The experience of Tabarca Island is an integral adventure for everybody traveling to Costa Blanca. This island is part of the Valencian Community and is the simplest inhabited island in the area. It faces the metropolis of Alicante and spans 11 rectangular kilometers.
Tabarca Island, as soon as a haven for Berber pirates, is likewise referred to as the "Pirate Island" because the pirates hid their ships here earlier than attacking coastal towns.
This flat and arid island attracts nature fans, as well as scuba diving and seabird fanatics. Since 1986, the Tabarca Nature Area has explicitly been a Mediterranean marine nature reserve renowned for its clean waters (over 1,400 hectares of crystal-clear water), seabeds, and abundant plants and fauna.
Map of Tabarca Island
| Name | Tabarca Island, Nueva Tabarca (Spanish: Isla Plana) |
| Country | Spain |
| Province | Alicante |
| Coordinates | 38°09′59″N 0°28′56″W |
| Area | 0.3 km2 (30 hectares) |
| Time zone | UTC +1 |
| Population | 68 |
| Airport | Heliport Illa de Tabarca |
History of Tabarca Island
Tabarca Island's coast was once a refuge for Barbary pirates. In the 18th century, King Charles III ordered the fortification of a town. Even today, the partitions continue to be in actual circumstances and are indexed as historical and cultural landmarks.
The walls surrounding the metropolis in the middle of Tabarca had been declared a Historical-Artistic Site and a Cultural Asset in 1964. We recommend not missing the threat of going to the Iglesia de San Pedro y San Pablo.
The waters of Tabarca boasted wealthy biodiversity and had been declared a marine reserve in 1986. It is a natural marine paradise with clear waters and astonishing plants and fauna, delighting diving lovers.
How to Get to Tabarca Island
The most common island tours usually last around a day, and you can easily reach Tabarca Island by boat from the ports of Alicante, Santa Pola, Guardamar, Dénia, Torrevieja, or Benidorm.
From Alicante, the boat ride takes approximately 50 minutes. From Santa Pola, the journey takes 15 minutes. From Guardamar del Segura, the trip by car takes about 55 minutes. From Benidorm, it takes 1 hour and 15 minutes.
There are many ways to reach Tabarca that are suitable for various preferences. From taking a cruise to the island to embarking on an adventure to simply traveling by sailboat or catamaran, we can complete the trip within a few hours. Check Viator or GetYourGuide for Tabarca Tours & Activities.
Lastly, if you wish to take a direct flight to Alicante, you can depart from Paris Beauvais Airport, Paris Orly Airport, Nantes Airport, or Bordeaux Airport. Use flight comparison platforms like Skyscanner to find the best fares for your trip.
10 Things to Do on Tabarca Island
1. Tabarca Village
Did you disembark to visit Tabarca Island, one of the most famous Mediterranean islands at the Costa Blanca? Before swimming inside the clean, emerald waters, take a second to enjoy the maritime ecosystem of the shielding village positioned on the island's western side.
You can recognize its three major gates: the San Rafael Gate (east), the San Gabriel Gate (west), and the San Miguel Gate (from which you can see Alicante). Additionally, you may walk through the picturesque fishermen's homes. The partitions that still surround the old metropolis have been declared a historic and artistic complex, as well as an asset of cultural price.
2. Iglesia de San Pedro y San Pablo
The Church of San Pedro and San Pablo is well worth a visit. Inspired by the Baroque style, it was built on the site of an old chapel and was blessed in 1770.
This structure features a single nave and side chapels. Adjacent to it, a building was constructed to house priests and a school.
3. Nueva Tabarca Museum
Facing the seashore, you could go to the Nueva Tabarca Museum, which is located within the Almadraba construction. This structure soon served as a warehouse for tuna fishing. In this museum, you'll learn about the studies of the island's fishing population, in addition to the island's natural wealth and historic history.
