Lobos Island (Isla de Lobos) is a small but beautiful islet in Fuerteventura, Spain and was even declared a Biosphere Reserve in 2009. The impressive coastal landscapes of this island lure many travelers, who often take advantage of their time in Fuerteventura to catch a ferry to Lobos Island. That’s exactly what we did during our Canary Islands vacation.
The island is a protected area, so the number of visitors that can enter per day is limited. This means that you’ll need a Lobos Island permit as well as a ticket for the ferry to Isla de Lobos from Fuerteventura. Most ferry tickets don’t include the permit, so you must request it separately. Fortunately, we found this option, which includes both.
In this guide, I’ll explain all you need to know about how to get to Lobos Island by ferry or tour. You can also read through our article on Isla de Lobos, Fuerteventura to see all the places you can visit there.
Lobos Island permit
If you want to take a trip to Lobos Island, you must present the proper authorization since access is limited to 200 people per day. The Lobos Island permit, also called the LoboPass, is free and non-transferable, and it’s managed separately from the ferry ticket. Another option is to book this tour, which includes both a round-trip ticket on the Lobos Island ferry and the LoboPass.
Also, it’s important to check the Lobos Island ferry times since there are only two trips per day, one at 10 am and the other at 2 pm. You could also go to Lobos by water taxi, which has its own schedule that you can see here.
You must request your permit on this website, and also specify both the day and time of your visit. Travelers can request permits to Isla de Lobos up to 5 days before their trip, so I recommend doing it as soon as possible, especially if you’re traveling during peak season. Also, if you’re traveling as a group, keep in mind that you can only request up to three permits in one transaction.
Lobos Island from Fuerteventura – Corralejo ferry to Isla de Lobos
The ferry to Lobos Island departs from the Port of Corralejo and arrives at the Port of Isla de Lobos. Corralejo will be easy to find since it’s one of the top places to visit in Fuerteventura. Once there, you can either take the ferry to Lobos Island from Corralejo or opt for the water taxi. A third option is to book a tour, like the one I mentioned above.
How to get to Lobos Island by ferry
The most popular way to get to the island from Fuerteventura is by taking the Lobos Island ferry. If you already have the permit, you can book a round-trip ferry through Direct Ferries.
If you’d rather not go through the process of requesting a permit and organizing a ferry ride, I recommend booking this excursion, which is the Lobos Island tour we took. We didn’t have any problems, and it was quite comfortable because the transportation and permit were already taken care of.
Another option is this tour, which is one of the best tours from Fuerteventura and includes your ferry ticket, Lobos Island permit, and 30 minutes of snorkeling. It’s definitely one of the best options if you want to explore the islet’s seabed during your visit.
How to get to Lobos by water taxi
Another convenient way to get to the island from Fuerteventura is by taking the Isla de Lobos water taxi. This motorboat travels from the Port of Corralejo to the Isla de Lobos Port in less than 10 minutes.
You can book the Lobos water taxi through this link. Keep in mind that if you do this option, you still have to request a permit, which you can do here.
Excursions to Lobos Island
You may also want to tour Lobos Island to see all the best sights and places. In that case, I recommend this guided tour, which includes round-trip transportation by ferry and a guided hike through Isla de Lobos. It’s the best way to experience this island and explore its unique landscapes.
Ferry to Lobos Island from Lanzarote
Fuerteventura is the main connection point to Lobos Island, but if you’re not going to be in Fuerteventura, you can take a trip to Lobos Island from Lanzarote, specifically Puerto del Carmen. While there are fewer options from Lanzarote, this tour is one of the best.
If you do this day trip, you’ll depart from Puerto del Carmen and take a water taxi to Isla de Lobos. The highlight of this tour is that you’ll have the chance to see dolphins in Lanzarote since many cetaceans inhabit the waters around the island.
However, keep in mind that this tour only approaches the coast of Lobos Island, without disembarking. So, while you won’t walk around the island, you’ll get lovely panoramic views of the Isla de Lobos nature reserve, all while watching dolphins and whales.
Can you take the Isla de Lobos ferry without a permit?
You cannot visit the island without a Lobos Island permit. Since this is a protected natural reserve, travelers are required to obtain authorization. Moreover, there is a daily limit of 200 people, so you should request a permit before your trip.
If you don’t have much luck getting a permit, you can still do a boat or kayak tour and see Lobos Island from the sea. Several excursions include snorkeling and other water activities, and my top recommendation is this catamaran tour. It departs from Corralejo and circles the coast of Lobos Island, where you’ll have time to snorkel, swim, kayak, or paddle surf. For me, it’s one of the best things to do in Corralejo.
Lobos Island ferry and excursion prices
To help you decide which option is best for you (the Lobos Island ferry, water taxi, or tour), I have a price comparison table. This way, you can see which options include the Lobos Island permit, as well as things like duration, departure point, and more.
PRICE | DURATION | ARRIVAL ON LOBOS ISLAND | PERMIT | GUIDE | TRANSPORT | OTHER ACTIVITIES | DEPARTS FROM |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$19.50 | 1-4 hours | Yes | Yes | No | Ferry | None | Fuerteventura |
|
$17.70 | 2-4 hours | Yes | No | No | Water taxi | None | Fuerteventura |
|
$27.10 | 1.5-4 hours | Yes | Yes | No | Ferry | Snorkeling | Fuerteventura |
|
$69.60 | 8 hours | Yes | No | Yes | Ferry | Hiking | Fuerteventura |
|
$64.92 | 5 hours | No | No | Yes | Motorboat | Dolphin/whale-watching | Lanzarote |
|
$76.70 | 4 hours | No | No | Yes | Catamaran | Snorkeling, kayaking, paddle-surfing | Fuerteventura |
|
LOBOS ISLAND FROM FUERTEVENTURA - FERRY AND TOURS |
Now you should have all the information you need on how to get to Lobos Island! There are several options, so I’m sure you’ll find one that suits your schedule and preferences. Don’t forget that if you want to know more about this intriguing islet, you can read our guide about things to do on Lobos Island.
Of course, if you have any questions, you can leave me a comment below and I’ll try my best to help you out. I hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip to Isla de Lobos!