By Cacinda Maloney
If you are following along in my series on Costa Brava, Spain:
Post #1: Costa Brava, Spain’s Northeast Coast: Getting There
Post #2: Diamonds are a girl’s best friend: Girona, Spain
This is post #3: So, you want to go to Spain’s Brave Coast? Seaside L’Estartit
Costa Brava, literally, the “Brave Coast” of Spain, is not to be missed on a trip to the region. After leaving Girona, in a car or on the bus on Motorway A. Take exit 5, if you are a diver like me, to L’Estartit.
L’Estartit, Spain
This is the #1 destination of diving in the Mediterranean Sea! The dive shops are plentiful and they are limited by the government on how many daily divers they can take out to their pristine, protected reef in the Medes Islands, just a short boat ride out to the dive spots. I hear Johnny with Unisub Diving Center , a 45 year old, multi generational, family-owned dive center, is the guy to dive with. Protection of the islands began in 1983 with an Order of the Government of Catalonia, and in 1990 the protection was increased to the seabed flora and fauna, encouraging a spectacular recovery of the natural marine heritage and turning the area into a sanctuary for numerous species in danger of extinction. Diving is the culture here.
L’Estartit, Costa Brava, Spain
The Medes Islands, a small archipelago, consists of seven islands and a reef, are located about a mile short of the Empordà coast. If you aren’t a diver, consider taking a glass bottom boat or a schooner like the El Corsari Negre around the Medes Island (18-27 Euros, depending on which route you take).
The town itself is a very typical, seaside town, with lots of restaurants and shops that line the coast. If you aren’t a diver (or married to one), I would suggest to skip this stop, or stop only for a few minutes to breathe in the fresh air and have lunch, because there is even more to see along the Costa Brava.
Here is a little photo scenery from L’Estartit:
L’Estartit, Costa Brava, Spain
L’Estartit, Costa Brava, Spain
L’Estartit, Costa Brava, Spain
And don’t forget the food, I ate at La Sal Restaurant Bar Tarraza, right on the ocean.
Seafood: L’Estartit, Costa Brava, Spain
Seafood: L’Estartit, Costa Brava, Spain
Seafood: L’Estartit, Costa Brava, Spain
The people here are nice and genuine, and you should have a great day at L’estarit. If you are not a diver, stay with me till the next stop to Begur, as Spain’s Costa Brava has something to offer for everyone!
Up next, Post #4: Medieval villages along the coast of Spain: Begur
Post #5: Where to stay in Begur, Spain: Hotel Aiuga Blava
Disclaimer: My visit to L’estarit was sponsored by the Costa Brava Tourism Board. Opinions noted here are entirely my own.
Want more info about Spain?
The Most Charming Walled City in Spain
Colonial Guell and Guadi’s Crypt
Luxury Cava and Wine Tour in Spain
The Rock of Gibraltar and Seville, Spain
The Apples in Spain Fall Mainly on the Plain: Costa Brava
A Tapas Pub Crawl in Palamos, Spain
Sweet and Salty at La Boqueria: Barcelona, Spain
Charming Medieval Villages Along the Costa Brava, Spain
Aiguablava Hotel: Begur, Spain
Spain’s North Coast: Getting there
So About That Castle Party in Spain
Girona, Spain: Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend
Interested in Diving? I actually have a few dive articles I wrote here:
Belize: Life in the Underworld
Diving at Castaway Island, Fiji
Diving the Red Sea, Aquaba, Jordan
