How long should I spend on Tabarca?

A standard day trip is 5–6 hours (e.g. 11:00 ferry out, 17:00 return). That's enough for a swim, a long lunch and a wander round the walls. Snorkellers may want a full day with two swims and a sunset return.

Is Tabarca good for kids?

Excellent. The main beach is shallow and sheltered, there are no cars, and the boat ride is short. Bring snorkel kit — even small children see fish at the village beach.

When is the best time to visit?

June and September — warm sea, full ferry service, none of the August crowds. October has fewer boats but still pleasant swimming.

Can I swim with a guide / dive?

Yes — Tabarca is one of Spain's top dive sites; PADI operators in Santa Pola and Alicante run daily boats. Snorkel tours run from the island itself in summer.

Is there a restaurant booking recommended?

Yes for summer Saturdays and bank holidays. Casa Gloria, La Almadraba and Restaurante Loli are the classic caldero addresses; weekday lunches usually walk-in.

When is the best time to visit the Costa Blanca?

May, June, September and October.

Recommended for inland trips and beach-hopping.

Is the Costa Blanca family-friendly?

Yes — shallow beaches and family-orientated towns.

Day trip

Tabarca Island — Spain's First Marine Reserve

A 22-minute boat ride from Santa Pola brings you to the Mediterranean's smallest inhabited island — a fortified 18th-century village of 60 permanent residents, ringed by Spain's oldest marine reserve (declared 1986). Crystal water, grilled fish, a tiny old town, no cars and only about 1.8 km long: the perfect day trip from Alicante or Torrevieja.

Last updated 1 June 2026

What to do on the island

✦Snorkel the marine reserve — visibility often 15+ metres; grouper, octopus, posidonia meadows.
✦Walk the village walls — 18th-century Vauban-style fortifications still intact on three sides.
✦Beach hop — the central Playa de Tabarca (sandy, sheltered) and rocky coves at the eastern tip.
✦Lunch on caldero — the island's classic two-course fisherman's rice (broth first, then rice).
✦Visit the small Museo Nueva Tabarca — history of the Genoese settlers brought here in 1768.

Ferries — schedules & prices

From	Crossing	Frequency (summer)	Frequency (winter)	Return adult
Santa Pola	22 min	Hourly 09:00–19:00	Weekends only	€16
Alicante port	60 min	11:00 & return 16:30	Suspended	€22
Torrevieja	75 min	Tue/Thu/Sat 10:00	Suspended	€25
Benidorm	90 min (catamaran)	Selected dates	Suspended	€30

Book ahead in summer

July–August ferries sell out — book online the night before. The first sailing is calmest; the last return is often the busiest of the day.

Tips

✦Bring water shoes — many of the best coves are rocky.
✦Sunscreen and a hat — shade is limited away from the village.
✦No ATM on the island — bring cash for small bars and ice cream (cards work in main restaurants).
✦Avoid August Saturdays — the island gets genuinely crowded.
✦Stay overnight? Yes — a handful of small guesthouses (Boutique Hotel Isla de Tabarca) offer an extraordinary post-ferry calm.

Diving

Marine reserves and dive operators.

Day trips overview

Plan a full week of excursions.

Historic towns

Genoese walled villages and heritage centres.

Museums

Maritime and archaeology museums on the mainland.

Beaches

Other Blue Flag beaches nearby.

Family

Family-friendly day trips.