Before becoming a protected natural paradise, Lobos Island was a temporary home to fishermen, sailors, and families who lived in close proximity to the ocean. Although uninhabited today, this volcanic island off the coast of Fuerteventura still holds within 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 former inhabitants of Isla de Lobos, their customs, their daily struggles and their mark on a territory that today attracts visitors from all over the world.
An island inhabited by fishermen
Throughout the 20th century, particularly in the decades from the 1930s to the 1960s, several fishermen from Fuerteventura They settled temporarily on Isla de Lobos. They did so mainly during the fishing seasons, taking advantage of its proximity to the rich fishing grounds of the Bocaina Strait. The fishing was plentiful, and many fishermen arrived in small boats from Corralejo and other areas in northern Fuerteventura.
They lived in rudimentary huts made of volcanic stone with wooden or tin roofs. Some of these structures are still preserved near El Puertito, silent testimony of those days at sea.
The figure of the lighthouse keeper
One of the most emblematic figures was Antonio “the lighthouse keeper”, who along with his family lived on the island 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 distress.
To obtain fresh water, they used cisterns and collected rainwater. Supplies arrived from Fuerteventura when the sea allowed, which made life especially hard during the months of bad weather.
It is said that, on foggy or stormy days, the lighthouse keepers would light candles at the top of the lighthouse to reinforce the light signal, hoping that no ship would get lost on the rocks surrounding the island.
El Puertito: life in miniature
The small enclave of El Puertito It was the heart of this temporary community. Fishermen gathered there to share food, repair nets, or take shelter from the wind. It also served as an entry and exit point for the few visitors or family members who arrived from Fuerteventura.
Today, El Puertito remains one of the most photographed places on the island because of 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 60s and the consolidation of the port of Corralejo, permanent human presence on Isla de Lobos gradually disappeared. In 1982, the island was declared a protected area. Natural Parkand since then neither residence nor new construction is permitted.
The descendants of those who lived there still fondly remember the summers in Lobos, the 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 houses near El Puertito.
- Ancient cisterns, still visible on some routes.
- The Martiño Lighthouse, a symbol of isolation and human perseverance.
- Marked trails that follow the same paths taken by fishermen and lighthouse keepers.
A living memory that is respected
With each responsible visit, travelers pay homage to these forgotten stories. The next time you walk the island's trails, think of those who trod them before, with nets slung over their shoulders or oil lamps in hand. Today, Isla de Lobos is silence, peace, and nature… but also history.
From Nortour Shipping CompanyWe encourage you to explore the island with respect and curiosity, knowing that behind every rock and every wave there are stories that deserve to be remembered.
