Scuba Diving
The Costa Brava’s Illes Medes nature preserve offers some of the Mediterranean’s finest diving adventures. Seven tiny islands off the coastal town of L’Estartit are home to some 1,400 species of flora and fauna in an underwater wonderland of tunnels and caves. Other diving sites include the Illes Formigues off the coast of Palamós, Els Ullastres off Llafranc, and the Balfegó tuna pens off l’Ametlla de Mar, south of Tarragona.
Aquàtica–Centro de Buceo. Aquàtica–Centro de Buceo teaches diving, rents equipment, and organizes outings to the Illes Medes. With top safety-code requirements and certified instructors and biologists directing the programs in English, French, Catalan, or Spanish, this is one of Estartit's best diving opportunities. Aquàtica operates year-round, but winter excursions are suitable only for PADI-certified experienced divers. Paratge Camp de l'Arbre s/n, L'Estartit, Catalonia, 17258. 972/750656; 609/311133; www.aquatica-sub.com/eng/home.
Tuna Tours. The fisheries company Grup Balfegó catches young Atlantic bluefin tuna and raises them for sale 4 km (2½ miles) offshore from the port of l'Ametlla de Mar in Tarragona. From June through September, they offer regular snorkeling excursions by luxury catamaran from the port out to the pens where visitors can feed these 200-kilogram-plus creatures. The cost is €49 per person in summer high season, or €39 in September, with a meal of tuna sashimi. Port l'Ametlla de Mar, Barcelona, Catalonia, 43860. 648/047177; www.tuna-tour.com. Excursion times depend on weather, check website; weekends only in the off-season, on reduced schedules.
