Isla de Lobos
Maldonado
Isla de Lobos is a small rocky island located about 8 kilometers southeast of Punta del Este, Uruguay, in the Atlantic Ocean. It is a natural reserve and part of the Island and Islet of Lobos and their Submerged Environment National Park, a marine protected area established in 2024. The island is geologically an extension of the Cuchilla Grande and lies at the mouth of the Río de la Plata estuary. Historically, it was first documented by Spanish navigator Juan Díaz de Solís in 1516 and later visited by explorers such as Sebastian Cabot and Diego García de Moguer. The island features a 59-meter tall lighthouse, erected originally in 1858 and rebuilt in 1906, which offers panoramic views of the island and the Punta del Este coast. Isla de Lobos is renowned for hosting the largest colony of South American sea lions and South American fur seals in the western hemisphere, with hundreds of thousands of individuals recorded. The surrounding waters also attract southern right whales, orcas, and various seabirds, making it a significant site for marine biodiversity and ecotourism. A votive chapel built by German and Italian sailors in 1945 stands on a nearby rock formation, commemorating their survival from a maritime disaster. Today, the island is a protected nature reserve administered by the Uruguayan government, emphasizing conservation and sustainable visitation.
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Tip: The best time to visit Isla de Lobos is during the warmer months when wildlife activity, especially sea lion and seal colonies, is most visible. Visitors should consider booking boat tours in advance to ensure access, as the island is a protected reserve with regulated visitation. No hunting or disturbing wildlife is permitted. Bring binoculars for wildlife observation and prepare for variable weather conditions. Guided tours often provide educational insights about the island's ecology and history.
Interesting facts
- •Isla de Lobos hosts the largest colony of South American sea lions and South American fur seals in the western hemisphere.
- •The island's lighthouse, rebuilt in 1906, stands 59 meters high and was the first automated lighthouse in Uruguay in 2001.
- •A votive chapel on a nearby rock was built in 1945 by German and Italian sailors who survived a shipwreck, dedicated to Our Lady of Storms.
- •The island lies at the mouth of the Río de la Plata estuary and is geologically an extension of the Cuchilla Grande.
- •Orcas have been frequently sighted in the waters around Isla de Lobos, preying on tunas and other marine life.
History
Isla de Lobos was first documented in 1516 by Spanish navigator Juan Díaz de Solís and subsequently visited by notable explorers such as Sebastian Cabot in 1527 and Diego García de Moguer in 1528, who gave it various names.
The Uruguayan government built a lighthouse on the island in 1858, which was rebuilt in 1906 and modernized in 2001 as the first automated lighthouse in Uruguay.
The island was economically exploited until 1992, after which hunting was prohibited by law in 1991, transitioning the island into a protected nature reserve.
In 1945, a votive chapel was constructed on a nearby rock by German and Italian sailors who survived a maritime disaster, marking a poignant historical event associated with the island.
Place Guide
The Lighthouse1858 (original), 1906 (rebuilt), 2001 (automation)
The lighthouse on Isla de Lobos was originally built in 1858 and rebuilt in 1906. It stands 59 meters above sea level and offers panoramic views from its balcony, accessible via 240 steps. It was the first automated lighthouse in Uruguay, using solar energy and featuring a compressed air siren for foggy conditions.
Votive Chapel on Finita Burrasca Rock1945
Located about 1,250 meters from Isla de Lobos, this small rock formation hosts a chapel built in 1945 by German and Italian sailors who survived a maritime disaster. The chapel is dedicated to Our Lady of Storms and features inscriptions in German and Italian, commemorating the sailors' gratitude for safe shelter.
