Lobos Island National Park

The island of Lobos is one of the smaller islands of the Canary archipelago, which is located off the northern coast of Fuerteventura and is clearly visible from the east and south coasts of Lanzarote. The entire island is declared a nature reserve (Parque Natural del Islote de Lobos). It attracts hikers and naturalists.

Lobos is an uninhabited island. There is a small restaurant with workers who are coming here every day from the neighboring island of Fuerteventura.

Lobos Island (Wolf Island) was named after a large number of sea wolves, also called monk seals, that lived here in the earlier.

Monk seals were the only inhabitants of the island when it was discovered by the Spanish conquerors of the Canary archipelago in the fifteenth century, but since the advent of man, these animals have been hunted en masse by sailors and fishermen who saw them as a source of food, fat and skin. As a result of this hunting, the species eventually died out on the island, and now their presence is only occasional. It is from them that the island got its name.

The island was one of the first natural areas of the Canary Islands to be designated as a nature park in 1982. Later, the island was also recognized as a Special Protection Area for birds, and the island is home to many marine species of migratory birds.

There are more than 130 species of plants, including Limonium ovalifolium, endemic to the island, and Tetraena fontanesii, which is very attractive for its shape and color.

There is a network of trails along the Lobos, with a total length of 14 km. The crossing trails are marked with signposts indicating the time it takes to pass them. The highest peak of the island is Montana La Caldera (127 m).

It has a wonderful view to Fuerteventura.

On the way to Mount Montaña La Caldera, you will find information boards informing you that Lobos is an important nesting site for birds and that no noise is allowed so as not to frighten the birds that sit on the eggs.

Usually tourists come to Lobos in organized groups from the islands of Lanzarote or Fuerteventura. The arrival point is the small port of El Puertito with its crystal clear waters of a turquoise hue. From there you can go to the lighthouse at Punta Martino (tourists are asked not to leave the marked trails).

You can see Las Lagunillas with small salt lakes and walk to the northernmost tip of the island, where you have a beautiful view of Lanzarote.

In 1903, the writer Josephine Pla was born in Faro Martigno Lighthouse, as the memorial plaque announces.

The bust of the writer you can see at the visitor's center of the reserve.

Also tourists can stop at Playa de la Caleta beach and have lunch at a local restaurant.