There is always something magical about islands—a sense of freedom that washes over us as the boat leaves the coast and the horizon widens. This is the very same fascination we feel every time we set sail to Tabarca, the only inhabited island in the Valencian Community and a true treasure frozen in time.
The history whispered by its walls tells of Barbary pirates who once haunted these waters and of Genoese families who, after their captivity in Tunisia, found a new fortified home here. Walking through its streets, one senses that Tabarca is not just land, but a fortress and a refuge where the word survival took on a deeper meaning.
With Oxytours, you will discover why this enclave was Spain’s first declared Marine Reserve. Beneath its crystal-clear waters, the Posidonia oceanica meadows serve as a sanctuary for an astonishing biodiversity where, with a bit of luck, bottlenose dolphins can be seen leaping freely from the island or during the boat crossing. On land, the island reveals its subtler secrets: from the elegant flight of Audouin’s gulls or the nesting of European storm petrels, to the presence of exclusive flora adapted to life amidst salt and wind. Furthermore, the sub-volcanic origin of much of the island gives its rocks a distinctive greenish hue, making Tabarca a fascinating example of geological exceptionality that we will explore during our guided itinerary.
Our experience begins with a crossing from Santa Pola (price included in the activity), where the sea breeze prepares us for the visit to this fragile ecosystem. At the end of the guided route, the island is yours to explore: you have a flexible return, allowing you to choose whichever return time you prefer to enjoy some time at your own pace. Whether losing yourself in its coves, enjoying a swim in its turquoise waters, or savoring the local gastronomy, Tabarca invites you to linger a little longer in its Mediterranean embrace.
(*) Information for groups of more than 14 people: Possibility of choosing other dates (subject to availability).