The Medes Islands form an archipelago covering 21.5 hectares, made up of seven islands and several small islets, located just over one mile from the harbour of l’Estartit.

While the terrestrial vegetation and fauna are noteworthy, the true value of the Medes Islands lies in their marine environment. Their proximity to the coast and the mouth of the Ter River, combined with northern winds and currents, varying seabed depths, sandy and rocky substrates, and extensive karst formations with underwater caves and tunnels, has created an exceptionally diverse ecosystem.

The seabed is protected, although recreational diving and guided visits are permitted, either with private boats or through the many diving centres operating along the coast.

Environmental protection regulations introduced by the Catalan government in the 1980s, later reinforced by Law 19/1990, have made the Medes Islands the largest marine nature reserve in Catalonia and one of the most significant in the Mediterranean.