The Tabarca ferry, explained

From Alicante, boats leave from the port beside the Explanada — a five-minute walk from the city centre, which makes it the easiest option if you are staying downtown. Crossing time is about an hour.

From Santa Pola, the crossing is the shortest of all, roughly 20–30 minutes, with more departures per day in summer. It is the better choice if you have a car or are staying south of the city.

Services are seasonal. From roughly June to September there are several sailings a day; in spring and autumn the frequency drops sharply, and in winter you may have a single boat out and a single boat back.

The number that matters is the last return. Everything else on the island — lunch, the lighthouse walk, one more swim — has to fit before it. Confirm it when you buy, not when you are on the beach.

Tickets are sold as returns, and children pay a reduced fare. Prices vary by operator and departure point, and some boats have a glass-bottom section sold at a small premium.

In July and August, book online in advance. The rest of the year you can normally buy at the kiosk on the day, but arrive 20–30 minutes before departure — boarding closes early.

Sailings are cancelled when the sea state makes the crossing unsafe, most often with strong easterly winds. This can happen with very little notice, including for the return leg — which is why staying until the last boat on a windy day is a bad idea.

If the forecast looks marginal, call the operator the morning of your trip. A calm sea also means a much better crossing if you are prone to seasickness.

• Take the earliest boat out — the island is far quieter before midday.
• Bring cash: not every restaurant or kiosk accepts cards.
• There is little shade; a hat and sunscreen matter more than you expect.
• Book lunch in summer, or you will be waiting an hour for a table.
• Water shoes make the rocky coves usable.