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Guide: Homepage » Tourist Information » Illes Medes The Medes Islands L'Estartit - Illes Medas off the coast of Estartit, Costa BravaThe Illes Medes are located off Estartit (less than 1 mile), at the northern end of Spain's Costa Brava. This is a national park and dives are regulated (Annual dives were around the 80,000 mark in 1994 but have now been restricted to 60,000 - 400 a day - to protect the reserve). The Medes Islands comprise two main islands - Meda Gran and Meda Petita - with numerous large outlying rocks and pinnacles that have been carved out by erosion and the action of the sea. There is a incredible quantity of fishs in this marine park, including huge and numerous groopers ! Some caves are welle known such as the Dolphin's cave (Tunels del Dofi) and the Cow cave (Cova de la Vaca). The Medes Islands are without doubt one of Estartit's greatest assets, attracting visitors from other major coastal resorts and divers from many different countries. The archipelago of seven islets was once the hideout of pirates who plagued the Mediterranean coastline for centuries. The islands lie one and a half kilometres off the beach and are at the centre of one of the most important marine reserves in the whole of the Mediterranean. Thousands of plant and animal species thrive on the islands and underwater in this national reserve which has been protected by a law passed by the Catalonian Parliament in 1990. Diving is unrestricted but fishing, including underwater fishing, is prohibited allowing a vast and rich variety of marine life to flourish here. Scuba divers are delighted by some extraordinary sights including shoals of thousands of glimmering fish, carpets of coral, scores of octopus tangled together and underwater caverns illuminated by shafts of sunlight streaming through rock crevices. There are numerous diving clubs and schools in the area to cater for beginners and experienced divers alike. And worry not if you prefer underwater exploration without getting your feet wet. Glass bottomed boats tour the islands regularly from Estartit.
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