Lobos Island is two kilometres from Fuerteventura and a world away from Corralejo. It's a volcanic islet of about 4.7 km², a natural park since 1982, with a turquoise lagoon, a 19th-century lighthouse and a volcano whose crater opens to the sea. Nobody lives there and there are no roads. That's exactly why access is limited: without the council permit you can't go ashore, and in summer 2026 the council stepped up controls and surveillance.
Book the essentials
| Activity | Rating | From |
|---|---|---|
| Lobos return ferry with park entry Book | 4.7★ (1,425) | €17 |
| Lobos catamaran with lunch, drinks and snorkelling Book | 4.8★ (1,183) | €75 |
| Corralejo walking tour with food tastings Book | 4.9★ (515) | €18 |
The permit: step by step
Lobos has required prior authorisation since 2019, and the current system runs on lobospass.com, the official website of the Cabildo de Fuerteventura.
- Go to lobospass.com when booking opens for your date. The council and the Ferry Lobos company say you can apply 3 days ahead; some websites say 5. Don't rely on either: check the site itself a few days before.
- Choose your slot: morning (10:00-14:00) or afternoon (14:00-18:00). Each has a quota of 200 people, under the islet's management plan.
- Enter the details of up to three people per request: name, surname and ID card or passport. For larger groups, make several requests.
- Save the QR code on your phone or print it. You'll be asked for it when you land and it can be checked on the island.
The permit is free, personal and non-transferable. Don't pay websites offering to "handle it" for you. The council has announced a future access fee, with no amount set yet.
What about tours? Some ferry tickets include park entry (like the return ticket with entry€17 · 4.7) and some catamarans handle the permit. Always ask when booking and check it appears in your confirmation.
Boats from Corralejo
They all leave from Corralejo harbour and the crossing takes 15-20 minutes. There are several companies (Ferry Lobos, Nortour, Corralejo Charter), plus water taxis and catamarans.
- Price: with Ferry Lobos, €17 return for adults, €11 for children aged 4 to 11, free under 3 (Canary residents €14 and €9), fees and insurance included.
- Ferry Lobos winter timetable (11 Sep-13 Jun): outbound at 9:45, 11:00, 12:30 and 13:30; return at 14:00, 16:15 and 17:15.
- Summer timetable (13 Jun-10 Sep): more departures, from 9:45 to 15:30, with returns until 18:15.
- You choose your return when you board on the way out and get your return boarding pass.
The key is to match the boat to your slot: with a morning permit, take the first boat (9:45) and return at 14:00; with an afternoon permit, leave around 13:30 and take the last boat back. Times change with sea conditions and season: confirm them when you buy.
What to see on Lobos
- La Concha beach (also called La Calera): a lagoon of white sand and still water five minutes from the jetty. The best place to swim.
- El Puertito: fishermen's huts and rock pools by the jetty; the only restaurant is here.
- Las Lagunitas and the Marrajo salt pans: wetlands and old salt pans on the way to the lighthouse.
- Martiño lighthouse (1865): at the northern tip, with views of Lanzarote.
- La Caldera (127 m): the highest point, a volcano with its crater open to the sea. A short, steep climb with views of the Corralejo Dunes.
Recommended route: jetty, El Puertito, Las Lagunitas, Martiño lighthouse, La Caldera and back to La Concha for a swim. It takes about three hours at an easy pace, with no shade. It's also the start of the first Fuerteventura stage of the GR 131 long-distance trail.
Eating on Lobos
There's only one restaurant, by El Puertito, known for its fish and paella. It fills up: if you want to eat there, put your name down when you arrive. Always bring water and food just in case.
Park rules
- Walk only on the marked trails; some sections may be temporarily closed.
- Not allowed: camping, drones, taking stones, sand or shells, shellfish gathering and spearfishing.
- No pets on land.
- Take your rubbish back to Corralejo.
What we DON'T recommend
- Buying the ferry and forgetting the permit. They're two separate things.
- Booking a return that doesn't fit your slot. If you overstay, you risk a fine.
- Going without water or a hat. There's no shade and the sun is strong even with the wind.
- Going when there's a big swell. Boats may cancel or change times; keep a spare day.
- Staying at La Concha the whole time. The loop to the lighthouse and La Caldera is the best of the island.
In one sentence
Request your permit at lobospass.com as soon as it opens, match the ferry to your slot and give Lobos three hours on foot: it's the most beautiful trip in northern Fuerteventura.
