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⛵ 16 departures/day · flexible ticket From €9 online
🎫 Book — €9
⚓ Pioneers since 1972 · Santa Pola

Tabarca boat timetable
from Santa Pola 2026

Port of Santa Pola Tabarca Island

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 €9
🗓️ Check the dates 🎫 Ticket with no fixed time 🐠 Free underwater views 🐶 Pets travel free
🚢
9 departures a day
⏱️
25' crossing
🎫
Flexible no fixed time
🐶
Free pets

Boat 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.

OUTBOUND departures Santa Pola → Tabarca
Morning
09:00* 09:30 10:00 10:45 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30* 14:00 14:45*
Afternoon
15:30 16:15 17:00 18:00 19:00
🏠
RETURN departures Tabarca → Santa Pola
Morning and midday
- 10:15 10:40 11:25 12:15 12:45 - 13:45 - 14:45
Afternoon
16:15 17:00 17:45 18:45 19:45

How does the ticket work?

No complications. You don't have to decide what time you're coming back before you leave home.

1 📱

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.

2 🚢

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.

3 🏝️

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.

Child (4–8 years)
8
Return · online
Under 4 years
Free
No ticket needed
Pets 🐾
Free
Dogs and cats welcome
The price includes: outbound crossing · return crossing · a stop at the Tabarca Marine Reserve with underwater views of the Mediterranean seabed · flexible ticket valid for any departure that day.

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 first boat, the best moment

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.

📅 May, June and September — the hidden gem

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.

☀️ July and August: beautiful but very busy

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.

📆 Weekdays are always quieter

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.

📍 Pier address

Santa Pola Fishing Port
Avenida de los Baños, 1
03130 Santa Pola, Alicante

See it on Google Maps →

🚗 Free parking

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 and elsewhere

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

Company Viajes Isla Tabarca · Founded in 1972 · The oldest on the route
Route Santa Pola Fishing Port → Tabarca Island (11 km)
Season Check the current dates · Every day, public holidays included
Frequency 16 daily departures from Santa Pola · From 09:00 to 19:00
Crossing time 25 min port to port + Marine Reserve stop (~35-40 min total)
Adult fare From €9 · Return · booking online
Child fare (4–8 years) €8 · Return
Under 4 years Free · No ticket needed
Pets Free · Dogs and cats accepted with no size restriction
Ticket type Flexible · No fixed time · Valid all day
Vessel Catamarán Nueva Tabarca · 250 pax · Underwater views included
Last boat back 19:00 from Tabarca Island to Santa Pola
Boarding Av. de los Baños 1 · Santa Pola Fishing Port · 03130
Rating 4.8 / 5 · More than 1,200 verified Google reviews

More than 1,200 Google reviews

★★★★★ 4,8 out of 5
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."

M
María G. August 2025 · Google
★★★★★

"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."

R
Roberto S. September 2025 · Google
★★★★★

"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."

A
Ana P. July 2025 · Google

Frequently asked questions about the Tabarca timetable

About times, tickets and how to plan your day on the island.

How many boats leave Santa Pola for Tabarca each day?+
During the season there are 16 daily departures from Santa Pola: at 09:00, 09:30, 10:00, 10:45, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 13:00, 13:30, 14:00, 14:45, 15:30, 16:15, 17:00, 18:00 and 19:00. From Tabarca there are 13 returns, with the last boat at 20:15.
Does the ticket have a fixed time?+
No. The ticket is flexible: you can board any boat during the day, both out and back. You don't have to choose a time when you buy. If you stay longer on the island, you take the next boat at no extra cost.
How long does it take to get to Tabarca from Santa Pola?+
The direct crossing is 25 minutes. On top of that there's the stop at the Tabarca Marine Reserve to see the seabed through the catamaran's glass viewing points. All in, about 35–40 minutes port to port.
What time does the last boat back from Tabarca leave?+
The last boat back from Tabarca Island leaves at 20:15. We recommend being at the island's pier 10–15 minutes early, especially in August when it's busier.
What's the best time of day to go to Tabarca?+
If you're travelling with children or want more peace and quiet, the 10:00 or the 10:45 boats are the best: you arrive while the island is still fresh. In summer, leaving early also spares you the mid-morning crowds.
Is there a boat every day, including holidays and weekends?+
Yes. Throughout the season the service runs every day, including Saturdays, Sundays and national and local public holidays.
Does the boat run in windy or bad weather?+
We sail whenever weather conditions allow. If bad weather makes sailing impossible, we notify passengers with online tickets and arrange a change or a refund. If you're unsure about the day, you can call us on 623 526 591.
Can I buy the ticket at the pier on the day?+
Yes, you can buy at the desk on the day. That said, in July and August the boats fill up and waiting is common. Booking online secures your place and saves you 3€ compared with the desk price.
Do I need to book far in advance?+
It depends on the time of year. In May, June and September you can book on the day without any trouble. In July and August, especially at weekends, we recommend booking at least 2–3 days ahead.
Can I bring my dog on the boat?+
Yes. Pets travel free on our boats — dogs, cats and other pets are welcome with no restriction on size or breed. They don't need a ticket. More information on our pets page.
Is there a boat to Tabarca in winter?+
The regular service runs during the season — check the current dates. Out of season the island has no regular passenger boat connection.
Are the underwater views included in the ticket price?+
Yes. The stop at the Tabarca Natural Marine Reserve to see the seabed through the catamaran's glass viewing points is included in the price at no extra cost. It's one of the parts our passengers rate most highly.
How long is it worth spending on the island?+
With 4–5 hours you have plenty of time to swim, eat and walk around. If you take the 10:00 boat, you can come back on the 16:15 or the 17:00 and you'll have made the most of the day. If you'd rather stay for sunset, the 20:15 boat is the last one back.

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.

🎫 Flexible ticket, no fixed time 🐾 Pets travel free 🐠 Underwater views included ⭐ 4.8/5 · 1,200+ reviews
🎫 Book my ticket — from €9

The oldest operator on the Santa Pola–Tabarca route · Founded in 1972
Any questions? Call us: 623 526 591 · Hours: 09:00–20:30