The Ultimate Beach Guide ~ Fuerteventura

Welcome to Fuerteventura! Warning – the following pictures may not be suitable for beach lovers who are going to spend the coming winter months in cold Europe … Anyway, if you are going to risk the possibility to get an overwhelming tropical wanderlust feeling – take your pink sunglasses, something to drink and enjoy!

Here is the main reason why people choose Fuerteventura among all seven major Canary Islands! The surreal beaches in Fuerteventura are “Europe’s answer to Hawaii” and the best hotspot for surfers on the European continent. Every beach lover’s dream of a never-ending white sand horizon and turquoise clear water will come true … Let’s start!

Fuerteventura is a sandy paradise with numerous perfect beaches located all over the Island. The main difference between the east and the west part of the island is the ocean: pretty wild and dangerous on the Westside (untouched paradise, perfect for surfers) and calm and windy in the east (Caribbean colours, perfect for kite- and windsurfers). In the middle of the island is nothing. Or mountains and nothing… So we are going to the most famous Fuerteventura beaches and I’m sure – there is something for everyone! If you want to get more island inspiration you can find the best things to do in Tenerife here.

We are going to start in the Southeast, the coast of Costa Calma, where my hotel (Melia Gorriones) was located: 27 km of light-sand beaches, turquoise clear water and a stunning beach lagoon:

Sotavento

Sotavento Beach is located in the southeast of Fuerteventura and it is actually divided into several different sections: Playa de Barca, Playa Lagoon, El Salmo, Mal Nombre, and Esquinzo. Sotavento beaches are the perfect choice for windsurfers and kite surfers, as you can also find the best kite- and windsurf schools there. The wind is consistent but calm and peaceful! Because of it, it will never get too hot, even when the temperatures are above 30°.  The average water temperature during the year is about 22° and is perfect for swimming.

Playa de Barca,  Playa Lagoon and Risco del Passo

Here you can find the surfer school Rene Engli and even if you are not going to take a lesson or to ride the waves it is definitely worth the experience of just watching all the numerous kite- and windsurfers.  The reason why “Playa Barca” is so an important factor for tourism is the world kite- and windsurf championship which takes place each year in July.

But Playa de Barca is not only a place for professional surfers, but also for beginners – Playa Lagoon is a huge section of narrow water divided through a sand “bridge” from the ocean. Playa Lagoon is perfect for beginners as the water is very calm, warm and knee-deep.

Esquinzo

The section Esquinzo is located near the village of Esquinzo. The beach has light-coloured sand, but also what you can find here are dark lava stones. This part of Sotavento is very suitable for families with children, as it is not very windy and the beach itself – not very large.

Playa Lagoon Fuerteventura

Jandia (Morro Jable)

The beach Jandia is located in the very Southeast of the island, near the town of Morro Jable. One section has the name “Playa de Matorral” – best for families with children. The other part of Jandia is very windy and sometimes even unpleasant to enjoy sunbathing. The sand here is light-coloured, but due to the wind, the waves are relatively huge.

Cofete

Well, unfortunately, I do not have any photos of this perfection. The reason why is the fact that on the way to Cofete Beach, one of our car tires blew up… The road is small, dirt and unsecured and they are many cars trying to reach this area… Anyway: the best way to get there is to book a JEEP or Buggy (or you can walk for several hours) – with a standard car (we had even an SUV!) you will end like us…

Cofete Beach should be more than amazing! There is 20 km of wild light-sand, absolutely isolated beach. Very important information – you should NOT go bathing or swimming – the waves are huge and wild and the current is very strong. Cofete is absolutely unsuitable for children! Wild and mystic – the only thing you can see there, is the ocean and the Jandia Mountains above …

Corralejo

In the Northeast of Fuerteventura is located the young surfer place, called Corralejo. Here you can find a lot of tourists, hotels, bars and restaurants (but to be honest, I was missing the silence and wildness of the south).  Corralejo is the most popular surfer spot on the island – a lot of young people come here, learn to surf in Billabong Camp&School and go out at night. From Corralejo’s north, you can see Lobos and the neighbouring island Lanzarote which is located in the north.

In Corralejo, you can find several small beaches with a lot of families and children. So if you want to have a peaceful sunny day you better go to Corralejo’s National Park (Parque Natural de las Dunas de Corralejo) – 11 km long dune area, white sand beaches and turquoise water! These beaches are also perfect for wind- and kite surfers.

El Cotillo

El Cotillo is a fisher village and very well-developed tourist destination. The beach is really unique as here you can find the perfect natural colour splash between white sand and black lava sand and rocks. The difference between El Cotillo’s beach and all other beaches located in the west is that the water here is pretty shallow and you can actually go and bath here.

Playa del Viejo Rey, La Pared

I love this one – located on the west coast, ca 1km long beach with very light-coloured, fine-milled sand with small lava stones in its consistency. This is a perfect place for professional surfers, but you could also book a lesson at the local surfer school in La Pared. But if you are not good at swimming, please do not go into the water! The waves are more than huge and there is always some torrential surge and strong current. There were almost any people here, so you can feel a VIP person on a private beach.

I hope I could inspire you for the next holidays! My last Fuerteventura tip is to rent a car for the whole period of your stay so that you can explore all these beautiful beaches!

Enjoy the day!