UltraOceanMan Tabarca

Local legend maintains that the Apostle Saint Paul once set foot on the island of Tabarca, a narrative that has shaped the identity of these waters for centuries. While the saint’s presence remains a matter of faith, the tactical importance of this maritime crossroads is etched into the seabed. As you prepare for the 21,000-meter UltraOceanMan Tabarca on May 28, 2027, you are essentially retracing the logistical challenges that have defined this channel since antiquity. In 460 AD, the Roman Emperor Majorian massed a massive fleet at the nearby Portus Illicitanus to strike the Vandals in North Africa, only to see the entire armada consumed by fire while anchored in the harbor. The ghost of that industrial ambition is still present; archaeological excavations near the port have unearthed a Roman fish-salting factory, reminding swimmers that this was once the beating heart of trade for the ancient city of Illici.

Navigating history and currents

Navigating these waters requires an awareness of the same strategic geography that saw Count Teodomiro station his Visigoth fleet here during the reign of Sisebuto to repel Byzantine incursions in 754. The race route demands endurance and respect for the maritime conditions that dictated naval movements for over a millennium. While casual swimmers might opt for the shorter XIX Tabarca-Santa Pola Crossing to test these currents, the UltraOceanMan is a specialized challenge designed for those prepared to spend hours in the open sea. The course runs parallel to the Cabo de Santa Pola, a rare fossilized reef of Mio-Pliocene origin that anchors the coastline. Throughout your swim, you may glimpse the 1552 Torre de Escaletes, an eight-meter masonry tower built to spot enemy ships lurking near the island, or the 1858 lighthouse standing high above the cliffs. The seabed below is protected as a marine reserve, ensuring that the biodiversity you encounter—from sea grasses to varied Mediterranean species—remains undisturbed. Even the shore-side scenery echoes this history, with the 16th-century Castillo-Fortaleza standing as a reminder of the era when Berber pirate raids necessitated heavy coastal defenses. If you find yourself swimming near the salt marshes during the race, keep an eye out for flamingos and black-winged stilts in the wetlands, a final contrast between the volatile history of these waters and the tranquil nature of the modern protected coastline.