MEDES ISLANDS

Seven rocky islets, a continuation of the Montgri massif, harbour a rich diversity of plant and animal life, and in 1985 they were declared Spain's first marine nature reserve. Local fishermen, banned from fishing in the area, feared for their livelihood; but the protection of the marine environment has been such a success that catches are up everywhere else as a result. Scuba divers come from all over Spain to swim among coral reefs and caves teeming with grouper, scorpion fish and spiny lobsters.

Glass bottomed boats leave regularly in summer from the harbor at L'Estartit  some trips include the opportunity to go snorkeling. There are strict regulations about fishing, boating and night diving in the protected area, and it is essential to check with the authorities at the harbour in L'Estartit. In the past the islands have been used as a pirate hideout and a French military prison, but nowadays they are uninhabited apart from the sea birds, especially the thousands of yellow legged gulls, who breed here between March and May each year.