Boat rental in Alicante — Tabarca, Santa Pola, the Costa Blanca and tips for 2027

Alicante, the capital of the Costa Blanca, sits on a wide bay with a long beach right in front of the city and a busy marina below Santa Bárbara castle. From the water you can reach Spain's oldest marine reserve around the island of Tabarca, quiet coves under Cabo de las Huertas and, further north, the cliffs and towns of the Costa Blanca. This guide covers routes, rules and practical tips for a day on the sea from Alicante.

Where boats leave from

Most boats in the city leave from the port of Alicante, a short walk from the Explanada promenade and the old town. Along the coast there are smaller marinas at El Campello, Villajoyosa and Santa Pola, and many boats for Tabarca depart from Santa Pola, which is closer to the island.

Routes from Alicante

• Isla de Tabarca (about 11 NM): a small island with a walled 18th-century village, a lighthouse and clear water. The surrounding marine reserve, Spain's first, protects seagrass meadows and fish; anchoring is regulated, so use the designated areas and drop anchor on sand, never on the seagrass.
• Cabo de Santa Pola (about 9 NM): cliffs and a lighthouse on the cape, with sheltered water on the Santa Pola side when the wind is from the north.
• Cabo de las Huertas (about 3 NM): small rocky coves just north of the city, good for a short swim stop, with the long Playa de San Juan beyond.
• El Campello and Villajoyosa (about 8–15 NM): a fishing port and a town of brightly painted houses, known for its chocolate factories.
• Benidorm island and Altea (about 20–25 NM): the island off Benidorm's skyline and the white village of Altea on its hill. It is a long day, better suited to faster boats or skippered trips.

Further north, around Calp and Xàbia, the coast becomes steeper and more dramatic, but it is easier to start from there. If you are travelling by camper along the coast, see our Valencia campervan guide and Murcia campervan guide. For another day on the sea further south, see our guide to boat rental in Málaga.

Rules and licences

• Without a licence. In Spain you can rent a small boat without a licence, up to about 5 metres and 15 hp, by day and close to the coast. Larger boats need a recognised licence, or a skipper.
• Bathing areas. In summer the beaches are marked with buoys, and boats may not enter the swimming zones; use the marked channels to reach the shore at slow speed.
• Seagrass. The Posidonia meadows along the coast are protected; anchor on sand and look for a light patch before dropping the anchor.
• Marine reserve. In parts of the Tabarca reserve fishing and anchoring are restricted or prohibited; follow the buoys and signs.

Wind and weather

In summer the morning is usually calm and an afternoon sea breeze from the east or south-east picks up, so plan the return leg before it builds. A strong levante from the east raises waves along the whole coast and can make the crossing to Tabarca uncomfortable. A hot poniente from the west blows from the land and can be strong offshore. Check the forecast every morning and stay closer to the coast when in doubt.

When to go

The season runs from May to October. In August the sea is around 26 °C, but the bay and Tabarca are at their busiest. June and September offer warm water and fewer boats. The Hogueras de San Juan festival around 20 to 24 June ends with fireworks over the city, and many people watch them from the water.

A boat in Alicante with Crystalium Booker

We are still building up our boat offer in Alicante. Send us your date and number of people through the contact page and we will look for a suitable boat, and keep an eye on the boats in Alicante page for new listings. Do you rent out a boat in or around Alicante? List it with us.