Discover the uninhabited island just 2 miles offshore, home to unique wildlife and crystal-clear waters.
Rising dramatically from the turquoise Mediterranean waters just 3.5 kilometers offshore, Benidorm Island (known locally as Isla de Benidorm or L'Illa) stands as one of the Costa Blanca's most distinctive natural landmarks. This uninhabited rocky outcrop, reaching 73 meters at its highest point, has been a protected natural reserve since 1988, preserving its unique ecosystem and crystal-clear surrounding waters for future generations. A visit to the island offers a welcome escape from the bustle of the resort, providing opportunities for wildlife observation, snorkeling in pristine waters, and experiencing a piece of Mediterranean nature in its most unspoiled form.
The Geology and Legend of the Island
Benidorm Island is geologically part of the Sierra Helada mountain range, separated from the mainland by tectonic activity millions of years ago. The island's rocky composition – primarily limestone and dolomite – has been sculpted by wind and waves into dramatic cliffs, caves, and rocky platforms that characterize its coastline.
Like many Mediterranean landmarks, the island comes with its own romantic legend. Local folklore tells the story of Roland, a giant who lived in the mountains above Benidorm. When his beloved lay dying in the sun, Roland carved a chunk from Sierra Helada and threw it into the sea to provide shade for her final moments. While geologists offer more prosaic explanations, the legend adds a touch of romance to every view of the island from Benidorm's beaches.
The triangular profile of the island, sometimes described as resembling a shark's fin, creates one of the most recognizable silhouettes on the Costa Blanca coastline. Depending on the time of day and angle of view, the island can appear as a dark mass against brilliant sunsets or a bright limestone beacon in the morning sun.
Getting to the Island
Several boat operators run regular services to Benidorm Island from the pier at Levante beach, making the island easily accessible for visitors. The crossing takes approximately 15-20 minutes, offering pleasant views of Benidorm's impressive skyline as you depart and approaching the dramatic cliffs of the island as you near your destination.
Standard tourist boats operate throughout the day during summer months (typically April to October), with reduced schedules in spring and autumn. Round-trip tickets cost approximately €15 for adults and €8-10 for children, representing excellent value for the experience. The crossing itself forms part of the attraction, with opportunities to spot fish through the clear waters and perhaps glimpse dolphins that occasionally visit these waters.
Glass-bottom boats offer a particularly appealing option, allowing passengers to observe the marine life below without getting wet. The journey over the protected marine reserve reveals schools of fish, seagrass meadows, and the rocky substrate that supports such diverse underwater life. Commentary on board explains what you're seeing and provides background on the island's history and ecology.
For a more active approach, kayak tours to the island depart from Benidorm's beaches, offering a workout along with the destination. The crossing takes 45-60 minutes depending on conditions and fitness level, with guided tours ensuring safety while allowing small groups to explore at their own pace.
The Marine Reserve: An Underwater Paradise
The waters surrounding Benidorm Island constitute a protected marine reserve, and the benefits of this protection are immediately apparent to anyone who dons a mask and snorkel. Fishing restrictions have allowed fish populations to recover and thrive, creating one of the richest underwater environments on the Costa Blanca.
Visibility in these waters frequently exceeds 20 meters, revealing a underwater world of remarkable clarity and color. Schools of saddled bream, salema, and damselfish swarm around the rocky substrate, while larger groupers lurk in crevices and caves. Octopuses, often surprisingly bold, can be spotted hunting among the rocks, and moray eels peer out from their hiding places at passing snorkelers.
The seagrass meadows of Posidonia oceanica surrounding the island play a crucial role in the ecosystem. This Mediterranean endemic seagrass provides habitat for countless species, produces oxygen, and helps maintain water clarity. Its presence indicates healthy water conditions and explains much of the underwater biodiversity visitors can observe.
Snorkeling conditions around the island are excellent, with various entry points offering different experiences. The protected coves on the western side provide calmer waters suitable for beginners, while more exposed areas challenge experienced snorkelers with currents and deeper waters. Equipment rental is available on the tourist boats, though bringing your own gear ensures a better fit and comfort.
