Tabarca Island Catamaran Trip with Underwater Views from Torrevieja

Torrevieja harbour and the crossing

Torrevieja is a lively seaside town on the Costa Blanca, known for its long promenades, sandy beaches and the great salt lagoons that turn pink in summer. The excursion starts from the harbour on Paseo del Mar, where the catamaran leaves at 10:45 for the crossing to Tabarca.

The trip takes about an hour each way, with time to sit on the open deck, feel the sea breeze and watch the coast of Alicante slip by. If you are looking for things to do in Torrevieja beyond the beach, a day trip to Tabarca by sea is one of the most popular choices, and the catamaran's stable hull makes the crossing comfortable for all ages.

Underwater viewing in the Tabarca Marine Reserve

Before you disembark, the crew invites you down to the catamaran's underwater viewing area, where large windows below the waterline open onto the seabed around the island. The waters of Tabarca were declared Spain's first Marine Reserve in 1986, and the protection shows: meadows of Posidonia seagrass, rocky reefs and shoals of fish such as bream, groupers and colourful wrasse. Have your camera ready.

Posidonia is a flowering plant endemic to the Mediterranean that oxygenates the water and shelters young fish, and here it forms some of the best-preserved meadows on the coast. The underwater view is a highlight for children and a gentle way to see marine life without getting wet.

The walled village of Tabarca

Tabarca is a small, flat island under two kilometres long. Its village was built in the 1760s as a fortified town to house families of Genoese origin rescued from the island of Tabarka, off the coast of Tunisia, which is how the island got its name. Stone walls with three gates still surround the village, which was declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1964.

Inside the walls you find whitewashed houses with coloured shutters, quiet squares and the Baroque church of Saints Peter and Paul. Outside the village, an easy path leads past the old watchtower to the lighthouse at the eastern end. Is Tabarca worth visiting? Its peace, history and clear water make it a favourite day out on this coast.

Beaches, coves and nature

Tabarca has a sandy beach near the harbour and many rocky coves with turquoise water, ideal for swimming and snorkelling. The best spots for seeing fish are along the rocky shores of the marine reserve, so bring your own mask and snorkel if you want to explore, as equipment is not included.

The open eastern part of the island is a protected natural area with low coastal plants and seabirds such as gulls and shearwaters. With around five to six hours on the island, you have time to swim, walk the full loop around the walls and simply relax by the sea. The best time to visit Tabarca for swimming is from June to early October.

Caldero tabarquino and island food

Tabarca is famous across the Alicante coast for caldero tabarquino, a fishermen's dish in which rice is cooked in a rich broth made from local rockfish and served with alioli. The island's restaurants by the harbour and along the walls also serve grilled fish, seafood and other Mediterranean rice dishes.

Food is not included in the excursion, which leaves you free to choose where and what to eat; you can also bring a picnic. In high season the restaurants fill up at lunchtime, so it is worth reserving a table soon after you arrive. Later in the afternoon the catamaran takes you back to Torrevieja. Watch the island fade behind you on the way back.