Tabarca Island
Tabarca island is a small inhabited island off the Valencian coastline, there are only 68 inhabitants but in the summer this number swells considerably as tourists leave from Santa Pola, Torrevieja or Alicante by foot ferry to visit the beaches and get a glimpse of the fish. The island was the 1st marine reserve in Spain and its home to Sea Bass, Grouper, Conga Eel and Gilthead also the island a Special Protection Zone for birds.
You can swim in crystal clear waters or take out a jet ski, there is one beach where you can hire sun beds and parasols and has most of the normal beach activities, it is also a destination for the private yatchs around the area.
The fare to the islands and back is advertised as €15 but it is possible to pick up a fare as low as €10 from Santa Pola, where crossings are more frequent and the journey is shortest.
There are plenty of cafes and restaurants on the island but as you would expect the prices are dearer than on the mainland. Also a few shops for your souvenirs. Other beaches are wild and completely uncommercial.
If you’re in the Alicante area of Spain this is a lovely day out but make sure you bring sun cream and a shade as there isn’t much protection from the sun.