Tabarca boat timetable
from Santa Pola 2026
16 daily departures from Santa Pola and 13 returns from Tabarca. Ticket with no fixed time — take whichever boat you like, there and back. A 25-minute crossing with underwater views included.
🎫 Book my ticket — from €9Boat Santa Pola ↔ Tabarca
Full season: check the current dates. Every day, including national and local public holidays. Frequent departures every 30–60 minutes depending on the time of day.
Your ticket has no fixed time. You buy online and choose the departure that suits you when you get to the pier. If you end up staying longer on the island, no problem — you take the next boat back at no extra cost.
How does the ticket work?
No complications. You don't have to decide what time you're coming back before you leave home.
Book online in 2 minutes
Buy your ticket from your phone or computer. You get instant confirmation and that's it. No queues, no ticket desk.
Get to the pier and choose
Turn up at the port of Santa Pola whenever it suits you and board the next available boat. No set time, no last-minute dashes.
You decide when to come back
Your ticket is valid all day. If the island gets under your skin and you stay longer, you take whichever boat suits you — up to 20:15.
What if July is really busy?
In July and August the boats fill up — at weekends there can be a waiting list. Booking online secures your place and saves you finding a full pier after travelling all the way to Santa Pola. More than 1,200 passengers have rated us 4.8 out of 5.
What the ticket costs
Return included. No surprises — what you see is what you pay.
Travelling as a group or want to see every detail? See all prices →
When is the best time to go to Tabarca?
More than 50 years running this route gives you a certain perspective. This is what we tell everyone who asks.
The 09:00 boat reaches the island while it's still quiet. The coves are clean, the water sparkles and you have the whole morning ahead of you. With children it's even better — morning snorkelling in the Marine Reserve is spectacular.
Same boats, same price, 40% to 60% fewer visitors than in August. The Mediterranean is already warm enough for swimming from May and the experience is incomparably calmer. People who come back nearly always pick these months.
The island in summer is spectacular, but August weekends are the busiest of the year. Book online in advance and take the first boat. If you can, choose a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday — the difference is noticeable.
A Tuesday or Wednesday in high season is radically different from a Saturday. If your schedule allows, pick a weekday. The island has only 80 permanent residents — the difference in crowds really shows.
How to reach the port of Santa Pola
You board at the Santa Pola Fishing Port, 20 km south of the city of Alicante and only 11 km from the island.
Santa Pola Fishing Port
Avenida de los Baños, 1
03130 Santa Pola, Alicante
See it on Google Maps →
There's free parking on Calle Patricio Zammit, a 2-minute walk from the pier. In July and August it fills up before 10:00, so allow extra time if you want a guaranteed space.
From Alicante: 20 km on the AP-7 — about 20 min.
From Murcia: 60 km on the AP-7 — about 50 min.
From Valencia: 180 km on the AP-7 — about 90 min.
Service information — Santa Pola to Tabarca boat timetable 2026
More than 1,200 Google reviews
1,200+ reviews
"The flexible ticket is perfect when you're travelling with children. No stress about times, boarding is easy and the boat is great. The kids loved seeing the seabed."
"We went in September and it was wonderful. Quiet island, crystal-clear water and the boat right on time. We took the dog with no trouble at all. We'll definitely be back."
"Booked online in two minutes and walked straight onto the boat when we got to the port. No queues, no fuss. For a first visit to Tabarca, perfect."
Frequently asked questions about the Tabarca timetable
About times, tickets and how to plan your day on the island.
Know when you want to go?
Book online in 2 minutes. Your place is secured and it's on your phone before you leave home. No queues, no ticket desk.
The oldest operator on the Santa Pola–Tabarca route · Founded in 1972
Any questions? Call us: 623 526 591 · Hours: 09:00–20:30