Isla de Lobos

A small offshore island home to one of the largest South American sea lion and fur seal colonies in the world. Visit on a boat excursion from Punta del Este to see the enormous colony and its historic lighthouse.

Things to do

• Sea lion and fur seal colony viewing — Watch one of the world's largest colonies of South American sea lions and fur seals hauled out on the rocky shores from your boat.
• Isla de Lobos Lighthouse — Admire the historic 1906 lighthouse, one of the tallest in South America, standing over the island's windswept terrain.
• Boat excursion from Punta del Este — Cross the Atlantic waters on a guided catamaran or motorboat trip departing from Punta del Este's harbour to circle the island.
• Wildlife photography — Capture close-up shots of pups, bulls and seabirds as the boat drifts near the colony's rocky outcrops.
• Seabird spotting — Scan the cliffs and swells for cormorants, terns, petrels and occasional passing whales or dolphins around the island.
• Sunset harbour return — Enjoy the ride back into Punta del Este as the sun lowers over the coastline and the marina lights come on.

Food to try

• Chivito — Uruguay's iconic steak sandwich piled with ham, cheese, egg and salad, best eaten back at a Punta del Este parrilla after your trip.
• Fresh grilled fish — Local catches like brótola or corvina served simply grilled at seaside restaurants near the port.
• Asado — A wood-fired barbecue of assorted cuts, the centerpiece of any Uruguayan coastal meal.
• Mate — Share the traditional herbal infusion sipped through a metal straw, carried by locals everywhere along the coast.
• Dulce de leche desserts — Sweet caramelized-milk pastries, alfajores and flans that finish a meal the Uruguayan way.

Local customs & good to know

• Landing is prohibited — Isla de Lobos is a protected nature reserve, so visitors stay aboard the boat and cannot set foot on the island.
• Book weather-dependent tours ahead — Excursions run mainly in the warmer months and can be cancelled on windy days, so confirm timing in advance.
• Bring seasickness precautions — The open-Atlantic crossing can be choppy, so take motion-sickness tablets and a windproof layer.
• Respect the wildlife distance — Keep noise low and follow the crew's guidance to avoid disturbing the breeding sea lions and fur seals.

Nearby

• Punta del Este — 9 km
• La Barra — 12 km
• José Ignacio — 30 km
• Piriápolis (Canelones & Eastern Río de la Plata) — 40 km