La Isla de Tabarca is placed around 3 miles away from Santa Pola Cape, and it depends administratively on Alicante city. Tabarca is 1.800 metres long and 450 metres wide, and it is surrounded by islets. It has 20 inhabitants during the winter, but in summer this number is considerably increased with the presence of owners of kiosks on the beach, restaurants and other businesses, as well as holidaymakers, who have their own properties or they rent them. Everyday since the summer season starts, Tabarca welcomes between 2.000 and 5.000 visitors. The island and its surroundings, which cover 1.400 hectares, were declared a Sea Reserve in 1986, in order to improve its sea bottoms.

History: Its real name is Illa Plana or Nueva Tabarca. In 1786, 600 Genoveses captivated by the Arabs in the Tunisian Tabarka Island, who were rescued by the Spanish troops of Charles III and brought to this island. This was the reason why the island received this name.

Culture and Art: According to the approaches of the 18th century, a town with a perfect layout was built, surrounded by spectacular walls, very well kept today in its majority, and with different accesses through three big gates: the puerta de San Rafael, which is in the east; puerta de San Gabriel, facing the west, and the puerta de San Miguel, with views of Alicante city, coming out in a small cliff of round stones called el Puerto Viejo. Other very recommended constructions are the Iglesia de San Pedro and San Pablo, the last one of Baroque style, which stands out in the island; the old Casa del Gobernador, which today is a hotel; and the old Lighthouse, which has been restored to house a biological laboratory which serves as a Sea Reserve.

Gastronomy: One of the most famous dishes is the grilled potera squid, or the unsurpassable Caldero, which is formed by a first plate of fish followed by exquisite rice.

Climate: There is a mild climate in the island, with an annual average temperature of 17ºC. The subtropical character of the waters constantly invites a bath and offers divers abundant banks of fish, starfish and a big variety of seaweeds, which create a big range of colours.

Festivals: In July, when the island receives loads of tourists, takes place a maritime procession in honour of the Virgen del Carmen in an act where the image of the Virgin is carried in a boat followed by a series of other boats, where they remember the deceased sailors by throwing flowers into the sea, among chants and Hail Marys.

Communications: The access to the island is made by regular ships from Alicante, Santa Pola, Guardamar and Torrevieja. There are also boats to hire.

BEACHES OF TABARCA:

Playa de la Isla de Tabarca: It is a small beach where thick sand and pebbles are mixed together. The most attractive feature of this beach is the quality and crystallinity of the waters, as well as the abundancy of sea bottoms, which were declared a Sea Reserve.