Benidorm is without doubt a city that never seems to rest. There are an infinite number of activities and things to do, but it is true that its surroundings are without doubt a paradise that I recommend you discover. If you’re in Benidorm and you’re thinking of visiting the island of Tabarca, it’s one of the best plans you can make.
You have several options to go to Tabarca from the Spanish city of skyscrapers. You can go by car, public transport or boat.
Go to Tabarca by public transport from Alicante
Public transport is not one of the strong points of the Costa Blanca area, as there are some options but they are very slow and with few options, however, if you are thinking of going to Tabarca by public transport, the best option is either to take the tram from Benidorm to Alicante and then take the boat from Alicante to Tabarca.
You can also go by bus to Alicante from Benidorm with Alsa, which has several daily departures that can fit in with the departure time of the ferry from Alicante to Tabarca.
Go to Santa Pola from Benidorm to take the boat taxi (recommended option).
Go to Tabarca by car from Benidorm.
If you have a car or this is the option you are considering to travel from Benidorm to Tabarca, you should know that you can go from Benidorm by car to Santa Pola and from there take a boat to visit the island of Tabarca.
Tabarca as such cannot be reached by car, it is an island and its size is so small that cars are not allowed. In fact, it is something I love about Tabarca, to arrive and not see any cars or mopeds. Therefore, if you are planning to go to Tabarca from Benidorm, take your car towards the port of Santa Pola and from there take a tabarquera (shuttle boat that goes from Santa Pola to Tabarca). By car this would be the fastest way to get to Tabarca from Benidorm.
The option I chose was an organised excursion from Benidorm and we visited Tabarca Island and the Palmeral de Elche.
Go to Tabarca by boat from Benidorm
If you would like to visit Tabarca Island by boat, you should know that in Benidorm there is also an option to go by boat from there. It is a journey of about 2 hours by sea. There is a daily departure from Benidorm and depending on the day of the week the length of your stay in Tabarca varies For this reason, I recommend that you check on the boat’s website what day you want to go and how long you want to stay in Tabarca. Here is the link to the company that makes the boat trip from Benidorm to Tabarca.
Tabarca from other destinations:
Video of Tabarca from Benidorm
Price and fee guide for your excursion
| Route of Origin Means of Transport Approximate Journey Time Approximate Price (Return) Frequency |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benidorm Direct ferry 90 minutes €36 – €50 Seasonal (June-October) |
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| Santa Pola Sea taxi 15–20 minutes €15–€25 Very high (all year round) |
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| Alicante Ferry 50 minutes €21 – €22 High (all year round) |
Discounts and special policies for travellers
One thing worth mentioning, which is very helpful if you are travelling with family or friends, is the variety of discounts that shipping companies usually offer. It is worth asking about discounts for groups, large families or senior citizens, because they are rarely advertised, but they do exist:
- For children aged 4 to 12, there are often significant discounts. Children under 4 travel free, with some exceptions.
- Group travel: A phone call or direct email can result in much more affordable prices if you are organising a trip for several people.
- Senior citizen discounts: Some companies offer special prices to those who can prove they are over 65 years of age.