Corralejo: Snorkeling on Lobos Island & Return Ferry Ticket

Lobos Island gives you two good reasons to leave Fuerteventura’s beaches for a day: clear Atlantic water filled with salema, sargo, and colorful vieja canaria, plus a dry volcanic island you can explore on foot. The short ferry crossing is easy, and the boat trip around the southern coast adds a pleasant second view of the island.

I like the freedom here. You can hike to La Caldera, walk toward the lighthouse, or simply settle at La Concha Beach. I also like the friendly help from the Barco Majorero team, with staff such as Pablo and Susanna helping guests with directions and equipment. The main caution is the sea: wind and waves can make the snorkel hard for weaker swimmers, and Lobos offers almost no shade.

Key points to know before you book

• Two experiences in one day: You get a return ferry to Lobos plus a 10-minute coastal cruise and a 25-minute snorkel stop.
• Flexible return ferries: Choose from 14:20 or 17:00, with extra 16:00 and 18:00 departures from July through September.
• A dry, rugged island: La Concha Beach is close to the landing point, while La Caldera and the lighthouse require longer walks.
• Helpful crew: Pablo, Susanna, and the boat team have helped with parking advice, directions, equipment, and water safety.
• Bring your own supplies: There are no shops, and the only beach kiosk may be closed.
• Best for active visitors: You need to manage walking on rocky paths and be comfortable getting into the sea from a boat.

Why this Lobos Island trip is worth your day

At $31 per person, this is a strong-value outing if you want more than a simple ferry ride. A standard return boat gets you to Lobos, but this package adds the coastal cruise, a drink, snorkel equipment, and a guided-in-practice water stop without turning the day into a tightly managed group tour.

The real value comes from the combination. You see Lobos from the water, spend time on shore, and then return to the boat for a close look at the sea life. If you only want to lie on a beach, the extra snorkel element may not matter much. If you like a day with several small activities, the price makes good sense.

The trip is not a luxury cruise. The ferry is a traditional, family-run service, and the island is simple and exposed. That is part of the appeal. You get volcanic ground, open sea, a small fishing port, and a few marked paths rather than shops, resorts, or polished facilities.

Getting from Corralejo to Lobos in 20 minutes

Your day begins at the Naviera Nortour ticket office at the entrance to Corralejo port, beside La Lonja. Allow extra time if you are driving. Parking can be difficult, and missing the boat means you do not receive a refund.

The crossing takes about 20 minutes. The ride is short enough not to feel like a major transport commitment, yet long enough to give you views back toward Fuerteventura and across the water toward Lobos. The Barco Majorero is a small, family-run ferry, and the crew’s practical approach is one of the pleasant features of the outing.

If you choose a ferry before 13:00, you have time to walk around Lobos before the snorkel and minicruise at 13:20. If you take the 13:00 crossing, stay on board until the water activity begins. You can explore the island after snorkeling.

That timing matters. The early ferry is the better choice if you want to hike to the lighthouse or La Caldera and still enjoy the swim. The 13:00 option suits you if the snorkel is your main reason for booking and you prefer a later start.

El Puertito and the 10-minute coastal cruise

The boat leaves the landing area and follows part of Lobos’s southern coast toward El Puertito. The cruise takes about 10 minutes, so think of it as a short sightseeing ride rather than a full boat tour.

El Puertito is an old fishing port with a small white-sand beach and the island’s only restaurant. From the water, you get a different sense of Lobos. The island may look spare from the paths, but its coves and low coastline have a quiet, appealing character when viewed from a boat.

You receive a drink during this short ride. It is a small touch, but welcome in the sun, especially if you have already been walking. Do not count on buying more food or drinks later. The island has no shops, and the beach kiosk is not always open.

The 25-minute snorkel stop

After the cruise, the boat stops near the coast for about 25 minutes in clear water. You receive a mask and snorkel on board, then swim near the boat while looking for Canary Island fish.

The usual sights include salema, sargo, and vieja canaria, the colorful Canary wrasse. Crew members may place small amounts of bread in the water to draw fish near the boat, making it easier to see them without a long swim. This can create a lively scene, but fish may crowd close, so keep your movements calm and listen to the crew.

The water is not a coral reef setting. The seabed and fish life can feel fairly basic, with no promise of a wide range of species or dramatic underwater scenery. Still, the combination of clear water and fish around the boat makes this a good first snorkel for many people.

The conditions can change the experience. On calm days, the stop is relaxed and enjoyable. On windy days, waves can push you around, making it harder to swim back to the ladder. The crew provides pool noodles, life rings, and life jackets for people who are less confident in open water. A seven-year-old with limited swimming ability managed the activity with a life jacket and flotation help, but children still need close adult supervision.

Getting back aboard can be awkward when several people are in the water. If you are not a strong swimmer, stay close to the boat and use the flotation aids offered. Ask the crew for help before you feel tired. This is a sea activity, not a pool session.

Choosing between La Concha, La Caldera, and the lighthouse

Once you reach Lobos, you have several ways to use your free time. The easiest choice is La Concha Beach, also called La Caleta. It is about a seven-minute walk from the landing point and has a curved, shell-like shape.

