Tabarca Island

Tabarca (Isla Tabarca) is a small inhabited islet off the coast of Alicante in Spain, located near Santa Pola in the Valencian Community. It is known for a compact fortified village, a sheltered harbour and protected coastal waters.

The island’s settlement is contained within old defensive walls and includes a small port, a central church and a grid of narrow streets. The surrounding sea area is a designated marine reserve that attracts swimmers, snorkelers and divers because of clear water and rich marine life.

Historically the island has been fortified and repopulated at various times; today it functions primarily as a seasonal tourism destination with a small resident population and day-trip visitors in summer. Access is by passenger boats from the nearby mainland ferry points.

Geographically Tabarca lies a short distance off the Alicante coast, near the town of Santa Pola, and is one of the better-known small islands on Spain’s Costa Blanca.

• Frequent boat connections: Accessible by regular boat services from nearby coastal towns such as Santa Pola and Alicante, the island is a common day-trip destination in summer.
• Protected marine area: Designated as a marine reserve, the surrounding waters are protected and are valued for clear visibility, seagrass meadows and local marine life.

What to See#

• Walled village and harbour: A compact, walled fishing village clustered around a small sheltered harbour, with narrow streets, a central church and traditional low-rise houses.
• Marine reserve and dive sites: A surrounding marine reserve with rocky reefs and seagrass beds that make the waters popular for snorkeling and diving.
• Lighthouse and headlands: The lighthouse and outer headlands that mark the island's most exposed points and offer coastal walks and views back to the Alicante coastline.