Isla de Tabarca, Alicante

To reach Tabarca island you can take a boat from Alicante port (about 1 h) but also from Santa Pola port, which is closer.
The island is not big: less than 2 km long and about 400 m wide. It has been a refuge for pirates and a prison.
Today there is a small fishing village in the island. Most people go for one day, but there is a hotel for those who want a short quiet vacation. In the restaurants near the beach you can try a caldero, a typical dish based on rice and fish.
The waters around Tabarca are a good place for submarinisme due to the diversity of flora and fauna.

This is the only inhabited in the Community of Valencia. It is located at a distance of 11 nautical miles from the city of Alicante. The islands Lebante Beach has a lenght of 250m and is near the villige which is a historic and artistic monument. It can be reached very easy from the marina harbour of Alicante several times a day.

Tabarca is a little island outside of Santa Pola, Alicante, which obviously is a tourist-island more than anything, but even with the island full of turists (like me and the friends with whom I went) the island is magical and still seems "untouched" in some unexplainable way.

To get to Tabarca it is possible to sail from Alicante or from Santa Pola. We sailed from Santa Pola which is a trip of about 25 minutes, and about 12 Euro (return trip). There are boats each hour - only be aware that the last one leaves Tabarca around 18-30-19h in the afternoon.

Tabarca is famous for its corrals and it is a perfect spot for diving, and also have a beautiful sandy beach for swimming!

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A visit to the Isla de Tabarca is practically a must-dotrip for anyone visiting the Costa Blanca. It is the only inhabited island in the Region of Valencia and is located opposite the city of Alicante, 11 nautical miles offshore and near the Santa Pola headland. In fact, it's more than just an island: it's a small archipelago that comprises the islets of La Cantera, La Galera and La Nao as well as the Isla de Tabarca itself. It is approximately 1,800 metres long and measures some 400 metres across at its widest point.

In the past, its shores were a refuge for Berber pirates and, in the 18th century, King Carlos III ordered the island to be fortified and a town built, in which to house several families of Genoese fishermen who were being held prisoner in the Tunisian city of Tabarka.
The walls surrounding the town have been officially declared a Historical and Artistic Site and an Asset of Cultural Interest.

The island's waters have been officially declared a Mediterranean Marine Reserve for their excellent quality and for the biodiversity of their flora and fauna.

A visit to the island usually lasts one day. There are numerous departure times from the port of Alicante, although the regularity of these depends upon the time of year. The boat ride is comfortable and lasts for around one hour. The island can also be reached from Santa Pola, Guardamar, Torrevieja and Benidorm.

Once on the island, visitors can enjoy the coves and beaches with their crystal-clear waters and a picturesque fishing port with excellent eateries offering the opportunity to try the traditional "caldero", the island's typical dish.

We recommend a stroll through the town and a visit to the island's museum.
Visitors can now even enjoy an overnight stay on the island, thanks to the recent opening of accommodation.

The boat trip to the Tabarca Island can be comfortably made from Alicante, Santa Pola, Guardamar and Benidorm.

Timetables: At Easter and over the summer season, there are several departures every day of the week.
Outside of the summer season, there is a return trip on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Approximate journey time: 1 hour.