Isla de Lobos

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Isla de Lobos
Isla de Lobos vista desde su cara N, frente a Punta del Este, en Uruguay.jpg
North side of the island
Isla de Lobos - Gorriti UY.PNG
LocationAtlantic Ocean
Coordinates35°03′01″S 54°52′27″W﻿ / ﻿35.05028°S 54.87417°W﻿ / -35.05028; -54.87417
Total islands2
Area0.435 km2 (0.168 sq mi)
Highest elevation26 m (85 ft)
Part ofCoastal Islands National Park
Administered byMinistry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries

The Isla de Lobos is a small island located about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) southeast of Punta del Este (Uruguay). An islet lies east of the island.


The island is an outcropping of rocks as a continuation of the Cuchilla Grande, in an area of the Atlantic Ocean immediately at the mouth (outer limit) of the estuary of Río de la Plata. Administratively, it falls under the jurisdiction of the province of Maldonado, although it constitutes a natural reserve. Somewhat to the northwest is the smaller Gorriti Island which is the secondmost southerly place in Uruguay.

Isla de Lobos was exploited economically until 1992. Hunting the island's marine life was prohibited by law in 1991.[1] Today it constitutes a nature reserve that is integrated into the "Coastal Islands National Park" administered by the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture, and Fisheries.


It was first documented by Spanish navigator Juan Díaz de Solís in 1516 and named "San Sebastian de Cádiz". In 1527, it was visited by the Venetian navigator Sebastian Cabot during his expedition to the Río de la Plata and Paraná. In 1528, Diego García de Moguer sailed to the region and named it the "Island of the Snapper." In 1599, the island was visited by Laurens Bicker.[2]


In 1858 the Uruguayan government erected a lighthouse on the island, which was rebuilt in 1906.[3] With its height of 59 meters above sea level,[4] From the balcony outside, which is accessed by 240 steps, there is a wonderful panoramic view of the island and the coast of Punta del Este.

In July 2001, it became the first automated lighthouse in Uruguay, using solar energy and other new technology. It has a siren that runs on compressed air[5] to provide an alternative signal on days of thick fog.[6]


Isla de Lobos and Gorriti Island are parts of a nature reserve, holding the largest colony of South American sea lions and South American fur seals in the western hemisphere: in 2005 there were 250,000 sea lions of the species called "two hairs" and 1,500 of the species known as the "wig."[7] Fewer in numbers, southern elephant seals also appear around the area.[8]

Punta del Este is one of the most famous wintering area for southern right whales in Uruguay and shore-based whale watching is becoming a popular attraction.[9] Can also be found different types of orcas and birds.[10]

The area is one of few areas in Uruguay where more frequent appearances of orcas have been confirmed[11][12]; their prey in the area may include tunas.[13]



  1. ^ "La mayor reserva de lobos marinos de Sudamérica" (in Spanish). Uruguay: La República. 6 April 2014. Retrieved 2014-09-24.
  2. ^ Journal of dagregister on line
  3. ^ National Navy of Uruguay. "Cronología de Marina" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2014-01-07. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
  4. ^ "La Isla de Lobos" (in Spanish). Turismweb Uruguay. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2014-09-23.
  5. ^ Correo Uruguay (2004-02-10). "Faros de Uruguay" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2012-02-11.
  6. ^ Russ Rowlett. "Lighthouses of Uruguay". University of North Carolina. Retrieved 2011-12-26.
  7. ^ Michelini, María Laura (2008). Recorriendo Uruguay Guía Turística del Uruguay (in Spanish). Uruguay. ISBN 978-9974-8119-1-1.
  8. ^ Seis orcas se pasean por las aguas de Punta del Este
  9. ^ Gigantes D.T.. 2016. Ballenas francas en la playa Mansa de Punta del Este
  10. ^ "Polémica en el paraíso de los lobos" (in Spanish). Uruguay: Diario El País. 28 September 2003. Retrieved 2014-09-24.
  11. ^ Iriarte V.. 2006.Killer whale (Orcinus orca) occurrence at Isla de Lobos, Uruguay
  12. ^ Willy E.D..Las orcas visitaron Punta del Este
  13. ^ ¡Invasión!: ahora vieron una orca en la costa de Punta del Este