The Tabarca-Santa Pola swim crosses the Mediterranean Sea from Tabarca island to Santa Pola on Spain’s Alicante coast. This open-water race, organized by Club Deportivo Natación Alone Santa Pola, takes place in early July. Established in 1996, recent events have attracted over 1,500 participants from across Spain. Its scale and the straightforward appeal of swimming from island to mainland have earned it a place among the world’s top 100 open-water swims.
The course is a point-to-point crossing, with support boats accompanying participants. The field is divided into age groups, as well as absolute, general, and local categories. A notable feature is the "Acero de Barco" category for swimmers with disabilities, awarding trophies to the top three men and women. Entry is limited, requiring pre-registration and a draw before final registration opens.