55a Travesía Illes Medes - Estartit

Legend suggests that the waters surrounding the Medes Islands were once a hunting ground for Barbary pirates, who relied on the complex currents to launch raids against the mainland. Today, as you line up for the 55th edition of this historic crossing, the only thing you will be hunting for is your pace towards the port of L'Estartit. The race, scheduled for June 28, 2026, forces you to navigate the same channels that local coastal defenses were built to monitor throughout the 16th and 18th centuries. While you pull through the water, you might spot the rugged remnants of the Torre Morratxa or the Torre Begura, silent stone sentinels that once guarded the coast against those very same maritime threats.

The water and the skyline

As you leave the protected marine reserve of the Medes Islands, look up to find your bearings. Perched on the limestone cliffs of the Montgrí Massif, the Montgrí Castle stands as a stark, unfinished silhouette against the sky. Its four cylindrical towers were constructed between 1294 and 1301 to keep a watchful eye on the Counts of Empúries, and they remain the most distinct visual anchor for any swimmer heading back to the mainland. The water here feels heavy with history, marked by the proximity of the Ter river mouth—a zone known locally as 'la Gola'—which contributes to the fine sand of the Estartit beaches. Those who appreciate the long-distance challenges of the region might also consider the upcoming 10th OncoSwim, which navigates these same coastal waters, or join the intensity of the MARNATON eDreams Begur just weeks before.

Race logistics

The event offers two distinct formats: 'La Clàssica' at 2km and 'La Brava' at 3.5km. The latter is a demanding route that tests your endurance against the shifting conditions of the Balearic Sea. The race is organized by the Club Nàutic Estartit and Radikal Swim, ensuring high-level logistical support, including water safety that tracks your progress from the islands to the harbor. The area’s history is far from peaceful; the banks of the Ter river nearby were the site of the 1694 Battle of Torroella, where French forces clashed in a pivotal moment of the Nine Years' War. Swimming across this basin is a reminder of the strategic importance this coastline held for centuries. Whether you are aiming for a personal record or simply navigating the unique, sediment-rich waters of the Medes archipelago, the arrival at the port of L'Estartit marks the end of a journey that connects the deep blue of the reserve to the heartbeat of the Catalan shore.

Out by boat, back by water

The crossing has been part of the Club Nàutic Estartit's history since 1967, and its shape is its signature: a boat carries the field out to the Medes Islands, and the swimmers return to L'Estartit through the marine reserve's waters. After a seven-year halt it returned in 2025 as the fifty-fourth edition, organised with Radikal Swim over two courses.