Corralejo: Snorkeling on Lobos Island & Return Ferry Ticket

Lobos Island gives you two good outings in one: a short ferry ride from Corralejo, followed by a 25-minute snorkel in clear Atlantic water. Around the boat, you may see salema, sargo, and the colorful vieja canaria, while the volcanic island offers easy walks and broad views toward Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.

I like the freedom to choose your ferry times, and I like that the snorkel includes a gentle 10-minute cruise to El Puertito with a drink. The main catch is the sea. Wind and waves can make the swim tiring, especially for weak swimmers, and Lobos has no natural shade or reliable food supply.

Key points to know before you book

• A ferry and snorkel in one day: Your $31 ticket includes the return boat, coastal cruise, drink, mask, snorkel, and taxes.
• Choose your island time carefully: Earlier ferries let you explore before the 13:20 snorkel. A 13:00 departure keeps you aboard until the activity begins.
• Three worthwhile walks: La Concha Beach is close to the landing point, La Caldera takes about 90 minutes round trip, and the full walk to the lighthouse takes around two and a half hours.
• The water can be rough: Pool noodles, life rings, and life jackets are available, but this is not a calm-water pool outing.
• Bring your own supplies: There are no shops, no trees, and no dependable kiosk, so carry water, lunch, sun protection, and sturdy footwear.
• A friendly family operation: Staff such as Pablo, Susanna, and Captain Danny have helped with parking, equipment, route advice, and getting less-confident swimmers safely involved.

Why Lobos Island makes a good day trip from Corralejo

Lobos is close enough to Fuerteventura for a simple 20-minute crossing, yet it feels much quieter and more open once you step ashore. The island is dry, volcanic, and rugged, with marked paths crossing low hills and shorelines rather than roads and buildings.

The draw is variety. You can swim at La Concha, walk to a volcanic summit, look toward Lanzarote, visit the lighthouse, and then spend time in the water from the boat. You are not paying for a full guided tour of the island. You are paying for transport and a well-timed water activity, with the freedom to use the rest of the day as you like.

At $31 per person, I consider this strong value if you plan to explore the island as well as snorkel. The ferry alone gets you to a striking natural park, and the extra cruise gives you access to deeper water away from the beach. If you only want a short boat ride and a quick swim, the day may feel more spread out than expected.

Getting to the Naviera Nortour office

Your day starts at the Naviera Nortour ticket office at the entrance to Corralejo port, next to La Lonja. The meeting point is practical, but give yourself time to find it and sort out parking. Parking near the port can be difficult, and missing the boat means no refund.

One useful detail: there are two sets of Corralejo letters near the waterfront. The smaller set at the harbor end is closer to the glass-bottom ferry. If your directions bring you to the wrong letters, allow several extra minutes to walk to the port office.

Bring your passport or ID card. A copy is accepted. You will also want swimwear, a towel, flip-flops, sports shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, food, and plenty of water.

The 20-minute crossing to Lobos

The ferry crossing is short and usually smooth, with views back toward Fuerteventura and forward to the low, volcanic profile of Lobos. The family-run Barco Majorero gives the transfer more character than a plain transport boat, and the glass-bottom design may offer a look into the water during the ride.

The crossing is not the main event, but it sets up the day nicely. You get across without a long, tiring sea journey, and you can use the return schedule to shape your visit. Ferries leave at different times, so check the available departure when booking and choose one that leaves room for both walking and snorkeling.

If you take a ferry before 13:00, you can explore Lobos before meeting for the water activity at 13:20. The 13:00 ferry is different: you remain on board until the Snorkel and Mini Cruise begins at 13:20, then explore the island afterward.

That timing matters. If hiking is important to you, an earlier crossing is the better choice. If you prefer a later start, the 13:00 option works, but you should not expect free time ashore before the snorkel.

El Puertito and the 10-minute mini cruise

The water portion begins with about 10 minutes along the southern coast of Lobos. You get a drink while the boat passes El Puertito, an old fishing port with white sand and the island’s only restaurant.

This is a brief cruise, not a full circumnavigation. Its value is the setting and the easy transition from sightseeing to swimming. You can sit back, take in the shore, and watch the captain position the boat near the snorkel area.

The restaurant is a useful landmark, but do not plan your whole day around eating there. The only beach kiosk is not always open, and there are no shops on the island. I would pack a simple lunch and treat any food outlet as a bonus.

What the 25-minute snorkel is really like

The snorkel lasts about 25 minutes in clear water near the coast. The crew provides masks and snorkels, and the boat carries pool noodles and life rings. Life jackets are also useful for children or anyone who can swim but is not comfortable in open sea.

The fish are the main attraction. You may see salema, sargo, and vieja canaria, the colorful Canary wrasse. The crew may toss small pieces of bread near the boat, which brings fish close enough for a good look. It can make the water feel lively, though it also means fish gather in one concentrated area rather than across a wide reef.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is not a coral reef, and the bottom is not described as a broad underwater garden. The marine life can be excellent for a short, low-cost outing, but the variety may feel limited if you have snorkeled in tropical waters.

The sea conditions are the bigger variable. On calm days, the clear water and fish make the swim easy to enjoy. On windy days, waves can push you away from the boat and make climbing back up harder. One useful safety feature is a floating aid attached behind the boat, but you still need to be a reasonably confident swimmer or use a life jacket.

