Santa Pola has been an important fishing port since Roman times and is now popular with holidaymakers to the area who are attracted by its excellent sandy beaches.

The Island of Tarbarca is easily reached, by boat, from Santa Pola (30 minutes) with slightly longer voyage from Alicante or Torrevieja. The Island can be described as 'guitar shaped' and has a length of 1,800metres by 450 metres.

The natural environment, geological, ecological and biological features make the island of considerable interest to scientists, historians, conservationists and acedemics. In 1964 the Island was declared a Site of historic and Artistic Interest.