Ferry timetable — Santa Pola to Tabarca Island
No need to select a departure time when booking — travel on whichever sailing suits you
The original ferry to Tabarca Island — since 1972
We have been operating the Santa Pola – Tabarca Island crossing since 1972, making us the most experienced and trusted catamaran service on the route. Over 50 years of daily crossings, thousands of happy passengers and a reputation built on reliability and service.
Our glass-bottom catamaran stops at the Tabarca Marine Reserve on the way over — declared in 1986 as the first marine reserve in Spain — so you can watch the fish and marine life beneath you before you even arrive at the island.
- Round-trip from only 9 € — best price on the route
- Glass-bottom viewing included in all tickets
- No fixed return time — stay as long as you like
- Pets travel free on board
- 250-passenger catamaran — spacious and comfortable
- Daily departures, including public holidays
Glass-bottom catamaran — watch the seabed on the crossing
Halfway through the crossing, our catamaran stops at a strategic point in the Tabarca Marine Reserve. You can go down to the glass-bottom viewing area and watch the Mediterranean sea floor — colourful fish darting between rocks and seagrass, all in crystal-clear water.
No diving experience needed. No wetsuit. Just look down and enjoy. It is one of the highlights of the trip for adults and children alike — and it is included in every ticket at no extra cost.
- Included in all tickets — no extra charge
- Stop inside the Tabarca Marine Reserve
- The widest glass-bottom windows in Santa Pola
- Suitable for all ages including young children
What to do on Tabarca Island
Beaches & swimming
Crystal-clear water in a protected Marine Reserve. Playa de Levante is the main beach — calm, shallow and perfect for families. Cala del Francés has spectacular seabeds for snorkelling just metres from the shore.
Snorkelling
The waters around Tabarca have some of the best visibility on the Costa Blanca. Bring a mask and fins — you will see octopus, moray eels, sea bream and colourful fish in abundance. No experience needed.
Historic walled village
The only example of 18th-century military urbanism preserved in Spain. Built by order of King Carlos III in 1769. Walk through the old town, the church of San Pedro y San Pablo and the Torre de San José watchtower.
Local food
Try caldero tabarquino — the island's signature dish of fresh rock fish with rice cooked in the broth. A recipe passed down through generations since the 18th century. Book a table in advance, especially in summer.
Tabarca Lighthouse
Built in 1854 at the eastern tip of the island. The walk to the lighthouse takes you through the wildest part of Tabarca and rewards you with panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the Alicante coastline.
Photography
The old walls, the harbour, the whitewashed streets and the lighthouse are stunning at any time of day. Early morning or late afternoon light is especially beautiful — and the island is much quieter before the day-trip crowds arrive.
How to get to Santa Pola from the Costa Blanca
Our orange ticket booth is at the fishing port of Santa Pola — Av. de los Baños, 1, 03130 Santa Pola, Alicante. Look for the orange booth on the quayside. If you have bought your ticket online, go straight to the orange booth and show your QR code — priority boarding, no queue.
From Alicante: approximately 20 minutes by car on the N-332 heading south. By bus, take the ALSA line from Alicante bus station — around 30 minutes.
From Torrevieja: around 25 minutes north by car on the N-332.
From Guardamar del Segura: just 15 minutes north by car — the closest town on the southern Costa Blanca.
Parking: public paid parking is available near the port. In July and August we recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before your departure.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to visit Tabarca Island?
Pioneers since 1972 · Glass-bottom catamaran · 25 minutes from Santa Pola
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Tabarca Island boat trip from Santa Pola — complete guide
A day trip to Tabarca Island is one of the most popular excursions on the Costa Blanca — and for good reason. The island combines crystal-clear water, a protected marine reserve, an 18th-century walled village and some of the best seafood on the Spanish Mediterranean coast, all within a 25-minute boat ride from Santa Pola.
The ferry from Santa Pola to Tabarca is the fastest and most affordable way to reach the island. Santa Pola is the closest point on the mainland to Tabarca — just 9 kilometres — which means a shorter crossing, lower ticket prices and more time on the island compared to departures from Alicante or Torrevieja.
Tabarca Island day trip from Alicante
If you are staying in Alicante city, the easiest way to visit Tabarca is to drive or take the bus to Santa Pola first — approximately 20 minutes by car on the N-332. From Santa Pola, our catamaran reaches Tabarca in just 25 minutes. The total journey from Alicante city centre to Tabarca takes under one hour, making it a very comfortable day trip.
Departures from Alicante port directly to Tabarca are also available with other operators, but the crossing takes around 1 hour each way. Coming via Santa Pola with us saves you significant time and is considerably cheaper.
Tip: Take the first departure of the day (10:00 from Santa Pola) to arrive before the crowds. The beaches and coves are much quieter in the morning — especially in July and August.
Tabarca Island excursion from Torrevieja and Guardamar
Travelling from Torrevieja? Santa Pola is just 25 minutes north by car on the N-332. From Guardamar del Segura, it is only 15 minutes. Both towns are perfectly positioned for a Tabarca day trip via Santa Pola — far shorter and cheaper than alternatives from Alicante or Benidorm.
Is Tabarca Island worth visiting?
Absolutely — and it is one of the most underrated destinations on the entire Spanish Mediterranean coast. Tabarca Island is the only inhabited island in the Valencian Community, with a remarkable history that dates back to 1769 when King Carlos III of Spain settled freed prisoners from North Africa there. The old walled town, the baroque church of San Pedro y San Pablo and the Torre de San José watchtower are all exceptionally well preserved.
The sea around the island was declared Spain's first marine reserve in 1986 — which means the water is exceptionally clear and full of marine life. Snorkelling here is genuinely spectacular even for complete beginners. And the whole island is small enough to explore comfortably in a single day, making it the ideal day trip from anywhere on the Costa Blanca.
How to book your Tabarca Island ferry ticket
The easiest way is to book online — you pay the best available price (9 € round-trip for adults), receive your ticket instantly by email and get priority boarding at the orange booth. No queuing, no uncertainty. Your ticket is flexible — valid for any available departure between 2 March and 31 October, with no fixed return time.
You can also buy tickets directly at our orange ticket booth at the fishing port of Santa Pola (Av. de los Baños, 1). Look for the orange booth — not the blue ones, which belong to a different operator.
What to bring: sunscreen, snorkel mask and fins, comfortable walking shoes, cash for restaurants (some do not accept cards), and a bag for your picnic or cool box — there are no restrictions on luggage.
When is the best time to visit Tabarca Island?
May, June and September are the best months — the weather is warm, the sea is perfect for swimming and the island is much quieter than in high summer. July and August are very busy, with restaurants filling up fast and more competition for space on the beaches. Winter visits are possible for those who enjoy peaceful, uncrowded walks and stunning Mediterranean light.
Whatever time of year you visit, the Catamarán Nueva Tabarca has been making this crossing since 1972 — longer than any other operator on the route. Book your ticket now and secure your place on the island →
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