Lobos Island: frequently asked questions

You cannot book it in advance: the official site only enables applications within the 5 days before your visit. The calendar shows today and the next four days, and will not go further. It is a maximum, not a minimum — you will read that you must apply "at least 5 days in advance", and it is exactly the other way round. If your trip is three weeks away, there is nothing you can do today except book a boat that handles it for you.

No. The Natural Park has a carrying capacity of 200 simultaneous visitors set by its management plan, and since 15 January 2019 the Cabildo has required a compulsory prior authorisation to enforce it. Boat operators ask for the authorisation and it can also be requested from you during your stay on the island.

Nothing: the Cabildo authorisation is free. What you pay for is the boat. And if you would rather the operator handled the permit for you, the difference is €2 per person on the ticket price (€19 with processing versus €17 without).

The ferry from Corralejo costs €17 per adult (€11 for children 4–11, free under 4) without permit processing, and €19 (€13 and €2) with it included. The water taxi is €16 with the permit already included. The snorkelling version starts at €27. Full detail in times and prices.

In summer it leaves Corralejo at 10:00, 11:15, 13:00, 15:30 and 16:30, with 12:00 and 13:45 added on the busiest days. In winter there are only three departures: 10:00, 11:15 and 13:00 — the last of the day is the 13:00. The crossing takes 20 minutes. See all the times.

The permit is granted in four-hour slots: morning (10:00 to 14:00) or afternoon (14:00 to 18:00). With the ferry you get 1 to 4 hours ashore depending on the outbound sailing you choose. With the water taxi the return is agreed on the day, so you decide within your slot.

Yes, and children need their own authorisation too: the form distinguishes adults, children (under 18) and babies (under 3), and all of them count towards the quota. On the boat, children aged 4–11 pay €11 (€13 with permit processing) and under-4s travel free (€2 with processing).

No. Pets are not allowed on the ferry or the water taxi to Lobos Island.

There is exactly one place to eat: the Lobos Antoñito El Farero beach bar in El Puertito, known for its paella — and it closes on Saturdays and Sundays. There is no supermarket or shops. It is worth booking before you go, and if you are visiting at the weekend, bring food and water from Corralejo.

Plenty of water, sun cream, a cap and sunglasses (the island is low, volcanic and has no shade), closed shoes if you plan to walk on the lava field, a snorkel mask and a bag for your rubbish: park rules require you to take it away. And your authorisation on your phone. Full list in what to see on the island.

The permit is exactly the same, because the authorisation is independent of your transport. That said, the scheduled sailings to the island leave from Corralejo harbour, so from Lanzarote the usual way is to cross to Corralejo first and board there. More detail in times and prices.

This is a crossing of La Bocaina, the strait between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, and wind and sea state rule: in rough seas sailings can be altered or cancelled for safety, which is always the operator’s decision. Check the live wind on the island before you leave.

The ferry allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity; the water taxi, up to 48 hours before. With less notice, or if you do not show up, there is no refund. The Cabildo authorisation, being free, costs you nothing if you end up not going.

No. This guide covers Lobos Island in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands (Spain), 2 km off Corralejo. There are other islands with the same name in Veracruz and Tuxpan (Mexico), Punta del Este (Uruguay) and the Galápagos (Ecuador), which have nothing to do with this one or with this permit system.