built in.
• About 50 minutes snorkeling to keep exploring the protected reserve after training.
• Boat trip from L’Estartit toward the Medes Islands and Montgrí area.
• Friendly, reassuring instructors, with standouts like Lucas getting praised for calm coaching.

L’Estartit’s marine reserve is a smart beginner playground

L’Estartit is one of those places where the water does a lot of the convincing for you. You’re heading into Montgrí Natural Park and the protected reserve waters around the Medes Islands, an area known for clear marine life and protected habitat—exactly what you want when you’re new and still learning how your gear works.

What makes this outing feel beginner-friendly is the way it’s paced. You’re not thrown into a long training arc before you see anything. You get a briefing, then you go underwater for a short, controlled session (up to 20 minutes), and then you switch to snorkeling to extend the experience without the pressure of scuba tasks.

And if you’re wondering what the underwater part actually feels like: the goal is calm. The experience is designed so you can focus on breathing steadily and staying buoyant—so the sensation isn’t just wow, it’s confidence.

From Medaqua store to the water: quick, clear, and efficient

Your check-in is at the Medaqua Snorkel Tours store in L’Estartit. After you arrive, expect a short walk—about five minutes—before you’re lined up for the next step. This matters because the whole trip is only 2.5 hours, and they use that time without filler.

Once you’re checked in, you’ll get your equipment. The included gear typically covers what you need for both the scuba try session and snorkeling (so you’re not hunting around town for wetsuits, masks, or snorkels at the last minute).

I like that the meeting point is straightforward and not some complicated “find this pier after a long shuttle.” You show up, get ready, and then you’re on the water.

The boat ride to Montgrí and the Medes Islands: part sightseeing, part setup

The outing includes a boat trip, and you’ll head along the coastlines connected to Montgrí Natural Park, the Medes Islands, and Baix Ter Natural Park. You’ll get that classic Costa Brava feel: you’re moving away from the shore enough to feel like you’re actually exploring a protected marine area, not just doing a quick swim.

But the boat isn’t just transport. It’s where you settle your nerves. For first-timers, that’s huge. You’re getting your bearings, learning how the day will flow, and mentally shifting from land-mode to water-mode.

If you’re prone to seasickness, bring your usual prevention strategy. The tour details don’t specify conditions or boat type, so the best approach is to plan like you would for any open-water transfer on the coast.

Your first scuba try session (up to 20 minutes): safety first, then freedom

This is the heart of the experience, and it’s designed to feel structured without feeling stiff.

Before you go in, your instructor gives a safety briefing and an introduction to the basics you’ll need underwater. The big value here is qualified, immediate support—and you’ll feel it from the format: small group size (limited to 9) and one-to-one instruction.

During your first underwater session, you’ll go down and explore for up to 20 minutes. That time is long enough to see marine life and learn what good breathing and floating feel like, but short enough that you’re not overwhelmed as a beginner.

What you’ll focus on underwater

The experience is set up around two things:

• Breathing calmly and steadily so you don’t fight your gear.
• Buoyancy and comfort so you can float and look around instead of panicking or constantly adjusting.

You also get to experience the protected waters and marine life around the park. Expect to see fish and plant life typical of Mediterranean protected reserves, with colors and shapes that look very different once you’re at water level and not looking through waves.

A practical note about equipment

The activity includes gear, but there’s an important rule: if equipment gets broken, damaged, or lost, you pay for it. That’s normal in this kind of setup, but it’s worth knowing before you hop in. Treat the gear like it’s yours, because for liability purposes, it effectively is.

Snorkeling time: keep the magic going without the scuba workload

After your first underwater session, you switch to snorkeling and explore further using your snorkel and mask (also included). This part is where the day expands from training into pure marine exploration.

The itinerary shows a snorkeling block of about 50 minutes in L’Estartit’s waters. In real terms, that means you’ll have time to swim at your own pace and really look. Snorkeling is often the easiest way to stretch your experience because you’re not managing scuba equipment and buoyancy the same way.

If you’re a beginner, snorkeling is also a relief. You can concentrate on what you’re seeing—fish moving near the surface, plant life underwater—while staying in control of your comfort level.

Who this trip is best for (and who should skip it)

This activity is a strong fit if you’re:

• New to scuba and want a short, guided introduction
• Comfortable swimming and ready to spend time in water during the full 2.5 hours
• Looking for an experience that balances learning with real marine viewing

It’s less suitable if you have medical restrictions. You must present a specific medical certificate if you have asthma, epilepsy, lung disease, heart problems, perforation of eardrums, diabetes, or vascular diseases. If you’ve suffered pneumothorax, you can’t participate. Also, it’s not suitable for pregnant women.

