Tabarca island
- Driving time
- About 10 minutes by car
- Area
- Alicante
- Sight
Tabarca is a small inhabited island off the coast of Santa Pola, surrounded by a marine reserve. Boats leave from Torrevieja harbour, which is about a 10 minute drive from Lago Rosa Apartment.
It is not long: under two kilometres, and about 400 metres at its widest. That makes it easy to walk in a day. The village exists because Charles III had the island fortified from 1760 and settled it with Genoese sailors who had been rescued from Tabarka in Tunisia. The gateways in the town wall still stand, and the church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul was finished in 1779.
Around the island lies Spain's oldest marine reserve, created in 1986 and covering more than 1,700 hectares. The water is clear and the sea life abundant, so divers are fond of it. A path follows the coast, where you can watch seabirds.
Our tip: the glass-bottom boat
From Torrevieja, Marítimas Torrevieja sails from Paseo del Mar, including on glass-bottom boats, so you can look at the seabed on the way. For current times, see maritimastorrevieja.es.
Come prepared
Bring swimming things, a cap and water. Shade is scarce on such a flat island, especially in the middle of the day.
From other harbours
Boats also run from Santa Pola and Alicante, useful if you are heading that way anyway.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Tabarca?
By boat from Torrevieja, Santa Pola or Alicante. More boats run in summer than during the rest of the year.
How long is the crossing from Torrevieja?
The operator and the regional tourist board say about an hour. Check what applies to your boat when you book.
Can you swim there?
Yes, swimming is part of a day on Tabarca. Do keep to the rules of the reserve.
