Cala Montjoi has an advantage you can't see from your towel: the seabed drops off quickly a few metres from the shore, inside a protected marine area. That means marine life close by, clear water and several ways to enjoy it without the car. Here they are, from the simplest to the most technical.
Snorkelling: the easiest and the most surprising
You don't need a course or a booking. Just a mask, a snorkel and the ability to swim. It's the best way to look down into the Cap de Creus seabed, and in Cala Montjoi you do it straight from the beach.
© Joan Barcia
One single rule makes the difference between seeing a lot or seeing nothing: don't swim over the sand. Almost nothing lives there. The life is at the edge, where the sand gives way to rock and to the posidonia meadow. Position yourself at the rocky ends of the cove, swim parallel to the shore, and the seabed fills up: sea bream, salema, damselfish, the odd octopus among the rocks.
What to bring:
- A mask and snorkel that fit well. The resort boutique sells them, in case you forget yours.
- Water shoes. Not optional: there's rock and sea urchins, and a scrape mid-morning ends the swim.
- A rash vest or sunscreen. While snorkelling, your back takes the sun for a good while without you noticing.
Snorkelling with kids: it works very well, with three conditions. A calm sea (if you see white foam, another day). Start them in waist-deep water, until they breathe through the snorkel without stress. And an adult nearby, always: the snorkel gives a false sense of security and they get distracted looking down. Ten minutes of practice by the shore save an hour of nerves.
Kayaking and paddleboarding: included in your stay
If you stay at the resort, kayaking and paddleboarding are included in your stay. The paddleboard is there for a calm morning on flat water. And the kayak works as a guided outing, once or twice a week: it's the way to explore the cove and the neighbouring coast from the water, with the cliffs all around. One of those things kids remember from a summer.
The little ones, always with a life jacket and an adult alongside.
Try-dive: going a little deeper
If snorkelling leaves you wanting more and you'd like to see what's further down —the sea fans, the walls, the groupers—, the natural next step is a try-dive: a first dive with an instructor, no certification required.
It takes place at the Montjoi Diving Center, right on the beach, so there's no driving anywhere in your wetsuit. The try-dive from the beach for resort guests costs €60 (for non-guests, on request). It's run from around age 14.
And if you want to go further, the centre delivers official certifications from the main agencies —FECDAS, SSI, PADI, SDI/TDI and the French federation FFESSM— and organises boat trips to the best dive sites in the area.
All the information on diving in Cala Montjoi: courses, try-dives and dive sites.
Before you get in the water: the park's rules
You're in a marine reserve. Look, don't touch: don't take or disturb any wildlife or plants, don't collect shells or turn over stones. And protect yourself from the sun with reef-safe cream. Looking after this seabed is what keeps it worth putting your head under.
If you're travelling as a family, the sea is only part of the plan: here's a whole week in Cala Montjoi with kids, without the car.
The sea is a step away, every day of your stay → See accommodation in Cala Montjoi
Frequently asked questions
Can you snorkel in Cala Montjoi?
Yes, straight from the beach and with no course or booking needed. All you need is a mask, a snorkel and to be able to swim. The seabed drops off quickly near the shore, so you don't have to swim far to see life.
Does the resort rent snorkelling gear?
There's no rental or organised snorkelling outings: guests bring their own gear. The resort boutique sells masks and snorkels.
Is there a charge for kayaking and paddleboarding?
Not for resort guests: they're included in the stay. The paddleboard is available for relaxed use, and the kayak runs as a guided outing once or twice a week.
What's the minimum age for a try-dive?
In Cala Montjoi try-dives are run from around age 14. Snorkelling, on the other hand, has no minimum age: it depends on the child being able to swim and feel comfortable in the water.
How much does a try-dive cost?
For resort guests, the try-dive from the beach costs €60. For non-guests, on request at the diving centre.
Do you need to know how to dive to go snorkelling?
No. Snorkelling is a surface activity: you float and breathe through the snorkel. No training required.
