What to do in Isla de Lobos. Wild nature in its essence.
Can you picture an island lost in the Atlantic Ocean, wild and practically without the trace of man? Well let us tell you that this island exists and you can easily visit it during your holiday. It is Isla de Lobos, a 4.5 square kilometres long island which is 2 kilometres from the coast of Fuerteventura and 8 from Lanzarote. It is a Protected Natural Area in its totality, one of the first of the archipelago along with Dunas de Corralejo.
If you love nature and you’re up to visiting an authentic and the wild spot, you should definitely get to this islet. It will surprise you!
How to visit Isla de Lobos
There are pleasant excursions from Corralejo (Fuerteventura) or Marina Rubicón (Lanzarote), sailing on a catamaran to the islet and then in zodiac to the shore of the island. There you are free to enjoy your time and explore the surroundings, or relax on one of its pristine beaches. On some of these excursions, you can also eat a delicious paella on board, enjoy free drinks bar or practice water activities because they lend you dive goggles and even kayaks.
What to do where there is nothing to do
Isla de Lobos has a very interesting interpretation centre, where you will be informed of the natural values of this protected area. In addition, there is an island mock-up that will be very useful to guide you if you decide to explore the territory. There you can also discover the reason for the name of the island.
Do you know why it’s called Isla de Lobos? Formerly, it was the home of a great colony of South American sea lions (in Spanish ‘lobos marinos’) and monk seals, but they ended up being extinguished. Today there are two mind-sets faced. One that defends the repopulation of this species in the area and another that is against. These animals consume daily between 30 and 40 kilos of fish each, reason why the majority of fishermen of the zone don’t want to see reduce marine resources.
La Concha Beach
The main beach of the islet and, for us, the most spectacular, is called La Concha. It is a 10-minute walk from the nearest quay to Corralejo and just over 15 minutes from Puertito de Lobos. It is a beach of fine sand, wide, comfortable, and semi-circular. Its waters are practically always calm and they are very crystalline, so much that they reflect an impressive range of blues.
Puertito de Lobos
Puertito de Lobos is an area with small fishing houses and a unique wooden quay. The water is also very transparent, so much so that it looks like a natural aquarium. The harbour is full of fish and the sea is practically always very quiet, with occasional fishermen or tourists anchored. In this area you will find the only restaurant on the island. Fried fish or paella are usually the dishes of the day. If you decide to visit Isla de Lobos without any organized excursion, we recommend that you book your menu just when you arrive, otherwise might not find a space.
La Caldera volcano
Before sunbathing and enjoying the peace and quiet, you can take a trip to the highest peak of the islet. La Caldera volcano has 127 meters and to climb it and reach the summit is really comforting. From the crown you can see Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, and feel a true essence of the Atlantic.
Lighthouse
Through a dirt path, you can move to the other end of the island, towards the old lighthouse. It was inhabited until 1968, and now just works automatically. To reach it you can only do it by the marked trail. It will take about two hours round trip at a gentle pace. The route can be circular. The east side allows you to go closer to the seashore, while the west is a more inland route. You must follow the itinerary at all times. You cannot walk as you please. It is a protected area with a sensitive ecosystem that must be respected to the maximum.
It is a corner of great natural landscape value. Visiting it will undoubtedly be the icing on your unforgettable holidays in the Canary Islands. Do not miss it!
