Isla de Lobos

Isla de Lobos is a small island in the Atlantic Ocean, north of Fuerteventura. Politically it belongs to the municipality of La Oliva in the province of Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain.

Description

This is a small island about 4.5 km² located on the northeast of the island of Fuerteventura. The arm of the sea that separates them is called The River in the Strait of Bocaina, where the depth does not exceed 10 meters. The island can be seen clearly from Corralejo.

Its name was given because in the past sea lions lived on the island, also known as monk seals, which are now in danger of extinction.  Fishermen were taking the fish and are killing the species through their greed by reducing the marine resources of the area. Each of these animals require between 30 and 40kg of fish per day. Efforts are underway to reintroduce sea lions, despite the refusal of the fishermen.

La Concha beach in the Isla de Lobos
It is part of the Parque Natural de las Dunas de Corralejo and Isla de Lobos. It houses over 130 plant species and several species of birds, especially the herring gull, the Great Bustard (at certain times of the year) and shearwater Cinderella.  The Seabed is an underwater reserve and contains a rich ecology.

Its highest point is located in La Caldera at 127m.

Population and Tourism

The island was inhabited until 1968 by Farer, Antonio Hernandez Paez (Antonito the Farer) and his family. The lighthouse was restored and today operates automatically.
Today visitors to the island are fishermen, tourists, swimmers and divers. There is a regular shipping service with links to Corralejo. There is a restaurant run by the descendants of Antonito and a camping area.   Lobos was the birthplace of the Spanish writer, Josefina Pla.