If you’re unsure where you fit, don’t guess. Check your eligibility based on those conditions before you book, because underwater activities aren’t the place for surprises.

Price and value: what you’re paying for at $92

At $92 per person for a 2.5-hour outing, you’re not just paying for access to water. You’re paying for:

• A boat trip
• Qualified instructor time (including the safety briefing and your guided underwater session)
• Diving/scuba and snorkeling gear
• The structured training component (up to 20 minutes underwater)
• Snorkeling time to keep exploring

Food and drinks aren’t included, so you’ll want to plan a snack strategy before or after. But for the combination of boat + instructor support + equipment + two water experiences, this is the kind of price that often feels fair—especially because the group is capped at 9 and the teaching is one-to-one.

In other words: you’re paying for guidance you can feel, not just a ticket.

The small-group factor: why max 9 matters for your confidence

I really like tours that keep the group small, because it usually means:

• Better attention during the briefing
• Less waiting around while someone gets extra help
• More time to ask questions and get corrections fast

Here, the cap is 9 participants, and the instructor support is built around that. In a lot of beginner activities, you spend half the day trying to read what someone else is doing. This format aims to prevent that.

The reassurance angle comes up strongly in feedback you can feel in how the trip is described: instructors are there to steady your nerves and walk you through each step, not just hand you gear and wave you toward the water. One review highlights Lucas specifically for a warm welcome and excellent instruction, and that lines up with the whole setup.

What to bring so nothing slows you down

Keep it simple and practical:

• Passport or ID card
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen

Also think about your own comfort items. The tour doesn’t list extras like a dry bag or water shoes, so if you use them normally, bring them. Since you’ll be on a boat and in the water, you’ll want to protect your personal gear from salt and spray.

Timing and what a 2.5-hour schedule feels like in real life

A 2.5-hour duration means you’ll stay busy, but not exhausted.

Expect:

• Check-in and gear prep after meeting at Medaqua
• A short walk before you’re ready
• Boat travel to the protected area
• Your safety briefing and the up to 20-minute underwater session
• Snorkeling time (about 50 minutes shown in the plan)
• Return boat trip back to the L’Estartit harbor

If you hate rushed schedules, this might feel active. But if you like a day with clear steps and a focused payoff, it’s a solid time block—especially if you’re also planning other Costa Brava stops.

Practical tips that make your underwater day easier

Here are the small things that help most first-timers:

• Arrive ready to swim. Less changing time, more water time.
• Keep your breathing calm during your briefing and underwater session. The coaching is built around steady breathing and floating.
• Pay attention when they explain safety steps. Your comfort level grows fast once you know what to do if something feels off.
• Don’t overthink the underwater session length. Up to 20 minutes is intentionally short for beginners.

And one more tip: if you’re anxious, tell the instructor immediately. The whole setup is designed for reassurance and technique, and good instructors adjust their pacing.

Should you book this Medaqua snorkeling and scuba try session?

If you’re a beginner and you want a structured, instructor-led introduction in an actual protected marine area, I think this is a smart booking. The biggest strengths are the small group size, one-to-one coaching, and the clear payoff: you learn the basics, get up to 20 minutes underwater, then snorkel for about 50 minutes to keep exploring.

But make the call carefully if you’re dealing with any of the medical conditions listed, or if you’re pregnant. Also remember that food and drinks aren’t included, so plan that part outside the tour.

Overall, for $92, you’re getting boat access, gear, instructor support, and real time in Montgrí and the Medes area. That combination is hard to beat when you want an authentic first water adventure without turning it into a long course.

FAQ

How long is the experience?

The total duration is 2.5 hours.

Where do I check in?

Check in at the Medaqua Snorkel Tours store.

How many people are in the group?

The group is small, limited to 9 participants.

What underwater time do I get?

Your guided underwater session lasts up to 20 minutes.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is provided and snorkeling is included after your instructor session.

What’s included in the price?

A boat trip, instructor, diving and snorkeling gear, a safety briefing, your up to 20-minute underwater session, and snorkeling.

Is hotel pickup or drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

Is it safe for everyone?

It is not suitable for pregnant women. If you have asthma, epilepsy, lung disease, heart problems, perforation of eardrums, diabetes, or vascular diseases, you must present a specific medical certificate. If you have had pneumothorax, you cannot participate.

What happens if I damage or lose equipment?

Any equipment that gets broken, damaged, or lost must be paid for by the participant.