Lobos Island

Lobos Island lies 2 km off the coast of Fuerteventura and 8km from Fuerteventura. Its entire coastline stretches for just under 14 km and encircles the 5 sq. km nature reserve. The formation of Lobos belongs to the Pleistocene era and is dominated by the basaltic lava fields partially covered in some sectors by organic sands.Many years ago the Island was home to a large population of seals, ‘Lobos Del Mar’ (wolves of the sea) which is where its name originates. The ‘Montana de la Caldera‘ is the highest point on the island and rises 127 metres above sea level.

Lobos is home to many different types of plants, animals and birds, some of which can’t be found anywhere else on the planet. The view back to Corralejo dunes, especially on a clear day is spectacular.
The cristal clear lagoons are ideal for snorkeling and fishing but don’t forget to take planty of drinking water and an umbrella as there isn’t much shade from the sun. If you’re little more energetic then take a stout pair of walking boots and binoculars and see if you can spot any of the rare birds that visit the island including egrets, petrols and culews.
Some other things to look out for during your visit to Lobos are the volcanic buildings (edificios volcanicos) on the north coast, the little ovens (los hornitos) and the lighthouse saltmarshes.

Fauna

In days gone by Lobos was home to dense populations of seals – ‘lobos del mar’ (Sea Wolves) hence the island’s name.
Today it’s home to different seabirds that nest in the cliffs and rocks such as la pardela cenicienta (Cory’s Shearwater) Calonectris diomedea, la pardela chica (Little Shearwater) Puffinus Assimilis, el paiño commún (Storm Petrel) Hydrobates Pelagicus, el petrel de bulwer (Bulwer’s Petrel) Bulweria Bulwerii, el guincho (Osprey) Pandion Haliaetus ssp. haliaetus, or the gaviota patiamarilla (Caspian Gull) Larus Cachinnans.

Other birds to look out for are the extremely rare and endangered hubera canaria (Hubara Bustard) Chlamydotis undulata Fuerteventurae, el corredor (Cream Coloured Cursor) Cursorius Cursor and el alcaudón (Great Grey Shrike) Lanius Excubitor amongst others.

With luck and good timing you could be witness to the arrival of migratory birds such as charrán commún (Common Tern) Sterna Hirundo Hirundo, las garzas (Blue Heron) Ardea sp. and garcetas (Egret Heron) Egretta sp., los zarapitos (Curlew) Numenius sp., etc

Other fauna are the lagartija (Haria Lizard) Gallotia Atlantica, el perenquen (Moorish or Crocodile Gecko) Tarentola Mauritanica and el conejo (Rabbit) Oryctolagus Cuniculus

Flora

Species that are well adapted to high salinity dominate the island.

There’s over 130 species of vegetation some of which are unique to the island

Thee Flora jewel is La Siempreviva, Limonium ovalifolium canariense – endemic on the island, which together with La Uvilla de Mar Zygophyllum fontanesii, the saltmarsh Sarcocornia fruticosa and other siemprevivas Limonium papillatum & L. Tuberculum constitute the most representative of Las Lagunitas.

Other halófilas present are: el salado lanudo Chenoleoides tomentosa, la aulaga Launaea arborescens, el balancón Traganum moquinii, el espino Lycium intricatum, la tabaiba amarga Euphorbia obtusifolia, etc

The magnificent examples of Tabaiba Dulce E. balsamifera are outstanding.

A visit to the island by Glass Bottom Boat is a must.

Lobos by Glass Bottom Boat
Ferry; 15Euro

Corralejo: 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 15:30
Lobos: 10:15 11:15 12:15 13:15 16:00
Remember that Lobos is a Protected Nature Zone and that you can contribute to its conservation by following the rules and guidelines below:

Permitted Activities Cycle only in the General and Moderate Zones.

Walk only on the paths.
Prohibited Activities
Disembarking onto the island by any point other than El Puertito (The Little Port).
Introducing domestic animals dogs, cats etc).
Walking off the paths
Making fires beyond the General Use Zones
Making noise that will disturb the tranquil ambience
Hunting
Littering, leaving or burying waste, rubbish or debris
Altering, destroying or removing materials or objects belonging to the island like biological material

In general any activity that affects the nature or landscape of the park
Disobediance of the above will result in penalisation