A 15 minute boat-ride from Santo Pola, south of Alicante, brings you to Tabarca, a flat island with a permanent population of maybe fifty souls in the off-season, and considerably more when the tourists invade during the summer months. It has a very calming atmosphere, as indeed many Islands do, and an interesting history.
Berber pirates found refuge on these shores, and in the 18th Century King Carlos 111 ordered the island to be fortified and a town built to house families of Genoese fishermen held prisoner in the Tunisian city of Tabarka.
Some of their names remain to this day.
Walking around the streets is a most relaxing experience, considering how close the bustling coast of the Costa Blanca is across the water.
The waters surrounding Tabarca are so pristine that since 1986 it has been declared a Marine Reserve, the first of its kind in Spain. Even the harbour is gin-clear to the bottom, with shoals of fish much in evidence. Bottle nose Dolphins are regularly seen off-shore, though sadly not today.
A most rewarding day, and a beautiful place, so close to mainland Spain. Even the animals seem adapted to it: Ralph was a sweety, and took a shine to my cycling jacket.
Looks perfect get away from it all place !John and I had a day in Littlehampton bright and sunny but very cold wind lots love Sylvie xx
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What a beautiful place and I think you have taken the finest seagull photo I have seen.
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Very Idyllic….seems a nice place to rest up, makes me feel like nodding off just looking at the photo’s, I suppose the sun and lazy summer days will return here soon. I’m getting greyer by the day and my tan has all but gone…. Sod it – I’m off to the States and Florida again next week, the blog’s up and running and so am I. Have fun!
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Still enjoying your marvellous photos. I am now safely ensconced in Nerja. Will you be coming back down this way again? Would be nice to buy you a pint of San Miguel while reminiscing!!
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