Before becoming a protected natural paradise, Isla de Lobos was a temporary home to fishermen, sailors, and families who lived face to face with the ocean. Although uninhabited today, this volcanic island off Fuerteventura preserves among its trails vestiges of a simple, hard life deeply connected to the sea.
In this article, we tell you some of the most representative stories of the ancient inhabitants of Isla de Lobos, their customs, their daily struggles, and their impact on a territory that today attracts visitors from around the world.
An island inhabited by fishermen
Throughout the 20th century, especially from the 1930s to the 1960s, several Majorero fishermen settled temporarily on Isla de Lobos. They did so mainly during the fishing season, taking advantage of its proximity to the rich fishing grounds of the Bocaina Strait. Fishing for tuna, sea bass, and salema was abundant, and many fishermen arrived in small boats from Corralejo and other areas in northern Fuerteventura.
They lived in rudimentary huts made of volcanic rock with wood or tin roofs. Some of these structures are still preserved near El Puertito, silent testimony to those days at sea.
The figure of the lighthouse keeper
One of the most iconic figures was Antonio “the lighthouse keeper,” who lived on the island with his family for decades in the house attached to the Punta Martiño Lighthouse, northeast of the islet. Antonio not only kept the lighthouse running, but also raised animals, cultivated small plots of land, and helped sailors in need.
To supply themselves with fresh water, they used cisterns and collected rainwater. Supplies arrived from Fuerteventura when the sea allowed it, which made life especially difficult during the months of bad weather.
It is said that on foggy or stormy days, the lighthouse keepers would light candles atop the lighthouse to strengthen the light signal, hoping that no ship would get lost among the rocks surrounding the island.
El Puertito: life in miniature
The small enclave of El Puertito was the heart of this temporary community. Fishermen would gather there to share food, repair nets, or seek shelter from the wind. It was also the entry and exit point for the few visitors or relatives who arrived from Fuerteventura.
Today, El Puertito remains one of the most photographed places on the island for its white houses, its turquoise lagoon, and the feeling of having stepped back in time.
The end of inhabited life
With the automation of the lighthouse in the 1960s and the consolidation of the port of Corralejo, permanent human presence on Isla de Lobos gradually disappeared. In 1982, the island was declared a Natural Park, and since then, no residence or new construction has been permitted.
The descendants of those who lived there still fondly remember summers on Lobos, nights under the starry sky, and the smell of freshly grilled fish.
Vestiges that you can still see
Although Isla de Lobos is uninhabited today, traces of its past can still be seen:
- Ruins of dwellings near El Puertito.
- Ancient cisterns, still visible along some trails.
- The Martiño Lighthouse, a symbol of isolation and human perseverance.
- Marked trails follow the same paths taken by fishermen and lighthouse keepers.
A living memory that is respected
With each responsible visit, travelers pay homage to those forgotten stories. The next time you walk the island’s trails, think of those who walked them before, carrying nets on their shoulders or oil lamps. Today, Isla de Lobos is silence, peace, and nature… but also history.
At Naviera Nortour, we encourage you to explore the island with respect and curiosity, knowing that behind every rock and every wave there are stories worth remembering.