A day on the island of Lobos in Fuerteventura

Theisland of Lobos, or the island of the wolves, is a small island less than 2 km off the coast of Corralejo, to the north of Fuerteventura, and 8 km from the island of Lanzarote. It is thought that Lobos appeared around 6,000 or 8,000 years ago, following the formation of one of the island's three volcanoes.

It is a quiet island with an official population of 4. It has one lighthouse, the Martiño lighthouse, which was manned until 1968, when it was automated. This lighthouse, built in 1863, was the first dwelling on the island of Lobos. Of paramount importance, it provided supplies and drinking water for the island's entire population.

The island of Lobos has been protected as a nature reserve since 1982. In fact, its almost uninhabited lands have been able to preserve all the diversity of its flora and fauna. Lobos was initially included in the Corralejo Dunes Reserve, but in 1994 the parks were separated into two distinct entities.

The island of Lobos is also considered a special protection area for birds, due to the great diversity of the bird population. Similarly, the seabed surrounding the island is just as protected as the surface, where fishing is prohibited. Finally, within the small island itself, zones have been mapped to ensure the best possible conservation of certain ecosystems on the island: some places are completely inaccessible to the general public.

The island of Lobos is protected from motorised vehicles. As a result, all visits can be made on foot or by bike. When the boat drops you off at the island's small jetty, El muelle, you can start by exploring the Lobos Visitor Centre. There, you'll find information about the birth of the island, its geological formations and its flora and fauna.

Now it's time to set off and explore the magnificent scenery. The programme includes heavenly beaches, a visit to the lighthouse and a hike up the Caldera volcano, the highest point on Lobos.

La Caldera volcano

On the west coast of Lobos, the Caldera volcano is the island's highest peak. It is part of the volcanic chain that crosses Fuerteventura and includes Bayuyo and Calderon de Hondo. At 127 metres above sea level, it's a popular walk for visitors to the nature park. The Caldera is located in a protected area and requires permission from the municipality to climb, although nobody seems to mind.

If you're a keen hiker, the ascent of the Caldera volcano is a lovely walk with a difference in altitude of around a hundred metres, rewarding you with a magnificent view of Fuerteventura and Corralejo to the south, and the Martiño lighthouse and the island of Lanzarote to the north. The climb takes around 20 minutes, and all you have to do is follow the track up to the summit. From the top, you can see that half the crater has been invaded by the sea. The scenery is simply majestic.

The hiking circuit around the island

The ascent of La Caldera volcano is part of the itinerary around the island of Lobos. This signposted trail is the most popular and the most enjoyable. The loop takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete, if you walk slowly and take photo breaks. The total difference in altitude is 140 metres. The trail is accessible to all, whatever the season.

Find out more about the trail around Lobos.

The hamlet of Lobos: El puertito

If you turn right after getting off the boat, you'll come to the only hamlet on the island of Lobos: El Puertito. Apart from a few fishermen's cottages, there isn't much in the hamlet, but it's an interesting little stroll along the Caleta de la Rasca cove.

The lagoons

The lagunitas are a small area in the south-east of the island. In the middle of the arid, lunar volcanic landscape is a lush area of plants and moss. Indeed, the waves of the Atlantic Ocean regularly invade this spot, which means that a very special type of flora has taken up residence in this little green setting. It is a favourite spot for birds, who love to come here to rest and refuel in the small Lobos lagoons.

The Martiño lighthouse

On a clear day, the Martiño lighthouse on the northern tip of the island of Lobos offers a view of the island of Lanzarote.

There are no hotels on the island of Lobos. However, there does appear to be an area dedicated to camping: La Carpinteira. The campsite is located between the jetty and the hamlet. It is free but has nofacilities. Visitors are not permitted to stay for more than 3 consecutive nights. To camp on Lobos, you will need to request permission from the Cabildo de Fuerteventura's environmental agency. You can contact them by telephone on 00 34 928 862 300.

The easiest way is to spend the night in Corralejo, from where you can board the ferry to Lobos.

👉 Applying for a visitor's permit

To visit the island of Lobos, you need a permit. You can apply for a permit on the official website of the Cabildo de Fuerteventura.

⛵ How do I get to Lobos from Corralejo?

From Corralejo marina, several companies offer boat crossings. The journey takes 15 minutes and costs €16 for adults and €10 for children. You can book your boat tickets and apply for a visitor's permit on the official website of the island of Lobos.

🍴 Where to eat on Lobos?

If you haven't planned your meal, you can book a meal at the island's only restaurant, Chiringuito, which is located in the hamlet. The owner of the restaurant is the son of the last keeper of the Lobos lighthouse, Antoñito el Farero. We recommend that you book your table in the morning, as soon as you arrive.