Lobos Island Kayak Trip
Wish you were here?
We joined Kayak Fuerteventura for their Lobos Island Kayak trip in January 2015. It sounded fairly easy and hopefully a good introduction to sea kayaks having not used them for quite some time. We were booked to paddle across from Corralejo where we were staying over to Lobos Island, stop for some snorkelling and a look around before paddling back. We were collected from our hotel at 9:30 and met our guide for the day, Juan. A short drive took us to our put in point down a small dead end road Calle Gueldera just next to the Grand Hotel Atlantis Bahia Real. We parked just near the turning circle at the end of the road and foudn that following us in a hire car were four Dutch lads who joined us for the days trip. After unloading kayaks, setting up paddles and footrests and loading snorkels, fins and wetsuits (all provided as part of the package) we listened whilst Juan gave a brief but informative introduction to paddling to the Dutch lads. We carried our boats to the water’s edge and were ready to set off.
Our Boats
We had chosen shorter Sea Kayaks for this days paddle with Mike paddling a Delphin 155 surf by P&H and Sue taking an Avocet by Valley. These boats being a bit shorter than your standard touring sea kayak and with plenty of rocker were quite manoeuvrable and to our feel very stable. Both had drop down skegs for a bit more directional control downwind. Our only complaint was that we had forgotten how heavy sea kayaks are if you are used to racing boats like us!!!
Paddling over to Lobos Island by Kayak
Splashing through the shallows it became apparent that the sea was a pleasant temperature, definitely much warmer water than the ankle biting temperatures often experienced in the UK.
The Dutch lads were paddling Ocean Kayaks sit on top double kayaks Zest two Ep and with minimal paddling experience paddled of at a reasonable rate. Juan was of the opinion that these particular sit on tops were some of the fastest available due to their length. They also had a fairly strong keel shape at the front so that they cut through rather than slapped over the waves. The sea was quite flat to start with but we could see a reef out in the middle of the channel with a big breaking wave on it periodically. We skirted around this reef keeping it on our left and then headed across the channel heading for the far end of Lobos Island. As we neared the island it was good to watch a couple of yachts and a catamaran cross our paths under sail.
I stopped to take a photograph and found myself at the back of the group as we reached the far end of the island. Juan stopped paddling and took a left turn between some rocks and tiny breaking waves. Next thing we knew we were gliding over shallow rocks marking the entrance to a beautiful turquoise lagoon. As we paddled inland Juan pointed out which rocky outcrops were best for snorkelling before we landed on a deserted sandy beach.
On Lobos Island
We decided to opt for the lazy option of watching others struggle into wetsuits before heading off for some snorkelling, we chilled on the beach and chatted with Juan. The Dutch lads returned to the beach for lunch in due course and seemed to have enjoyed the snorkelling having seen lots of fish including some fairly large ones. Juan produced ham sandwiches and bananas and after some more chat and lazing we pulled the boats up well beyond the reach of the incoming tide and went for a ramble around the island.
The Return Journey
You can get to the island by ferry but it is still pretty
deserted. In due course we returned to our kayaks and set out on the return
trip to Corralejo. The wind often picks up in the afternoon ( as we know from
our windsurfing ) and this can lead to bigger waves in the afternoon for the
return journey. The day we went out it
was pretty calm but there were still some quite big lumpy waves in the middle of
the channel. We were particularly impressed by how easily the sit on tops
seemed to enable paddlers with minimal experience to deal with these waves.
We tried catching a few waves on our way back but they really weren’t quite big enough and we arrived back to shore after a thoroughly enjoyable, relaxing day in beautiful surroundings.
As we were dropped back at our hotel Juan arranged our pick up for the next paddle a few days later and agreed to email us to change the date if the forecast looked better for a different day.
Juan Took some photos which you can see here. They were taken in January not March as shown.
Our Boats
We had chosen shorter Sea Kayaks for this days paddle with Mike paddling a Delphin 155 surf by P&H and Sue taking an Avocet by Valley. These boats being a bit shorter than your standard touring sea kayak and with plenty of rocker were quite manoeuvrable and to our feel very stable. Both had drop down skegs for a bit more directional control downwind. Our only complaint was that we had forgotten how heavy sea kayaks are if you are used to racing boats like us!!! Paddling over to Lobos Island by Kayak
Splashing through the shallows it became apparent that the sea was a pleasant temperature, definitely much warmer water than the ankle biting temperatures often experienced in the UK. The Dutch lads were paddling Ocean Kayaks sit on top double kayaks Zest two Ep and with minimal paddling experience paddled of at a reasonable rate. Juan was of the opinion that these particular sit on tops were some of the fastest available due to their length. They also had a fairly strong keel shape at the front so that they cut through rather than slapped over the waves. The sea was quite flat to start with but we could see a reef out in the middle of the channel with a big breaking wave on it periodically. We skirted around this reef keeping it on our left and then headed across the channel heading for the far end of Lobos Island. As we neared the island it was good to watch a couple of yachts and a catamaran cross our paths under sail. I stopped to take a photograph and found myself at the back of the group as we reached the far end of the island. Juan stopped paddling and took a left turn between some rocks and tiny breaking waves. Next thing we knew we were gliding over shallow rocks marking the entrance to a beautiful turquoise lagoon. As we paddled inland Juan pointed out which rocky outcrops were best for snorkelling before we landed on a deserted sandy beach. On Lobos Island
We decided to opt for the lazy option of watching others struggle into wetsuits before heading off for some snorkelling, we chilled on the beach and chatted with Juan. The Dutch lads returned to the beach for lunch in due course and seemed to have enjoyed the snorkelling having seen lots of fish including some fairly large ones. Juan produced ham sandwiches and bananas and after some more chat and lazing we pulled the boats up well beyond the reach of the incoming tide and went for a ramble around the island. The Return Journey
You can get to the island by ferry but it is still pretty deserted. In due course we returned to our kayaks and set out on the return trip to Corralejo. The wind often picks up in the afternoon ( as we know from our windsurfing ) and this can lead to bigger waves in the afternoon for the return journey. The day we went out it was pretty calm but there were still some quite big lumpy waves in the middle of the channel. We were particularly impressed by how easily the sit on tops seemed to enable paddlers with minimal experience to deal with these waves. We tried catching a few waves on our way back but they really weren’t quite big enough and we arrived back to shore after a thoroughly enjoyable, relaxing day in beautiful surroundings. As we were dropped back at our hotel Juan arranged our pick up for the next paddle a few days later and agreed to email us to change the date if the forecast looked better for a different day. Juan Took some photos which you can see here. They were taken in January not March as shown. |
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