Medas Islands

by by Paul Eyden

The Medas Islands are located at the northern end of the Costa Brava, Spain, less than a mile off shore from the picturesque and friendly coastal town of Estartit. There are two main islands, Meda Gran and Meda Petita. There are numerous large outlying rocks, pinnacles and spectacular caverns caused by erosion. The islands are also the home of a huge marine park reserve and consequently, there is an abundance of sea life consisting of octopus, groupas, scorpion fish, rays, shoals of jacks, sea bream, barracuda and many more species. The currents are gentle and the depths at most sites between 6 and 20 metres. All in all, an excellent dive destination with attractions for divers of all grades and levels of experience.

Our party was made up of 47 full and associate members. With the exception of our two 3 month old aquanauts, it was agreed we seriously resembled the 30-80 club. We met at Gatwick Friday 25th July and enjoyed a swift flight 1 hour 40 minutes to Gerona, where a full 50-seater coach picked us up and transferred us to Estartit. We were all booked in to our rooms, showered and on tiptop form for our first evening. Well done to JR who organised it.

There were 37 divers and 11 possible dives, including a night-dive, during the week. We made approximately 400 dives, incident free and within BSAC approved standards. Everyone can be mighty proud to have been involved in such an enterprise.
I really can't recall a trip going so smoothly. Everyone remembered their weight belts on every dive, we had good visibility, we saw plenty of fish and the La Sirena dive school provided excellent boat facilities on the two boats we chartered. There were some exceptional sightings of eagle rays, huge groupers, scorpion fish and hundreds of barracuda. The octopuses were breeding and at several sites there were colonies hidden in the rock formations. We also enjoyed the caverns, caves and rocky inlets, where one could swim through short but wide tunnels, negotiate longer open caverns and always be welcomed by inquisitive fish at the openings.

The most famous dive in the Medas is at Dolfi Nord. A short tunnel slopes from 12 metres to 20 metres. At 12 m there is a statue of a dolphin and it is customary to kiss the dolphin for good luck before entering the tunnel.
I regret to report that we had two international incidents involving, who else, but the French and the Germans. One involved dive sites and the second the hotel restaurant. For two consecutive days, a yacht arrived whilst divers were down and moored on a huge buoy that we were using as a shot line. Despite polite remonstration by 'Connie', one of the dive guides, the German yacht master took the view that the buoy was there for his exclusive use and sod off all English divers! After an official report by La Sirena dive school supported by unimpeachable testimony from John R, the yacht master was banned from the Medas for 12 months and received an instant fine of several thousand Euros.
The second incident involved the French. The hotel culinary delights were the topic of much discussion during the week. Every meal allowed for variety in meat, poultry or fish options or, as it was carvery style in delivery, you could help yourself to it all. One of the dive leaders was navigating the queue, selecting portions of fare when he approached the French fries tray. Fancying a quick nibble, a chip was swiftly picked up and devoured. Instantly a French national protested his indignation at such British behaviour. A chip from the tray, devoured in the queue. The maitre-D was approached, the hotel receptionist was berated, the German yacht master was sought, an international incident beckoned. Vichy swine indeed. Fortunately, common sense prevailed and the Spanish hotel owners elected to take no heed. We did not see the Frenchies again that week, the national or the chips.
To recount the adventures of 47 members is a challenge too far, but I can assure readers that Estartit is a wonderful resort that is buzzing day and night. The shops, tapas bars, restaurants, market place and marina all combine to provide an environment that is both relaxing and exciting. The beach is huge, the bay 2 miles long.

Most evenings were spent in and around the Hotel, sipping drinks and chatting away. Several nights' entertainment was put on by the Hotel with DJs and hip-hop dancing. The senior club members led by example, dancing their cotton socks off. After midnight the night owls patrolled the nearby bars, of which there were scores. In one central square opposite the Hotel, there were at least 10 bars alone and hundreds of tourists gathered. The atmosphere was so friendly, a feature that was prevalent throughout the resort.
The trip was rounded off in grand style by the Flamenco hotel management team and La Sirena Dive School putting on an 'al-fresco' nibbles evening where we enjoyed jugs of Sangria, deep fried calamari and other Mediterranean delights. A presentation of a dolphin crystal globe was made to the Chairman and dive trip organiser, John R as a memento to celebrate our trip. The globe now adorns the club bar.
This was the club's third trip to the Medas, the third time we have used the Flamenco Hotel and La Sirena Dive School. It's been a marvellous trip with diving for all levels of experience and is highly recommended. We hope to visit the Medas again in 2005.

Kingston & Elmbridge BSAC Branch