Known for its ecological importance, Tabarca became a marine reserve in 1986.
Despite its small size of 0.3 square kilometres and a population of about 60 residents, it attracts many visitors, especially in summer.
In 2023, about 230,000 people visited Tabarca, with some summer days seeing over 10,000 tourists. This high number of visitors is putting pressure on the island’s fragile ecosystem.
Originally, Tabarca relied on fishing, but now its economy depends on day-trippers.
This shift has created an urgent need to preserve the island’s natural and cultural heritage while managing tourism sustainably.