REVIEW · GIRONA
Explore Cap Norfeu and the Secret Cave: An Underwater World
Book on Viator →Operated by Els Blaus de Roses · Bookable on Viator
Capes, caves, and the sea doing the talking. This 2-hour cruise is interesting because you get big Cap de Creus viewpoints and a unique underwater-style look at Cala Murtra’s seabed, with live commentary to keep you oriented the whole time. One thing to plan around: entry into the Tamariu cave depends on weather, so your itinerary has a built-in wild-card.
I like that the route is paced like a sightseeing drive, not a rushed checkbox. You’ll cruise past small coves in the Cap de Creus Nature Park, see the rock formation called The Cat at Cap Norfeu, and (weather permitting) explore the “secret cave” area near Tamariu before continuing toward Cala Jóncols.
In This Review
- Key things that make this trip worth your time
- How This Cap Norfeu Boat Ride Really Plays Out
- Bay of Roses to Cap de Creus coves: the cruise that warms you up
- Cala Murtra’s seabed view: the moment that feels different
- Cala Montjoi and El Bulli: a famous name, seen in passing
- Cap Norfeu and The Cat: when the rock does the storytelling
- Tamariu cave and the “secret” part: weather decides your big payoff
- Cala Jóncols: rounding out the coastline loop
- What’s included (and what you’ll likely spend extra on)
- Price and value: why $30.17 can make sense here
- Who this tour fits best
- Practical tips so you have a better day on the water
- Should you book Cap Norfeu and the Secret Cave?
- FAQ
- How long is the Cap Norfeu and Secret Cave boat trip?
- How much does the tour cost per person?
- Are there morning and afternoon departures?
- Is the tour conducted in English?
- What is included in the price?
- Does the tour enter the Tamariu cave?
- How many people can be on the tour at most?
- Is the experience weather-dependent?
- What’s the cancellation policy?
Key things that make this trip worth your time

- Submarine-style viewing at Cala Murtra: you’re not just looking out; you’re seeing the seabed.
- Cap de Creus Nature Park scenery: coves, points, and coastline views that feel postcard-clean.
- Cap Norfeu’s The Cat rock: a natural shape that’s easy to spot and fun to photograph.
- Tamariu cave only if conditions allow: plan for either cave time or great coastline time.
- Friendly, attentive crew touches: a chilled moscatel during the cruise and optional photo service at €5.
How This Cap Norfeu Boat Ride Really Plays Out
This is a straightforward boat trip out of the Girona area, run by Els Blaus de Roses. Expect a 2-hour outing with a choice of morning or afternoon departures, and a fairly big max group size of 200 travelers. That cap matters: it’s large enough to have energy, but not so massive that you lose the narrative from the guide.
The tour includes the boat ride and leans heavily on what you can see from the water. The guide’s live commentary is your anchor. If you like knowing what you’re looking at—names, formations, and why the coastline is special—this format works.
One practical note: this experience requires good weather. If conditions aren’t right, you’ll either get a different date or a full refund. That’s not a small detail here; it affects whether you get the cave stop.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Girona.
Bay of Roses to Cap de Creus coves: the cruise that warms you up

Early in the ride, you start with the Bay of Roses. The coastline opens up, and the boat gives you a sense of scale: cliffs, coves, and the way the sea slices the land. Then you head along the Cap de Creus Nature Park section, passing by smaller coves that look calm from the water and dramatic up close.
You’ll also pass Punta Falconera and get your first strong “sea views first, questions later” moment. This is the part of the tour that makes you understand why the whole region is protected and photographed so often. Even if you’ve been to other Mediterranean coasts, Cap de Creus has a distinct ruggedness that reads well from the boat.
What I like about this opening stretch is the pacing. You’re not forced to stare at one spot. Instead, you glide from viewpoint to viewpoint, and the commentary helps you connect each cove and point to the bigger story of the coast.
Cala Murtra’s seabed view: the moment that feels different

The tour’s signature “how is this possible” stop is the submarine view of the Cala Murtra seabed. This isn’t just sightseeing from the top. The idea is that you can see down toward the seabed in a way that normal coastal viewpoints don’t give you.
Why that matters: it changes how you experience the water. You stop thinking of the sea as a surface and start noticing it as a place with texture—rocks, depths, and marine life patterns that your eyes would miss from land.
For photo lovers, this is also the section where you can get images that don’t look like every other coastline shot. If you’re the kind of person who likes photos with a story behind them, this stop gives you one.
Tip: if you want sharp photos, hold your phone or camera steady and be ready when the boat lines up for the best view. With any moving platform, the best shot is usually the one you’re prepared for, not the one you chase.
Cala Montjoi and El Bulli: a famous name, seen in passing

As you continue, you reach Cala Montjoi. This is where the route includes a pop of famous-world connection: you’ll see El Bulli, associated with chef Ferran Adrià.
To be clear, this is not a museum stop. You’re not going ashore. You’re seeing the building and coastal context from the water as you travel along. That makes it more like a scenic “blink-and-you’ll-remember-it” sighting than a deep dive.
Still, it’s a nice contrast. It reminds you that even the most wild-feeling coastline has layers—culture, dining history, and modern attention—woven into it.
If you’re a food history fan, it adds a talking point for later. If you’re not, it doesn’t slow the tour down. Either way, it’s a short, satisfying moment that keeps the cruise feeling varied.
Cap Norfeu and The Cat: when the rock does the storytelling

