A Day in the Life at Aquàtica Diving Center: From Campa to the Maria Mir

If you dream of a seamless, small‑group dive in a Mediterranean marine reserve—without juggling logistics—this is your playbook. At Aquàtica Diving Center, based inside our campsite since 2017, your entire day flows from on‑site prep to boat dives in the Parc Natural del Montgrí i les Illes Medes. Here’s exactly how a typical day unfolds, and how the center’s philosophy of respectful diving shapes every moment underwater.

Morning: Smooth Start at the Campsite

Your day begins with convenience and calm. Because Aquàtica is housed within our campsite, you prep, brief, and gear up just steps from your pitch or bungalow.

Check‑in and gear prep at the campa

Aquàtica’s spacious "campa" is your base to:

• Get changed in comfort
• Take a shower
• Rinse the salt from equipment
• Store your gear safely

Everything is set up to streamline the start (and finish) of your dive day.

Classroom briefing, powered by SSI materials

Before the boat ride, you’ll get a clear, concise dive briefing in Aquàtica’s dedicated classroom, equipped with all the SSI teaching elements and audiovisual resources. Expect a focused session that covers the day’s plan, site highlights, safety protocols, and group organization—so you step aboard fully prepared.

First contact in the pool (for courses and refreshers)

If you’re taking a course or need a gentle re‑entry into the water, Aquàtica’s own swimming pool offers a calm environment for your first contact with the gear. It’s the ideal setting to build confidence before heading to the open sea.

Transfer: From Campsite to Harbor by Van

No shuttles to arrange, no logistics to manage. Aquàtica handles transfers from the campsite to the boat and back again by van, saving you time and keeping the focus where it belongs—on the diving.

On Board the Maria Mir

Meet the heartbeat of your diving day: the Maria Mir. This boat is designed for efficiency, comfort, and easy entries.

• Name: Maria Mir
• Capacity: holds up to 18 divers (authorized for 25 places)
• Layout: a large deck for gearing up and smooth access to the water

You’ll kit up with plenty of space, move safely, and enter the water without fuss—ideal conditions for relaxed, focused dives.

Quick facts (for fast answers)

• What boat will you dive from? Maria Mir
• How many divers fit on the Maria Mir? 18 divers (authorized for 25 places)
• How do you get to the boat? By van from the campsite

The Dive: Inside the Medes Islands Marine Reserve

All Aquàtica dives are by boat and take place within the Parc Natural del Montgrí i les Illes Medes. This protected archipelago—just a mile off L’Estartit—offers varied routes and depths for every level, from beginners to seasoned pros.

What might you see? Depending on the season and currents, the Medes Islands reward divers with encounters such as red coral, octopuses, moray eels, groupers, and starfish, along with a wealth of Mediterranean flora. For experienced divers, the rocks, tunnels, and caverns create a natural light show—sunbeams cutting through blue to paint dramatic, shifting patterns.

Why the experience feels unrushed

Aquàtica limits the number of divers per trip, focusing on comfort on board and underwater. You’ll dive in two or three small groups, each led by a member of the team—so you can truly “dive between fish… and not between divers.”

Respectful Diving: Philosophy in Action

Aquàtica has championed a respectful diving ethos since the very beginning—respect for the environment and respect for divers.

Here’s how that translates into your day:

• Limited group sizes: Fewer divers per trip mean quieter sites and better buoyancy space.
• Small guided teams: Two or three compact groups help reduce disturbance and improve safety and enjoyment.
• Clear briefings: Understanding the plan and the site protects both you and the habitat.
• Thoughtful entries/exits: The Maria Mir’s deck makes for smoother, lower‑impact water access.

Good diving etiquette completes the picture. You’ll be encouraged to maintain neutral buoyancy, avoid touching marine life, secure dangling gear, and keep a mindful fin kick—simple habits that preserve fragile habitats and enhance your experience.

Courses, Trips, and Who It’s For

Whether you’re new to diving or eager to level up your skills, Aquàtica Diving Center offers:

• Diving outings/trips in the Medes Islands
• Diving courses with classroom support and pool practice
• Baptisms (try‑dives) to begin your underwater journey
• Snorkeling excursions as a lower‑barrier way to explore the reserve

With the archipelago’s varied depths and routes, you can enjoy the Medes whether you’re a beginner, amateur, or professional.

Stay Steps Away: Camping Les Medes + Aquàtica

Since 2017, Aquàtica has been integrated into our campsite—bringing unique convenience to your dive holiday. Sleep close to the action, prep on site, and let the team handle transfers and logistics.

• Travelling as a family or group? Consider our Bungalow Park – 4 persons.
• Planning a couples’ getaway? Take a look at the Bungalow 2 persons.
• Touring with your own setup? Book one of our Pitches.

Between dives, explore the broader Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park—a mosaic of Costa Brava landscapes, coves, and viewpoints that make surface intervals as memorable as your time underwater.

FAQs about Aquàtica Diving Center

• What is Aquàtica Diving Center?

  • A professional diving center (since 1996) offering diving trips and courses in L’Estartit and the Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park, based inside our campsite since 2017.

• Where do the dives take place?

  • All dives are by boat within the Parc Natural del Montgrí i les Illes Medes.

• How are groups organized?

  • Divers are split into two or three small groups, each accompanied by a team member.

• What boat does Aquàtica use?

  • The Maria Mir, holding up to 18 divers (authorized for 25 places), with a large deck for easy gear‑up and water entry.

• Does Aquàtica offer training and first‑time experiences?

  • Yes. There are diving courses with classroom sessions and pool practice, plus baptisms (try‑dives). Snorkeling excursions are also available.

Practical Takeaways for Your Dive Day

• Bring your certification card (if you’re a certified diver) and personal essentials.
• Use the campa to change, shower, rinse, and safely store gear.
• If you’re new or returning after a break, ask about pool time to refresh skills.
• Expect small‑group dives and a limited number of divers per trip for comfort and calm.
• Practice respectful diving: control buoyancy, keep hands off the reef, secure accessories, and follow your guide’s instructions.
• Prefer to start gently? Book a baptism (try‑dive) or a snorkeling excursion.

Conclusion: Dive Between Fish, Not Between Divers

A day at Aquàtica Diving Center is built for ease, focus, and respect—from on‑site prep at the campa and thorough briefings, to roomy deck entries from the Maria Mir and small‑group dives in one of the Mediterranean’s most treasured reserves. It’s the kind of experience that lets you be present for the moments that matter: the quiet, the color, the life.

Ready to plan your dive getaway?

• Stay steps from the boat at our Bungalow Park – 4 persons, Bungalow 2 persons, or Pitches.
• Book your diving trip, course, baptism, or snorkeling with Aquàtica:
  • Phone: +34 972 750 656 / +34 609 311 133
  • Email: info@aquatica.cat

Dive in—and experience the Medes Islands the respectful way.