The eighth island, and what recognition changed
For decades people were taught that the Canaries had seven islands. Since 2018 there are eight: La Graciosa was officially recognised as an island of the archipelago. It is not a geographical change — it was always there — but an administrative one, and it explains a good deal about how the place works.
What changed and what did not
La Graciosa lies north of Lanzarote, separated by the El Río strait. Geographically it has always been an island; what happened in 2018 is that it was recognised as one in the archipelago’s statute.
What did not change: it still belongs administratively to the municipality of Teguise, on Lanzarote. It is not a municipality of its own.
The three facts that define a visit
1. There are no surfaced roads. Streets and tracks are sand and dirt. That is not neglect: it follows from being inside a protected area and from the island having no private traffic.
2. You can only arrive by boat. There is a ferry from Órzola, in northern Lanzarote. No airport, no bridge.
3. It sits inside a marine reserve. It is part of the Chinijo Archipelago, the largest marine reserve in Europe, and that governs fishing, anchoring and diving.
What it is actually like
One main village, Caleta de Sebo, with low whitewashed houses, and a smaller one. No private cars driving around for pleasure, no city-style street lighting, and beaches you reach on foot or by bicycle.
It is small: walkable in one long day if you walk well, and comfortable by bicycle.
What to adjust in your expectations
- It is not a destination of services. There is just enough, and less out of season.
- There is no natural shade across most of the island.
- The wind is Lanzarote’s wind, meaning constant, and here there is no relief to stop it.
- Water is brought in. It is a small arid island: using it casually is not neutral.
Why it is worth the trip
Because it is the closest you can get to how a Canary island was before tourism, with the difference that it is still inhabited and alive. It is not a museum: it is a small village on an island without asphalt.
Frequently asked questions
›How many Canary Islands are there, seven or eight?
Eight since 2018, when La Graciosa was officially recognised as an island of the archipelago. Geographically it always was one; the change was administrative. It still belongs to the municipality of Teguise, on Lanzarote.
›Are there really no surfaced roads?
There are none: streets and tracks are sand and dirt. It follows from being inside a protected area and from the island having no private traffic, not from a lack of means.
›Can you see it in a day?
Yes. It is small: walkable in one long day if you walk well, and comfortable by bicycle. What there is not is shade across most of the route, so bring water and sun protection.