Day trips3 hoursFree cancellation up to 24h before

Tabarca: guided snorkelling tour in the marine reserve

Name: Tabarca: guided snorkelling tour in the marine reserve
Brand: GetYourGuide
Price: 50 EUR
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.6 (97 reviews)

Guided snorkelling tour in the Tabarca marine reserve: gear included, two snorkelling spots and an explanation of the seagrass ecosystem. 4.6/5 with 97 reviews.

4.697 reviews

Photo credits

Susana Romero, CC BY-SA 4.0, vía Wikimedia Commons · source
Enrique Íñiguez Rodríguez (Qoan), CC BY-SA 3.0, vía Wikimedia Commons · source
Enrique Íñiguez Rodríguez (Qoan), CC BY-SA 3.0, vía Wikimedia Commons · source
MOs810, CC BY-SA 4.0, vía Wikimedia Commons · source
Will Myers, Unsplash License · source
Senne Gilis, Unsplash License · source

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Practical details

Duration: 3 hours
Guide languages: Spanish · English
Mobile ticket: No need to print
Instant confirmation: Right after booking
Wheelchair accessible: No
Minimum age: No restriction
Pets: Not allowed
Cancellation: Free up to 24h before

Highlights

Spain's first marine reserve, with 15 metres of visibility
Full gear included: wetsuit, mask, snorkel and fins
Guide who knows the best spots and explains the seagrass
Small groups

Our take

If you go to Tabarca, snorkelling is the reason. With a guide and gear you see what you would miss on your own (the good spots are not at the main beach) and understand why seagrass matters. The best way to make the most of the marine reserve.

What's included

Snorkelling guide
Wetsuit, mask, snorkel and fins
Two snorkelling spots in the reserve
Insurance

Not included

Ferry or boat to Tabarca (depending on the option; check when booking)
Food

Good to know

What to bring

Swimsuit on and a towel
Water-resistant sun protection
Water

Not suitable for

Children under 8
Non-swimmers

Things to keep in mind

Visibility is best in the morning and in calm seas
Fishing and touching the seabed are banned in the reserve: the guide explains
Pairs well with the Santa Pola ferry if you book the option without the crossing

Meeting point

Tabarca Island (exact point on your voucher)

Depending on the option chosen, the meeting point is Tabarca harbour or the tour includes the crossing from Santa Pola. Check your voucher: it says whether you need to reach the island on your own.

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The experience

The tour

Three hours of guided snorkelling in the Tabarca marine reserve, protected since 1986. One guide, full gear and two snorkelling spots chosen according to sea conditions: usually the eastern coves towards the lighthouse and the shallows off La Cantera islet.

What you'll see underwater

Seagrass meadows: the marine plant responsible for the water's clarity and the Mediterranean's oxygen. The guide explains why it is protected.
Fish: bream, gilthead, schools of salema, comber, damselfish and, in the crevices, moray eels. There is no fishing in the reserve and the fish do not flee.
Rocky seabed: caves and passages between rocks at 3-8 metres, perfect for snorkelling without diving.

Who it's for

Swimmers who want to see the reserve properly, not just the main beach.
Families with children from 8.

Fitting it into the day

Book the morning departure (best visibility), have the caldero at the harbour and walk the walled village before the ferry back.

Accessibility

Not accessible.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before with full refund.

Frequently asked questions

What will I see?

Seagrass meadows (the plant that makes the water so clear), bream, gilthead, salema, moray eels in the crevices and, with luck, octopus and cuttlefish. The reserve has been fishing-free for almost 40 years and the difference from the rest of the coast is obvious.

Do I need experience?

No. You just need to be able to swim; the guide explains the gear and accompanies the group. The wetsuit gives buoyancy.

Does it include the boat to the island?

It depends on the option you choose when booking: there is a version with the crossing from Santa Pola and a snorkel-only version for those already on Tabarca. Read the GetYourGuide description before confirming.