I would pay close attention to the crew’s instructions before entering the water. Stay aware of the ladder, the boat’s position, and the direction of the waves. The crew has helped children, older swimmers, and nervous participants, but it cannot remove the basic demands of open Atlantic water.

Making the most of your free time on Lobos

The island is compact enough for a rewarding visit, but you should not try to do everything without checking the clock. The main walking routes are easy to understand, yet the terrain is rocky and exposed. Sports shoes are a better choice than flip-flops for the longer routes.

La Concha Beach

La Concha, also called La Caleta, is about a seven-minute walk from the landing point. Its shell-shaped shoreline is the easiest place to relax, swim, or simply sit near the water.

This is your best choice if you want a beach break without spending most of the day walking. It is also a practical place to return after the snorkel, especially if you have children who are ready for a quieter swim.

La Caldera Volcano

The 127-meter La Caldera is the island’s most rewarding short hike. The round trip takes about an hour and 30 minutes, and the top gives you views toward Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.

I would choose this walk over the lighthouse if your time is limited. It gives you a strong sense of Lobos in a manageable stretch, but the path is exposed, rocky, and without shade. Take water and avoid treating the route as a casual stroll in beach sandals.

Lobos Lighthouse

The lighthouse lies in the north of the island and offers a quieter place to look out toward the sea and Lanzarote’s volcanoes. Reaching it takes more time, so it works best with an early ferry and a later return.

A full island exploration takes roughly two and a half hours. That estimate is useful because it prevents an easy mistake: choosing an early return, then discovering that the walk you wanted leaves no time for the beach or a relaxed meal.

Planning the return ferry

After snorkeling, you can choose among several return options. The stated times include 14:20 and 17:00, with additional 16:00 and 18:00 departures available from July through September.

The 14:20 boat suits you if you mainly want the snorkel and a quick look around. It is too early for a leisurely island day unless you arrive well before the activity and keep your walking brief.

The 17:00 ferry is a better all-round choice for many people. It gives you time for La Concha, La Caldera, and a relaxed pause after swimming. In the summer months, an 18:00 return offers even more breathing room.

Select the return time on the day, according to the available options. Still, do not assume every choice will suit every season. Check the schedule when you book, then plan your hike around the latest realistic boat you can catch.

What the crew adds to the experience

The staff are one of the strongest parts of this outing. Pablo and Susanna have helped with the practical problems that can sour a day, including busy-port parking and equipment arrangements. Pablo has also explained where to snorkel from the beach and helped groups find extra equipment when numbers changed.

Captain Danny has been praised for handling the boat smoothly and positioning it well for the swim. That matters because a good anchor point can make the difference between an easy snorkel and a tiring struggle against the waves.

There is no full island guide included, so you should not expect a narrated walking tour or detailed escort around every path. The crew’s role is mainly transport, safety, equipment, and advice. That arrangement suits independent visitors who like to explore alone.

Who should book this day out?

I would recommend it to you if you want a flexible nature day with some swimming, light hiking, and a short boat trip. It works especially well for couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants more than a standard ferry transfer.

Children can take part, but swimming ability matters. A seven-year-old who can just about swim may need a life jacket, and pool noodles or rings can help. I would be cautious with anyone who panics in waves or struggles to climb a boat ladder.

This is less suitable if you need step-free access or have significant mobility limitations. The island paths are rocky, the terrain is exposed, and non-folding wheelchairs are not allowed.

The trip also asks you to be self-sufficient. Bring lunch, water, sun protection, and layers for wind. There are no trees or natural shade, and a breezy day can turn a pleasant walk into a tiring one.

Practical value and final verdict

At $31, this is a good-priced way to combine Lobos transport with a separate snorkel outing. You get the return ferry, the 10-minute cruise, a drink, snorkeling equipment, the 25-minute swim, and the freedom to explore a natural park without paying for a full guided excursion.

The strongest reason to book is the balance between structure and independence. The boat gets you there, the crew organizes the water activity, and you decide how to spend the rest of the day. The main reasons to hesitate are rough water, a lack of shade, limited food options, and the possibility that the snorkel feels basic on a windy or cloudy day.

Book it if you choose an early ferry, pack properly, and want both island walking and open-water swimming. If you want calm, effortless snorkeling or a fully guided sightseeing tour, choose something more sheltered and structured.

FAQ

How long is the ferry ride to Lobos Island?

The ferry takes about 20 minutes each way between Corralejo and Lobos Island.

What does the snorkeling portion include?

It includes a 10-minute boat ride along the southern coast, a drink on board, and about 25 minutes of snorkeling. Masks and snorkels are available on the boat.

What fish might I see?

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

Can I explore Lobos Island before snorkeling?

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

What are the return ferry times?

Return options include 14:20 and 17:00. Additional 16:00 and 18:00 departures are available from July through September.

Is food available on Lobos Island?

There are no shops, and the island’s only beach kiosk is not always open. Bring enough food and water for the full day.

What happens if the weather cancels the activity?

The activity may be cancelled in adverse weather. You can then reschedule or receive a full refund. You may also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.