An oasis: that's it wolves island; both for those who have the joy of having known it and for those who, out of curiosity as a traveler or on the recommendation of others, end up discovering this place and write it down as a possible future destination.
If you are about to travel to Fuerteventura, we invite you to include this paradise among the essentials of your route. To get there, you must take a ferry at the Corralejo pier and you will embark on an excursion guided by professionals. The journey is about twenty minutes. Before you start, know five curiosities about the Islet of Lobos, one of the most precious corners.
1. A small island, almost uninhabited
Officially, on Isla de Lobos, only four people live. An affirmation that is not at all exaggerated, as indicated in the most recent census. These are the descendants of Antoñito “El Farero”, one of the most important characters in the area, known for having lived there for more than fifty years —he is a native of La Graciosa but came to the islet in 1936 to replace the old lighthouse keeper—.
Today some of their children and grandchildren are the ones who run the only restaurant what is in the area.
2. His name, in honor of monk seals
They are currently in serious danger of extinction but in the past it was common to see them around the Mediterranean and in the Atlantic, in North Africa. monk seals, sea lions that seek the most protected coasts, also inhabited the Canary Islands, and one of its islets, in Fuerteventura, paid tribute to this wonderful species with its name: Isla de Lobos.
Even as soon as they disembark, travelers come across some bluish figures of monk seals. Unfortunately, because of man—and his mania for interfering with nature—these animals have disappeared from these waters. There is data that indicates that in the 19th century, a group of fishermen decided to kill them because they thought that their presence ruined their fishing opportunities.
Much earlier, at the beginning of the fifteenth century, a settlement of Norman conquerors fed on its meat and, in addition, dedicated itself to the manufacture of footwear with its skin.
It should be noted that the colony of sea lions was huge, possibly the largest of all the Canary Islands.
3. A protected nature reserve
If you decide ship to Isla de Lobos, you should know that you are going to a place declared a nature reserve since 1982.
Until May 2007, the Island had private ownership, which was transferred to the Spanish Ministry of the Environment, and since then it has been responsible for ensuring that its areas are respected.
Also, Isla de Lobos, is a Protected Natural Area, which has been part of the Fuerteventura Biosphere Reserve since 2009. Therefore, to access it is necessary to request a permit that seeks to control the influx of tourists — only a maximum of 200 people can arrive daily.
4. Magnificent variety of flora and fauna
Isla de Lobos is home to many different species of plants and animals, making it a popular destination for ecotourists. As for the flora, it is home to more than 130 plant species. Its hawthorns, gorse and matamoros are famous, as well as the tabaibas and immortelles.
It has fantastic seabeds considered to be one of the most important underwater reserve areas.
5. A little piece of Rome on Isla de Lobos
In 2012, the remains of a Roman site were found on the island of Lobos.
Recently, a team from the University of La Laguna carried out an investigation that shows that a workshop was erected in one of the spaces in which the Stramonitis haemastoma o Thais haemastoma, molluscs that have the special characteristic of releasing a purple liquid. This was what the Romans dedicated themselves to marketing, and their interest in this color lies in the fact that for them it is a symbol of power.
Surely with these data you whet your appetite to visit this paradise. Now it's your turn to discover it. We hope that you will be the one to tell us laterAny other curiosity of the wonderful Isla de Lobos.
