🏝️ Tabarca
Fortified island off Alicante with Mediterranean heritage and marine reserve
📋 Fast Facts
- Small inhabited island 4 km off the coast of Santa Pola, 22 km from Alicante
- Approximately 1.8 km long and 400 metres wide with flat, rocky terrain
- 18th-century fortified settlement populated by families rescued from North African corsairs
- Surrounded by Spain's first marine reserve protecting Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows
Tabarca is a small inhabited island off the southeastern coast of Spain near Alicante, notable for its 18th-century fortifications, traditional fishing culture, and ecological significance. Originally repopulated by Spanish authorities with families liberated from Tunisian captivity, the island retains its defensive architecture and maritime heritage. The surrounding waters form one of Spain's earliest designated marine reserves, protecting extensive underwater ecosystems that support diverse ...