Santa Pola is a working fishing port 20 km from Alicante, and the fastest way to Tabarca: 25 minutes across, against the hour it takes from the city. Around the town there is a nature reserve with flamingos, a lighthouse viewpoint over the cape, and shallow sandy beaches that suit young children.
What to do
| Activity | Duration | From |
|---|---|---|
| Ferry to Tabarca | 25 min each way | €9 pp |
| Guided walk in the salt flats | 2 hrs 30 | €18 pp |
| Boat trip round the cape | 2 hrs | €30 pp |
| Fishing trip | 4 hrs | €60 pp |
Prices and conditions are indicative and subject to confirmation. We confirm them in writing when you book. Last reviewed: September 2026.
The port
It is still a real fishing port. There is a fish auction around five in the afternoon, and the restaurants along the quay cook what came in that morning. That is where to eat.
The beaches
North of the port the sand is fine and the water shelves gently — the obvious choice with small children. South, past the cape, it turns rocky and you get the coves of Santa Pola del Este, quieter and better for snorkelling and paddleboarding.
Getting here
15 km from Alicante airport, barely 15 minutes. From Torrevieja it is 30 km, about half an hour.
Common questions
Santa Pola or Alicante for the Tabarca boat?
Santa Pola, if you have children or the sea is up. Twenty-five minutes instead of an hour, and a good deal cheaper.
When are the flamingos here?
Spring through to September, and September is usually the best month of the lot. The colony across these lagoons and El Hondo runs to more than 3,000 birds.
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