Diving in the Illes Medes
The Mare Nostrum holds many a secret in its 2.5 million square kilometers, including a scattering of uninhabited islands just off the Spanish coast. In stark contrast to many Mediterranean islands, there’s not a soul to be seen in the archipelago of the Illes Medes along the Costa Brava. A distinguished natural park and marine reserve boasting crystalline waters and an abundance of wildlife, this is a diver’s paradise.
Located just a mile off the coast from L’Estartit, the Medes Islands archipelago consists of seven islets and forms part of the Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park. Once a base for pirates, and later monks, the islands have been uninhabited since 1934. They are considered to be one of the most important marine reserves in the Mediterranean and are a popular destination for scuba diving.
Suitable for all levels, dives of varying depths are possible, with shallower areas offering dense, well-lit seaweed and over a hundred brightly colored species. Dive down 10-15 meters, and you’ll find light-deprived seaweed, rocks, coral, starfish, octopus and lobster, whilst a further five meters will bring you to colored coral inhabited by over 600 species of fauna. Sardines, barracudas, eagle rays and groupers can all be spotted in the area. The limestone archipelago is also known for its caves and tunnels, although extreme care must be taken in those areas. The largest shipwreck along the Costa Brava, the Reggio Messina, which was deliberately sunk in 1991, lies close by.
There are several diving schools in L’Estartit offering a range of excursions to the islands, suitable for varying levels of experience. If diving isn’t your thing, Nautilus, based in L’Estartit, has a fleet of glass-bottomed boats offering several sailing trips per day around the islands and along the nearby Montgrí coast, where you can catch a glimpse of the underwater world without getting your feet wet.
What's Down There
Dusky Grouper
The dusky grouper has a dark brown body with yellow and white asymmetrical splotches. The tip of its fin is bright white, making its lower end look luminescent. It measures 50-100 centimeters and weighs 3-10 kilograms.
European Barracuda
Fast swimmers and powerful predators, the European barracuda has a long, compressed body covered in small, silver scales. It has a large mouth and a projecting lower jaw lined with prominent, sharp teeth. It normally measures 30–60 centimeters and weighs approximately six kilograms.
European Sea Bass
The European sea bass is dark blue, green or grey in color with a light white or yellow belly. Juveniles tend to have lighter bodies than adults, with small dark spots along their backs that generally disappear within the first year. It measures up to a meter long, weighing 9-10 kilograms.
Mediterranean Gorgonian
The Mediterranean gorgonian is a species of bright, soft coral that grows in fan-shaped colonies. They are brilliantly colored in bright yellow, fuchsia and red.
Originally published August 2018, updated July 23, 2022.