More than 300,000 visitors expected on Tabarca Island
28 Jun
Tabarca is an island a few kilometres from Santa Pola on the Costa Blanca. The island belongs to the province of Alicante in the region of Valencia. With its 1,800 metres length, its maximum width of 400 metres and its maximum height of 15 metres, it is the smallest and only inhabited island on the Spanish coast, and it is also a protected marine reserve with a great biodiversity of flora and fauna. In its immediate vicinity are a number of smaller, uninhabited islands and cliffs.
During the winter, the island has a population of only about one hundred. While in summer this number is much higher due to the many day-trippers. For Tabarca, tourism is the main form of income. Then the small fishermen's houses are transformed into cosy bars, small fish restaurants and shops. The atmosphere is further created with lights and decorations around the village square and the surrounding streets.
The island can be reached by boat from the port of Santa Pola, which is only 8 km away from Benidorm. During the visit you can enjoy the 2 beaches of the island, the beach of Tabarca located in the south and the beach of Puerto Viejo located in the north. You can also swim in the crystal clear waters, snorkel or take a walk around the island visiting the Tabarca lighthouse, the port or the church of San Pedro.
At least 300 thousand visitors are expected this year. To ensure that the summer months run smoothly and safely, the Guardia Civil, together with the local police in Alicante, will deploy more officers on the small island. They will patrol the island until 15 September, not only on the island but also on the water surrounding the island.
For families with children, this is an ideal day trip, taking a ship to the pirate island.
