The most affordable and experienced ferry service on the Costa Blanca.
Round-trip from just 9€ · Glass-bottom catamaran · Pets welcome · Flexible return times
Why Choose Nueva Tabarca?
Over 50 years of experience connecting Santa Pola with Tabarca Island. We are the original, family-run catamaran service trusted by thousands of visitors every summer — including guests from the UK and France who come back year after year.
- ✅ Best price guaranteed — round-trip from only 9€ per adult (children 4–12: 8€, under 4: FREE)
- ✅ Glass-bottom catamaran — watch fish and marine life beneath you on the crossing
- ✅ No fixed return time — stay as long as you want on the island
- ✅ Pets travel free — bring your dog aboard, no extra charge
- ✅ Rated 4.9/5 with over 171 verified reviews on CheckYeti
- ✅ Bar on board — cold drinks available during the crossing
- ✅ No luggage restrictions — bring your picnic, umbrella, cool box
How to Get to Tabarca Island
Where do we depart from? Our orange ticket booth is located at the Port of Santa Pola (Av. de los Baños, 1, 03130 Santa Pola, Alicante). Easy to find — look for the orange booth on the quayside.
How long is the crossing? Approximately 25 minutes by catamaran. Sit back, enjoy the sea views and watch the seabed through the glass bottom.
Daily departures from Santa Pola: 10:00 · 10:45 · 11:30 · 12:15 · 13:00 · 14:00 · 15:30 · 17:15
Return departures from Tabarca: 10:45 · 12:15 · 13:45 · 16:15 · 18:00
No need to book a return time in advance — travel back on whichever sailing suits you.
Ticket Prices 2025 / 2026
- Adult (13+): 9€ round-trip
- Child (4–12): 8€ round-trip
- Child under 4 years: FREE
- Pets: FREE
What to Do on Tabarca Island
Tabarca is the only inhabited island in the Valencian Community and one of the most beautiful spots on the Spanish Mediterranean coast. A day trip from Santa Pola gives you plenty of time to explore everything.
Things to do on the island:
🏖️ Beaches & swimming — crystal-clear water, perfect for snorkelling. The sea around Tabarca is a protected Marine Reserve, home to colourful fish, octopus and even seahorses.
🏘️ The historic village — walk through the old walled town with its whitewashed houses, the 18th-century church of San Pedro y San Pablo, and the Torre de San José watchtower.
🍽️ Local food — try caldero, the island’s traditional rice dish cooked with fresh fish. Several small restaurants and bars are open throughout the day.
🤿 Snorkelling — bring your mask and fins. The waters around Tabarca have some of the best visibility on the Costa Blanca.
📸 Photography — the lighthouse, the old walls and the harbour are stunning at any time of day.
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What Our Guests Say
«Great service and excellent customer service. All staff very pleasant, well worth the price just for the ride and the views of the coastline.»
«Absolutely one of the things to do while in Santa Pola. Very nice to dive or snorkel, clear water and lots of life underwater.»
«Super organised, the staff were very friendly and attentive, punctual and very safe. We’ll definitely be back!»
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rated 4.9/5 — 171 verified reviews on CheckYeti
Book Your Boat to Tabarca Today
Don’t miss the most iconic day trip on the Costa Blanca. Whether you’re staying in Santa Pola, Alicante, Torrevieja or Guardamar, Tabarca Island is an unmissable experience — and we’ve been taking visitors there for over 50 years.
📍 Port of Santa Pola — Orange Ticket Booth · Av. de los Baños, 1, 03130 Santa Pola
📞 +34 623 526 591
How to Get to Santa Pola from Alicante, Torrevieja and Guardamar
Santa Pola is easy to reach from all the main towns on the Costa Blanca:
From Alicante
By car it’s approximately 20 minutes south on the N-332. By bus, take the ALSA line from Alicante bus station — buses run regularly throughout the day and the journey takes around 30 minutes. Once in Santa Pola, our orange ticket booth is a 5-minute walk from the bus stop.
From Torrevieja
Around 25 minutes north by car on the N-332. Buses also connect Torrevieja with Santa Pola daily.
From Guardamar del Segura
Just 15 minutes north by car. The closest town to Santa Pola on the southern Costa Blanca.
Parking at Santa Pola port
There is public parking available near the port. We recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before your chosen departure, especially in July and August.
Is Tabarca Island Worth Visiting?
Absolutely. Tabarca is one of the most unique destinations on the entire Spanish Mediterranean coast — and one of the most underrated. Here is why thousands of visitors return every summer:
It is the only inhabited island in the Valencian Community, with a history dating back to the 18th century when King Carlos III of Spain settled freed prisoners from North Africa there. The old walled village, the church of San Pedro y San Pablo and the Torre de San José watchtower are all remarkably well preserved.
The sea around the island is a protected Marine Reserve — one of the first in Spain — which means the water is exceptionally clear and full of marine life. Snorkelling here is genuinely spectacular even for beginners.
And the best part? The whole island is small enough to explore comfortably in a single day, making it the perfect day trip from Santa Pola, Alicante or anywhere on the Costa Blanca.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my dog?
Yes! Pets travel completely free of charge aboard our catamaran. Tabarca island is also very dog-friendly.
Do I need to book a return time in advance?
No. Your round-trip ticket is valid for any return sailing on the same day. Simply show up at the Tabarca dock when you’re ready to leave.
Is the boat accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs?
Our catamaran is accessible for pushchairs and manual wheelchairs. Please contact us in advance if you need assistance boarding.
What happens if the weather is bad?
In the event of adverse weather conditions, trips may be modified or cancelled for safety. We will notify you and offer a full refund or alternative date.
Where exactly do I find you at the port?
Look for the orange ticket booth at the Port of Santa Pola, Av. de los Baños, 1. We are open daily from 9:00am during the season.
