Level: Free shore access This spot have a free shore access: you can go snorkeling there freely and without having to book a tour or pay an entrance fee.
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Last updated on May 2, 2021
Cala Montjoi is located on the north of Costa Brava, at the heart of Cap de Creus Natural Park. This beautiful and well sheltered rocky creek, with waters protected from the waves, is a good snorkeling option in the area. In its crystal water you can spot a beautiful variety of Mediterranean fish, especially sea bream, wrasse and shoals of salema.
Cala Montjoi is a little cove located between Roses and Cadaqués, on the north of Costa Brava. It is at the heart of Cap de Creus Natural Park. From Roses, you can reach Cala Montjoi by car or taxi (5km), but also by foot, by taking the enjoyable walkway (Camí de Ronda) along the coastline (2.5km).
You can get into the water from one of the two extremities of the beach, according to the area you want to cover.
Cala Montjoi is a very sunken rocky creek, bordered by small cliffs. The most interesting areas for snorkeling are located on either side of the beach, along the rocks. The central part of the bay, with sandy seabeds, has less underwater life.
With respect to the western area (area 1 on the map), we especially recommend the surroundings of the rocky tip which separates Cala Montjoi from Cala Calís. Here you can admire rocky seabeds covered by seaweed, with ornate wrasse going back and forth (↕1-3m). Some Posidonia meadows stretch nearby, attracting small schools of salema and many two-banded seabream.
On the eastern area (area 2 on the map), the seabed is mainly made of screes interrupted by patches of Posidonia, populated by the species common to rocky seabeds of Mediterranean shallow waters (↕1-3m).
The painted comber and various wrasses species are the easiest to spot here. With a little luck, you might come across an octopus or a cuttlefish hunting on the rocks (the latter is best observed in spring, during the breeding season).
Cala Montjoi is pretty deep and, therefore, boats might come quite close to the beach. Observe the swimming areas and notify your presence using a diving flag if you swim outside.
There are several bars and restaurants around Cala Montjoi. Cala Montjoi Resort & Bungalows holiday village, located in front of the beach, is the only accommodation available in close proximity to the spot.
These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