Next comes Cap Norfeu, and the headline there is the rock formation nicknamed The Cat, named for its shape. This is the kind of natural landmark that actually works better when you see it from the sea. From water level, the silhouette reads fast, and you get the sense of how the coastline has been shaped by time and waves.
This stop is also where the scenery turns more dramatic. The cliffs and protruding rocks give you stronger angles and higher-contrast photos. You’ll likely find yourself pausing—at least mentally—to figure out which part looks like a cat’s profile.
The best strategy here is simple: don’t lock your camera on one angle. Take a few from different positions as the boat approaches and adjusts. Boats often shift slightly to give everyone a good look, and those tiny changes can make your final photo much better.
Tamariu cave and the “secret” part: weather decides your big payoff

The tour’s “secret cave” appeal is tied to an actual stop near Tamariu. If the weather permits, the boat enters the Tamariu cave. That’s the main reason this experience can feel extra special—when conditions line up, you get more than views. You get a change in environment.
Cave time is not guaranteed, though. Because the activity requires good weather, you should treat cave entry as a bonus, not the entire plan. If it doesn’t happen, you’ll still cruise through the same region with strong sights, including the cap and coves that make Cap de Creus worth the trip.
How to prepare mentally: wear layers and keep your phone protected. Even when the sea is calm, moving into a cave-like area can feel cooler and darker, and you’ll want to keep your gear comfortable.
If you’re traveling with kids, this is often the stop that gets the most immediate “wow” reaction. But even adults who expect just sightseeing usually appreciate the novelty of being inside a coastal rock feature rather than only looking at it.
Cala Jóncols: rounding out the coastline loop

After Cap Norfeu and the cave attempt (weather dependent), the route continues toward the Bay of Cala Jóncols. This is where the cruise returns to a more classic coastline glide: coves, open stretches, and the sense that you’re riding along the edge of a protected coastline.
This portion helps you end with variety. Instead of returning the way you came, the route keeps moving and keeps the coast changing behind you.
If you like ending tours with a “last good view” rather than a quiet fade-out, Cala Jóncols is one of those likely candidates. You’ll be tired enough to appreciate the ride, but not so tired you just want it over.
What’s included (and what you’ll likely spend extra on)

This experience includes the boat trip. That’s it for core inclusions. Everything else is about optional extras and onboard add-ons.
Two small things show up in the experience style:
- There’s often a mid-cruise chilled glass of moscatel offered as a nice touch.
- The crew can take photos for you during the cruise and sell prints for €5. If you want those memories as physical copies, it’s an easy decision while you’re on board.
If you’re trying to keep costs tight, you can easily skip the photo prints. The real value is the views and the seabed viewing—things you can’t replicate alone without planning a separate boat or snorkeling-like setup.
Price and value: why $30.17 can make sense here
At $30.17 per person for roughly 2 hours, the key value question is whether you’re getting more than simple coastline sightseeing. In this case, you are.
You’re not only cruising along Cap de Creus. You’re also getting:
- a submarine-style look at Cala Murtra’s seabed,
- the landmark moment at Cap Norfeu and The Cat,
- and, on suitable days, a Tamariu cave entry.
That mix of viewpoint + underwater-style viewing is the difference between a short scenic cruise and a more memorable experience. You’d usually need more time (and often more planning) to add a “see below the surface” component to a coastal day.
The weather dependency is the tradeoff. But it’s also handled by the tour plan: if the cave or full route can’t run, you’re offered a different date or refund rather than losing your money and your time completely.
Who this tour fits best
This is a strong match if you want:
- big scenery without long travel stress,
- a tour that gives you names and context through live commentary,
- and something a little different from standard “sit and watch the coast.”
It’s also family-friendly in the sense that you spend most of the time sitting and looking, and the cave (when it happens) gives kids a clear storyline: boat ride → rock formation → cave surprise.
If you’re someone who hates waiting for weather windows or hates uncertainty, you’ll need to accept that cave entry is conditional. Still, you’ll be on a cruise with plenty of worthwhile visuals even without the cave.
Practical tips so you have a better day on the water
- Bring a light layer. Even in warm months, sea air and cave shade can cool you down.
- Keep your phone secure. If you’re photographing the seabed viewing, you’ll likely want quick access and stable handling.
- For photos at Cap Norfeu and The Cat, shoot in short bursts while the boat lines up. One perfect second beats chasing perfect angles.
- If you’re interested in the onboard photos, decide while you’re there rather than trying to remember later. €5 per print is straightforward, but it adds up if you buy many.
And one more small thing: arrive with a relaxed mindset. This tour is timed to the coastline’s rhythms, not to your personal schedule. When you go with the flow, it’s an easy win.
Should you book Cap Norfeu and the Secret Cave?
I’d book it if you want a 2-hour Cap de Creus experience that includes more than plain coast views. The underwater-style look at Cala Murtra’s seabed is the big reason, and Cap Norfeu with The Cat is the kind of landmark you’ll actually remember afterward.
I’d hesitate only if your travel window is tight and you can’t afford weather-related changes. Since the cave depends on conditions, choose your day with a flexible plan, or accept that you might get the coastline highlights without the cave entry.
If you’re staying near Girona and you want something genuinely scenic, slightly unusual, and easy to do in a single morning or afternoon, this one makes solid sense.
FAQ
How long is the Cap Norfeu and Secret Cave boat trip?
The tour lasts about 2 hours.
How much does the tour cost per person?
The listed price is $30.17 per person.
Are there morning and afternoon departures?
Yes. You can choose either a morning or an afternoon departure.
Is the tour conducted in English?
Yes, it’s offered in English.
What is included in the price?
The boat trip is included.
Does the tour enter the Tamariu cave?
It depends on the weather. If conditions allow, the boat enters the Tamariu cave.
How many people can be on the tour at most?
The tour has a maximum of 200 travelers.
Is the experience weather-dependent?
Yes. It requires good weather, and if it’s canceled for poor weather you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
What’s the cancellation policy?
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount you paid is not refunded.
























