Quick answer: Tabarca is a small flat island off Santa Pola, south of Alicante, and Spain's first marine reserve. From Benidorm, you can take a direct summer boat with Excursiones Marítimas Benidorm from the port, or book a coach-and-ferry day trip from Benidorm or Albir from about €42, which drives to Santa Pola and crosses from there. You get around three hours on the island for swimming, snorkelling and lunch. Outside summer, boats leave from Alicante and Santa Pola instead.
About Tabarca
| Detail | Tabarca |
|---|---|
| Size | Main island about 1,800 m long and 400 m wide (0.3 km²) |
| Status | Spain's first declared marine reserve |
| Population | The only inhabited island in the Valencian region |
| Distance | About 3 nautical miles from Santa Pola; about 1 hour by boat from Alicante |
| Famous dish | Caldero tabarquino, a fish and rice stew |
Sources: Comunitat Valenciana diving guide, Alicante Turismo.
Ways to get there from Benidorm
| Option | How it works | Price guide |
|---|---|---|
| Direct boat from Benidorm port | Excursiones Marítimas Benidorm, high season only; tel. +34 965 850 052 | Ask at the port kiosk |
| Coach + ferry day trip | Pick-up in Benidorm or Albir, drive to Santa Pola, ferry across, about 8–8.5 hours in total with about 3 hours on the island | From about €42 |
| DIY via Alicante | TRAM L1 to Alicante (about 72 minutes), then a boat from Alicante port (about 1 hour) | TRAM plus boat fare |
| DIY via Santa Pola | Drive or bus to Santa Pola, then a ferry or water taxi | Water taxi from about €15 |
Sources: Alicante Turismo, Expedia, Expedia – water taxi.
In high season, boats from Benidorm have typically run four or five days a week depending on demand. Confirm days and times at Benidorm port or the Benidorm tourist office (+34 965 853 224) before you plan.
What to do on Tabarca
Swim and snorkel: the protected waters are clear, with sea grass meadows and plenty of fish. Bring a mask.
Walk the walled village: the 18th-century fortified town, with its gates and church, takes under an hour.
Eat caldero: the island's restaurants are known for this fish-and-rice dish. Book in July and August.
Dive: try dives around Tabarca are sold from about €80; see our diving guide for options closer to Benidorm.
Tips
There is little shade: take sun cream, a hat and water.
Arrive early or late in summer, when day boats fill the beaches at midday.
Plastic and glass waste must go home with you; it is a protected area.
If boats are cancelled for wind, the coach-and-ferry trips via Santa Pola are more reliable, as the crossing is shorter.
Tabarca from Benidorm: FAQs
Can you get a boat from Benidorm to Tabarca? Yes, in high season, with Excursiones Marítimas Benidorm from the port.
How long does it take to get to Tabarca from Benidorm? A coach-and-ferry day trip takes about 8–8.5 hours in total, with around 3 hours on the island.
How much is a Tabarca day trip from Benidorm? From about €42 per adult for a coach-and-ferry trip.
Is Tabarca worth visiting? Yes, for clear water, snorkelling and a quiet walled village, especially outside peak August days.
Can you visit Tabarca in winter? Yes, from Santa Pola or Alicante, where boats run all year on a reduced timetable.