The Definitive Mini-guide to Snorkelling with Children in Fuerteventura


Thinking of snorkelling with the little ones? The best place to try is the Islet of Lobos

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The Canary Islands are a popular tourist destination. The archipelago has everything necessary so that children and adults have a great time. Families that visit the Canary Islands always want to repeat the experience. One of the reasons behind the success of the Canary Islands as a family tourist destination is the climate which has been called an “eternal spring”. The archipelago has average temperatures of 24 degrees with little rainfall, so outdoor activities can be enjoyed year round.  Another reason behind the demand for the Canary Islands is the archipelago’s natural beauty. There are majestic mountains and beautiful coastlines. The Canary Islands is also renowned for its leading selection of hotel and leisure options. The Islet of Lobos is a great example of the types of fabulous locations available on the Canary Islands. The small island is three kilometres from the port of Corralejo, in the north of Fuerteventura, and it is eight kilometres from the south of Lanzarote. The Islet of Lobos has a seabed which offers a true paradise for families who want to enjoy snorkelling.

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The Islet of Lobos’ natural park is 4.5-square-kilometres in size. Lobos can mean “seals” in Spanish. And the waters around the island are still frequented by a local variety of seal. The Islet of Lobos is a protected natural area that has very valuable and well-preserved habitats. These habitats have facilitated the survival of endemic species. The Islet of Lobos has white sands, crystal clear turquoise waters, and natural pools. The island is an ideal place for snorkelers of any age.

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From the beaches of Corralejo, the Islet of Lobos is visible in the distance. The Islet of Lobos is reached by boats that leave daily from the port of Corralejo in Fuerteventura. There are several tour companies which offer transport. Some companies just offer a tour of the area. Other providers offer a guide, food, snorkelling equipment, and a team of qualified snorkelling instructors. Some tour boats have glass bottoms which allow visitors to enjoy a captivating view of the ocean floor. The boats with the glass bottoms are particularly popular with children. There are also simple ferries for visitors who prefer to enjoy snorkelling trips by themselves. There is only one restaurant on the Islet of Los Lobos, so for visitors who are not part of a tour, it is recommended that they bring plenty of food and drink and snorkelling equipment. Ferry tickets are available in the port of Corralejo. Tickets can also be pre-booked online. Journey time by boat from Corralejo to the Islet of Lobos is short, with travel times of barely a quarter of an hour during good weather.  

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Snorkelling is great because you don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy the activity. Snorkelling is a great way to discover the wonderful underwater environment of the Islet of Lobos. The Islet of Lobos is a great place for snorkelling because the waters around the island are very shallow, barely reaching a few metres in depth at the deepest points. The shallow waters are an ideal setting to watch hundreds of fish move around a luxurious seabed. It should also be noted that because the water temperature around the Islet of Lobos is pleasant even in winter, snorkelers won’t need a wetsuit.

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Visitors to the Islet of Lobos are limited to 200 at a time. This policy is designed to protect the rich natural landscape, the Roman archaeological site, and the ethnographic history of the island. Visitors who are only going to snorkel and won’t step foot on the island don’t need to ask for authorisation, but visitors wishing to visit the island need to seek permission from the local government website:

http://www.cabildofuer.es/cabildo.

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For those in the family that want to combine a snorkelling trip with something else, the Islet of Lobos has a network of trails to explore. The routes are well-made with signposts explaining the direction of travel as well as points of interest including information on local flora and fauna. There is a circular route around the Islet of Lobos which takes about four hours to complete. The route allows visitors to discover some of the wonders of the Islet of Lobos including the Marrajo salt flats, the lighthouse of Martiño, the Lagunitas basin, and the small port of Lobos. The route includes a section which follows the path of the mountain of La Caldera as it reaches to 127 metres in altitude. From the La Caldera mountain there are beautiful views of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.