For certified scuba divers, the waters around Benidorm Island offer some of the best diving on the Costa Blanca. Dive operators in Benidorm run regular trips to the island, exploring caves, walls, and the diverse marine life in greater depth than snorkeling allows.
Wildlife on the Island
Above water, Benidorm Island provides crucial habitat for several bird species, most notably a breeding colony of Eleonora's falcon. These elegant raptors, named after a 14th-century Sardinian princess who enacted early bird protection laws, nest on the island's cliffs during late summer. Their presence here represents one of the westernmost breeding colonies of this Mediterranean specialist, making the island significant for conservation.
Yellow-legged gulls dominate the island's bird population, their calls providing the constant soundtrack to any visit. These large, bold gulls nest across the island and can become quite curious about visiting humans – guard your snacks accordingly. European shags and cormorants also utilize the island's rocky coastline, perching on exposed rocks to dry their wings after diving for fish.
The island supports a small population of the Iberian wall lizard, a species endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. These agile reptiles bask on sun-warmed rocks and scuttle between crevices, adding movement to the rocky landscape. They've adapted well to the island's harsh conditions of limited freshwater, intense sun, and salt spray.
During migration seasons, the island serves as a resting point for various species crossing the Mediterranean. Patient observers might spot warblers, flycatchers, and other small migrants sheltering among the sparse vegetation, recovering from or preparing for the long sea crossing.
Exploring the Island
Most visitors to Benidorm Island have approximately 1-2 hours to explore before their return boat departs. This proves ample time to circumnavigate the island's accessible areas, swim in the surrounding waters, and enjoy the unique perspective on the Costa Blanca coastline.
A rough path climbs from the landing area to the island's summit, rewarding those who make the effort with panoramic views extending from the mountains behind Benidorm to the coastline stretching toward Altea and beyond. The path is rocky and uneven, making proper footwear essential. Flip-flops and beach sandals are not appropriate for exploring beyond the immediate landing area.
The western side of the island offers the best swimming and snorkeling spots, with relatively calm waters protected from prevailing winds. Rocky platforms provide entry and exit points, though care is needed as surfaces can be slippery when wet. The water is deep enough for diving in from the rocks but check depth before jumping.
Small caves and overhangs around the island's perimeter provide shade and interesting exploration opportunities. These geological features were formed by wave action over millennia and now provide habitat for various marine species. Approaching them by swimming allows close observation of the rich life clinging to the rocks just above and below the waterline.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
No facilities exist on Benidorm Island – no shops, toilets, or fresh water. Visitors must bring everything they need and take all waste back to the mainland. Essential items include:
Plenty of water – more than you think you'll need, as the Mediterranean sun and physical activity increase dehydration. Sun protection is crucial, including reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and a cover-up. The island offers minimal shade, and hours of exposure can result in serious sunburn.
Comfortable shoes with good grip are essential for exploring beyond the landing area. The rocky terrain punishes poor footwear choices, and the paths can be challenging even in proper hiking shoes. Bringing water shoes or reef walkers allows comfortable transition between land exploration and swimming.
Snorkeling gear dramatically enhances the experience. While rental equipment is available on some boats, bringing your own mask ensures proper fit and comfort. A snorkel and fins transform a simple swim into an underwater safari.
Timing your visit can make a significant difference in enjoyment. Early morning boats beat the heat and crowds, allowing more comfortable exploration and better wildlife observation. Midday visits coincide with the strongest sun but also the clearest underwater visibility for snorkeling. Late afternoon returns offer spectacular views of sunset behind the Benidorm skyline.
Conservation and Respect
As a protected natural reserve, Benidorm Island requires visitors to follow certain guidelines. Feeding wildlife is prohibited, as human food disrupts natural behaviors and can harm animals. Collecting any natural materials – rocks, shells, plants, or animals – is forbidden. Visitors should stay on marked paths where they exist and avoid disturbing nesting birds, particularly during breeding season.
The island's fragile ecosystem has survived precisely because of protection measures. By following guidelines and treating the environment with respect, visitors help ensure that future generations can enjoy this unique natural heritage. The boat operators reinforce these messages, and most visitors appreciate that the island's appeal depends on its continued protection.
