Dolphin Watching and Lobos Island Catamaran Cruise Corralejo

Dolphin watching from Corralejo

The waters between Fuerteventura, Lobos Island and Lanzarote are among the richest in the Canary Islands for marine life. Deep Atlantic water meets the shallow island shelf here, which attracts fish and, with them, cetaceans. On a dolphin watching trip from Corralejo the species most often seen are bottlenose dolphins and Atlantic spotted dolphins, while short-finned pilot whales and loggerhead sea turtles also pass through these waters.

The first part of the cruise is dedicated to this search. The crew scans the surface for fins and splashes, slows the catamaran when animals appear and keeps a respectful distance so they can behave naturally. Sightings depend on the sea and are never guaranteed, but the guide shares how these animals live, feed and travel, so the time at sea is interesting even between encounters. Have your camera ready on the front deck.

Lobos Island, a protected natural park

Lobos Island is a small volcanic islet about two kilometres north of Corralejo, across the channel known as El Río. The whole island is a protected natural park, with no permanent residents, salt marshes, lava fields and the rounded cone of Montaña de La Caldera, its highest point. Its name comes from the monk seals, called sea wolves in Spanish, that once lived on its shores before they disappeared from the Canaries.

From the deck of the catamaran you see the island the way sailors have always seen it: a low, golden-brown silhouette rising from blue water, with the small Martiño lighthouse on its northern tip. Many people ask how to get to Lobos Island from Corralejo; this cruise is one of the most comfortable ways, because you enjoy its coast and its most beautiful beach without having to plan ferries or walks in the heat.

La Concha beach, swimming and snorkelling

La Concha is the crescent-shaped beach on the west side of Lobos Island, famous for its pale sand and calm, shallow, turquoise water protected by a natural rock barrier. Depending on the tide, the scene changes completely: at low tide the lagoon becomes almost a natural pool, and at high tide the colours deepen. It is one of the most photographed beaches of Fuerteventura.

The catamaran anchors here for the activity stop. You can borrow a mask and snorkel to look at the fish around the rocks, take a paddleboard across the bay, swim in the clear water or simply relax on the nets and sun deck. The crew stays on board to help, and the calm conditions make this a good first snorkelling experience for children and beginners who can swim.

Paella lunch on board

After the swim, lunch is served on deck: a seafood paella, the famous Spanish rice dish cooked in a wide shallow pan with saffron, stock and seafood. Eating it at anchor, with the sound of the water and the view of Lobos Island, is one of the moments travellers remember most from this trip.

Soft drinks and water are available on board throughout the cruise. If you have a food allergy or need a special meal, tell us when you book and we pass the request to the crew in advance, although options at sea are limited. You may also bring your own snacks for the children, and drinking water is always a good idea under the strong Canarian sun.

Corralejo, the departure port

Corralejo is the lively town at the northern tip of Fuerteventura, once a small fishing village and today the island's main holiday centre in the north. Its harbour faces Lobos Island and, on clear days, the white villages and volcanic mountains of Lanzarote. Just south of town begin the huge white dunes of the Corralejo Natural Park, which you can also see from the sea.

The cruise leaves from Corralejo pier at about 09:00 and returns around 14:00, so you still have the afternoon for the beach or the old town. Pickup from hotels in Corralejo to the port is included, while the return from the pier to your hotel is on your own; most hotels are a short walk or a quick taxi ride away. The best time to visit Lobos Island by boat is from spring to autumn, when the sea is usually calmest, but the trip runs year-round in good weather.