Departure point
Corralejo harbour
Before landing
Obtain the official visitor authorization
Permit cost
The public authorization is free
Plan around
Your authorized session and return boat

Arrange authorization and transport together

La Oliva's tourism office links the free visitor authorization to LobosPass. Use that official route to check available dates and sessions. A boat ticket and a visitor authorization are separate requirements: buying one does not by itself prove that you have the other.

Some operators offer to process the authorization. Read the booking details and confirm that it will be issued for everyone in your group. An operator may charge for handling even though the public authorization itself is free. Keep the authorization available for inspection and ensure its date and session match your visit.

Use the live permit calendar, not an old blog's booking window

The original Cabildo system used morning and afternoon sessions. Advance booking windows and operating arrangements can change, so the session shown in the current portal and on your authorization should guide your plan. Do not assume that a permit can be booked months ahead simply because a ferry ticket can.

Book a return that fits the permitted visit and leave a boarding margin. Check where and when the operator wants you at the harbour, how changes work if the sea prevents sailing, and what happens if your chosen permit session is unavailable. No excursion is improved by spending its final part worrying about the last boat.

Choose a beach-led or walking-led visit

For a beach-led day, focus on a permitted route to La Concha, with time by the water only if conditions allow. For a walking-led day, choose a marked route and one main objective such as the lighthouse direction or volcanic scenery. Do not treat every landmark as compulsory.

A complete circuit, a crater climb, restaurant lunch and a long swim can be too much for one session. Decide what you would happily leave out before you arrive. If children or slower walkers are joining, a shorter outing with breaks can be more satisfying than an ambitious route.

Visit styleKeep the priority clear
Beach and a short walkA manageable route and plenty of return time
Walking and landscapeA signed trail, water and a firm turnaround
Mixed family groupA shared short route with optional extra activity

Know which places you are heading to

La Concha on Lobos is also identified as Charco de la Galera in municipal beach information. It is not La Concha in El Cotillo. Puertito is another distinct area, while Martiño lighthouse lies elsewhere on the island. Check a local map at arrival rather than navigating only by a photograph.

Lobos's name recalls monk seals that once lived here. It is not a promise of present-day seal encounters. Enjoy the protected habitats and birds without approaching wildlife or leaving designated areas for a closer image.

Carry what you need for the whole visit

Take drinking water, food, sun protection and suitable footwear. You may want beach things as well, but remember you will carry them while walking. Shade and services are limited compared with Corralejo.

Municipal tourism describes a small lunch operation with reservations. Treat it as something to confirm, not a guaranteed walk-in option. Bring enough food to remain comfortable if it is full or unavailable, and pack out all rubbish. Do not depend on being able to buy essentials when you arrive.

Treat swimming and snorkelling as conditions-dependent

The water around Lobos is a major attraction, but an attractive pool or bay is not automatically suitable for your ability that day. Observe local restrictions, the sea and the entry and exit. Do not swim across boat movements or head away from shore because visibility looks good.

If snorkelling is the main aim, compare a properly guided activity with an independent land visit. Some boat experiences remain offshore rather than landing, so check the itinerary carefully. Our snorkelling and diving guide explains how to choose the right format.

Stay within the visit you planned

Follow marked paths and instructions from park staff. Leave plants, rocks and shells in place, keep noise low and do not feed wildlife. A visible track or a social-media location does not establish that access is permitted.

If the sea disrupts the ferry plan, move Lobos to another suitable day and use Corralejo or an inland outing as the alternative. Keeping a flexible day in the week gives you a better chance of enjoying the island in good conditions.

Questions worth asking

Do I need a permit for Isla de Lobos?

Yes, for a visit ashore obtain the official visitor authorization through the portal linked by La Oliva tourism. Confirm any operator-arranged authorization rather than assuming it is included.

Is the Lobos authorization free?

The public authorization is free. A boat operator may separately charge for transport or an optional permit-handling service.

How far in advance can I apply?

Use the live LobosPass calendar. Published guides and operators give different advance windows, so an old fixed number is not a reliable basis for planning.

Should I plan the full island walk and a long beach stop?

Only if the route, your group, the authorized session and the return sailing genuinely allow it. Choosing one main activity usually makes a more relaxed first visit.

Official sources & further reading

Check the linked operator or authority for current access, timetables and conditions before you go.

How we research this guide →