La Concha is the best option if you want a simple swim and a little rest without committing to a long walk. The beach is attractive, but facilities are limited. Bring a towel, water, food, and sun protection rather than expecting a fully serviced beach.

For a bigger view, walk to La Caldera. The volcanic cone rises 127 meters and offers views toward Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. The round trip takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, so it fits comfortably into a longer visit but may compete with beach time if you take a later ferry.

The route is on dry, volcanic, rocky ground. Wear sports shoes if you plan to climb, and do not rely on flip-flops for the full hike. There are no trees or natural shade, so a hat and sunscreen are essential.

The lighthouse, or Faro de Punta Martiño, is farther north. It is a good destination if you want a longer walk and a quiet place to look over the sea and toward Lanzarote’s volcanoes. A full island outing takes roughly 2 hours and 30 minutes, so plan your route around the ferry and snorkel schedule.

You cannot comfortably do every corner of the island, swim, snorkel, and linger on the beach if you choose the shortest return. That is why the 17:00 ferry is generally the better pick for a full day. From July through September, the 16:00 and 18:00 options give you even more control.

What the crew adds to the experience

The staff are one of the strongest parts of the trip. Pablo and Susanna have helped people sort out parking, find the correct office, understand the schedule, and get oriented on Lobos. Pablo has also advised visitors about good places to snorkel from the island and helped provide extra equipment when group numbers changed.

On the water, Captain Danny has been praised for handling the boat smoothly around the ports and island and for choosing a good place to anchor. The crew also explains the process, helps children and older passengers, and keeps an eye on people in the water.

There is no formal island guide included, so do not book this expecting a narrated walking tour or detailed history lesson. The service is more practical: transport, equipment, directions, safety support, and a pleasant boat ride.

Wind, sun, and the small practical details

Lobos is exposed. Even when the sky looks pleasant, wind can make the island feel harsh, and blowing sand can turn a beach stop into a short visit. The volcanic ground is dry and uneven, with no natural shade.

Pack for the whole day:

• Plenty of water
• Food or a packed lunch
• Sun hat and sunglasses
• High-factor sunscreen
• Swimsuit and towel
• Sports shoes for the paths
• Flip-flops for the beach
• A copy of your passport or ID card

A small cooler bag can be useful for keeping drinks from becoming warm, but carry everything responsibly and take your rubbish with you. Respect the marked paths. Lobos is a natural park, and the simple surroundings are part of what makes the visit worthwhile.

Weather can cancel the activity. If that happens, you can reschedule or receive a full refund. The operator also allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later.

Who should book this day trip?

I would choose this outing if you want a low-cost way to combine a small island visit with a short water activity. It suits couples, families with older children, and active visitors who are happy to walk on rough ground and carry their own supplies.

Families should think carefully about the sea conditions. Flotation aids are available, but the Atlantic can be choppy, and a weaker swimmer may find the ladder and current stressful. A child who can swim only a little should use a life jacket and remain within easy reach of an adult.

You should reconsider the booking if you have mobility problems, need regular shade, or want a fully guided tour. Non-folding wheelchairs are not accepted, and the island paths are not designed for easy access.

Should you book the Lobos snorkel and ferry trip?

Yes, if you want a full, flexible day and understand the limits. The $31 price is good value for the ferry, coastal minicruise, drink, snorkel equipment, and 25-minute swim. The island itself is the main attraction, while the snorkeling adds a fun extra rather than a world-class underwater tour.

Choose an early ferry and the later return if you want to reach La Caldera or the lighthouse. Bring more food and water than you think you need, wear proper shoes, and treat the snorkel as weather-dependent. If the sea is calm, you may see plenty of fish and enjoy an easy swim. If the wind rises, the walking and boat ride can still be worthwhile, but the water stop may feel rough.

FAQ

How much does the Lobos Island snorkeling trip cost?

The price is $31 per person. It includes the return ferry, the 10-minute boat ride with a drink, the 25-minute snorkeling activity, equipment, and taxes and fees.

How long is the ferry from Corralejo to Lobos Island?

The ferry crossing takes about 20 minutes each way.

Where do I meet the boat in Corralejo?

Meet at the Naviera Nortour ticket office at the entrance to the port, next to La Lonja.

Can I explore Lobos Island before snorkeling?

Yes. If you take a ferry before 13:00, you have time to explore before the snorkeling and minicruise at 13:20. If you take the 13:00 ferry, you remain on board until the water activity begins.

How long is the snorkeling session?

The snorkeling session lasts about 25 minutes. It takes place in the clear water near Lobos Island.

What fish might I see while snorkeling?

You might see salema, sargo, and the colorful Canary wrasse, also called vieja canaria.

Which return ferries are available?

Return options include 14:20 and 17:00. From July through September, additional return times at 16:00 and 18:00 are available.

Is food available on Lobos Island?

You should bring your own food and plenty of water. There are no shops, and the only beach kiosk is not always open. El Puertito has the island’s only restaurant.

Is the activity suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and non-folding wheelchairs are not allowed.