A British expat living in Benidorm has warned tourists to avoid a local attraction, labeling it a "complete and utter rip off." Harry Poulton, who has resided in the Costa Blanca area for several years, took to TikTok to share his frustration about what he considers a mistake many visitors make.
Filming from the beach, Harry pointed to a small rocky island about 2.2 miles offshore. "I know it's a bit of a big statement, but it's just a waste of money," he said. "Am I wrong to say it is just a complete and utter rip off?"
Peacock Island: Not Worth the Hype?
The island in question is Peacock Island, also known as Benidorm Island. Harry explained that visitors must pay for a boat ride to reach it, only to find "basically nothing on it." He added, "In fact I don't even know why it is called Peacock Island... I don't even think it has got peacocks on it. The last time I went there it was just full of pigeons and seagulls and their poo."
What's the Problem?
According to Harry, the island has only one attraction: an "overpriced" cafe where visitors feel "stuck" waiting for the next boat. "I just don't see the big benefit of going there," he said. "It's something you should probably do once - and once only. And that's if you can be bothered."
He also criticized the "very rough" boat journey and the steep prices at the cafe. "I understand why it's expensive," he admitted. "Because it's the only cafe on the island. I just don't know. There's so many wonderful things to do in Benidorm... we don't need to hop over to Peacock Island to see a load of seagulls you can see on Benidorm beach for free."
Mixed Reactions from Tourists
Opinions on the island are divided. One TikTok user agreed with Harry, writing, "Agreed. Do it once for the views and boat trip then don't bother." Another disagreed, saying, "Nice little reasonably priced boat trip I thought, not a lot at the other end apart from a drink and plenty of seagulls, but we're glad we did it." A third added, "I agree... done it once wouldn't bother again. The best part was the boat trip."
On TripAdvisor, the island holds a 3.7 out of 5 rating from over 1,500 reviews. A recent review reads: "Really enjoyed this three hour visit to the island for €23. Got the 10am sailing on the smaller boat, has nice sail round the bay, and on arrival we got onto the submarine and had lovely 20 minute tour of the reef and seeing the fish. We then hiked to top of island and enjoyed the stunning view, came back for a much needed cold beer at the nice cafe then killed 30 mins or so before getting the bigger glass bottom boat back."