4. Torre de Sant Josep
During your excursion of Tabarca Island, do now not leave out the Torre de Sant Josep. Located in the east part of the island, it served as a countrywide jail in the 19th century. This construction functions in a truncated pyramid shape and a square base, making it a fascinating site to find out about!
5. Far de Tabarca
Tabarca Island also has a lighthouse located at the eastern end, which is near Torre de Sant Josep. This substantial structure was put into operation in 1854 and once served as a school for lighthouse keepers. Now restored, it houses a biological laboratory that functions as the technical base for the Tabarca Island Marine Reserve.
6. Cova del Llop Marí
If you enjoy snorkeling, the 100-meter-long Llop Mari Cave is a great place to explore during your visit to Tabarca Island. You can reach it by kayak, paddleboard, or small boat. Legend has it that a sea monster with giant teeth rests there during the day and comes out at night to scare the island's residents.
7. Tabarca Beaches
Many tourists come to visit the seashores and bays of Tabarca Island. Don't assume to experience absolutely calm sunbathing on the lengthy, idyllic seashores. In fact, the principal seaside on the island, only a few steps from the pier, may be small and crowded in the summer, which may disappoint you.
If you plan to discover the seashores of Tabarca Island, it is recommended to choose the low season or slightly far from the primary regions. There are many small coves where you can effortlessly discover a secluded spot for quiet swimming. Isla Plana has a seashore shaped like a small bay that is 800 meters long and has exceptional sand and warm seawater.
8. Scuba Diving
If you revel in snorkeling or scuba diving, you will be delighted. In fact, Tabarca Island boasts crystal-clear waters, making it an excellent region to stare upon the seabed and respect its specific vegetation and fauna.
Put on your diving masks and take a look at standard plant paperwork deep in the rocks, astounding starfish, and plenty of fish together with grouper, sea bream, or lobsters.
You may encounter the endangered crimson sea turtle. If you are into water activities, why not discover Tabarca Island by using a SUP?
Tabarca Snorkeling: We have selected for you the best two offers:
Here are some snorkeling tips for you:
- Avoid entering the water on overcast days or when there are waves or strong currents.
- Always carry a buoyancy aid. It not only marks our position but can also help us float if needed.
- Be mindful of boats, especially during the summer.
- Wearing a flotation vest is recommended.
- We must respect plants and animals, no matter how insignificant they may seem to us.
- If we see plastic, we should do our best to remove it to prevent animals from ingesting it.
- Avoid touching or disturbing species, including refraining from bothering octopuses or removing starfish from the water.
- Do not take anything living from the bottom. If we want a souvenir, it's best to take photos.
9. Take A Cruise
Touring Tabarca Island also means enjoying its coastline! So, missing out on the magnificent views that can only be seen by boat would be a shame! Therefore, you can opt to take a short trip on the open sea with your choice of vessel, with or without a captain.
10. Sampling the Island's Specialty Dishes
During your excursion on Tabarca Island, make sure to stop by a restaurant within the village and savor conventional seafood or Spanish seafood paella.
Before leaving the island, make sure to sit down on a terrace and taste the famous "Caldéro Tabarquino." This typical dish of Tabarca Island is a stew of fish, potatoes, rice, and garlic aioli. It's a culinary discovery now that is not to be overlooked!
For folks who experience it, you can have rice with garlic aioli on the side of cooked fish and vast slices of potatoes. The taste? Absolutely magnificent. If you are visiting the island and love seafood, then you should try this dish before leaving.
Where to Stay on Tabarca Island
Although the island is small and can be explored in a day, you may also choose to stay for a few nights to enjoy swimming and scuba diving.
There are several hotels and vacation rentals on the island. To arrange your accommodation in Tabarca, feel free to visit Agoda and Booking.com to find the perfect place for your vacation.
- Hotel Santacreu features modern interior decoration, air-conditioned rooms, and WiFi access. They also offer a continental breakfast.
- Hostal Masin offers comfortable and bright rooms, with some rooms offering sea views. It provides good value for money.
