The Medas Islands: An underwater refuge

Francesco Ricciardi · Issue 54, May/Jun 2010 · pp. 60–63

Products mentioned: Nikon D80, Sealux Housing, Sea&Sea Strobes, Nikon 18mm, Nikkor 105mm micro, Tokina 11-17mm

“Do they really become THAT big? I can’t believe it!” Usually, this is the first question you ask your guide after your first dive at the Medas Islands. A Marine Protected Area since 1983, this group of small islands (the biggest, “Meda Gran” is only 1.8 km2) hosts incredible marine diversity, and the complete protection from every fishing activity permits the “inhabitants” like the famous Medas groupers to reach probably the upper limits of their body size. If you’re lucky enough to dive during a day with good visibility (and it is not so uncommon, especially during summer months) you can really enjoy probably one of the best dive-spots in the whole Mediterranean Sea. L’Estartit is a small fishing town located in the northern part of Catalunya, North-East Spain, where only a few diving centres have the rights to approach the Islands. The boat trip is very short – maximum 10 minutes – an…