Are Terra Natura tickets cheaper online?

Yes — buying on the official website is typically €4–€7 cheaper per person than at the gate, and you skip the ticket queue. Family packages (2 adults + 2 kids) save another 10%.

Can you swim with dolphins on the Costa Blanca?

Mundomar offers paid dolphin interaction sessions. Ethically the WWF and most marine biologists now advise against captive dolphin programmes; wild-watching catamarans are the recommended alternative.

How do you get to Tabarca Island with kids?

Boats from Santa Pola harbour, every 1–2 hours in summer (45 min crossing). The Alicante and Torrevieja boats take longer but offer more deck space. Buy round-trip tickets at the kiosk — €18–€25 adults, half price under-12.

Are there safe horse-riding options for first-timers?

Yes — Rancho Tjarko in Polop runs led pony rides for under-7s and beginners' trail rides for everyone else. Helmets included; book ahead in school holidays.

When can we see flamingos at La Mata?

Year-round, with the biggest flocks (often 4,000+ birds) from August to February. Early morning gives the best light and the calmest birds. The visitor centre at La Mata lagoon hands out free trail maps.

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.

Family

Animal Encounters for Families on the Costa Blanca

Dolphin-spotting catamarans, the Terra Natura zoo, working horse riding centres, donkey sanctuaries and the flamingo lagoons of Santa Pola — every animal experience worth a family day on the Costa Blanca.

Last updated 1 June 2026

Top animal experiences

Experience	Where	Best for ages
Terra Natura zoo	Benidorm	All ages — best 4–12
Mundomar marine park	Benidorm	All ages — best 3–10
Dolphin-spotting catamaran	Dénia, Calpe, Alicante	5+
Río Safari Elche	Elche	All ages, especially under-7s
Tabarca Island snorkelling	Boat from Santa Pola	6+
Flamingo lagoons walk	Santa Pola salt flats	All ages
Donkey sanctuary (El Refugio del Burrito)	Albatera	All ages
Horse riding — Rancho Tjarko	Polop	6+

Terra Natura & Mundomar — the Benidorm pairing

Terra Natura is the headline zoo of the Costa Blanca — a 320,000 m² park organised by continent, with elephants, white tigers, jaguars, gibbons and a serious primate rescue programme. The 'Aqua Natura' water park section opens June–September. Allow a full day; arrive at opening to beat the heat and the queues. Combined tickets with Mundomar (the marine animal park next door, with dolphins, sea lions and penguins) save around 25%.

Both parks have shaded picnic areas and stroller hire. Avoid the dolphin show if you have animal-welfare concerns — modern marine science is increasingly critical of show cetaceans, even in well-run parks like Mundomar.

Wild animal experiences (ethical alternatives)

✦Dolphin-watching catamarans from Dénia or Calpe — bottlenose and striped dolphins are common; some operators carry marine biologists. Allow 3–4 hours.
✦Tabarca Island snorkelling — Spain's first marine reserve; octopus, bream and starfish in clear shallow water. Boat departs Santa Pola hourly in summer.
✦Santa Pola salt-flat flamingo walk — 6 km flat trail with watchtowers; flamingo flocks of 2,000+ from August to February.
✦Calpe Ifach peregrine and Audouin's gull colony — bring binoculars; the cliff face hosts nesting raptors and one of the largest Audouin's gull colonies in the western Med.
✦Lagunas de la Mata (Torrevieja) flamingo lagoons — pink lakes plus bird hides.

Working horse / donkey centres

Several stables in the Polop / Callosa hills offer pony rides for under-7s and proper trail riding for older kids and adults. Rancho Tjarko (Polop) and Bevo Naturpark (Tárbena) are the best-known. Trail rides last 1–3 hours, cost €25–€50/person, and run year-round.

The El Refugio del Burrito donkey sanctuary in Albatera (60 min south of Alicante) is run by The Donkey Sanctuary (UK charity). Free entry, donations welcome, brilliant for animal-loving kids. Open Wednesday and Saturday.

Heat and timing rules for animal days out

✦Reserve dolphin trips at least 48 h ahead in July–August.
✦Terra Natura and Mundomar both publish 'crowd calendars' on their websites — Tuesday and Thursday are usually quietest.
✦Tabarca Island has no shade away from the village — bring tents, hats, water.
✦Always check the donkey sanctuary opening days before driving south — it's a long round trip.

Plan around the heat

From mid-June to mid-September, all outdoor animal parks become uncomfortable from noon to 5pm. Arrive at opening (usually 10am) or buy a 'late entry' ticket from 4pm. The dolphin-spotting boats run morning and afternoon — morning is calmer water and better visibility.

Family activities

All Costa Blanca family activities in one place.

Theme parks

Terra Mítica, Aqualandia and the big rides.

Water parks

Best summer water parks for kids.

Animals

The original cluster page.

Nature parks

Where to spot wildlife in the wild.

Day trip — Tabarca

Spain's first marine reserve.