The miles of pale sandy beaches that disappear into turquoise waters make the beaches of Fuerteventura by far the best in the Canary Islands.
These perfect white and golden sand beaches are not the result of sand being blown across from the Sahara Desert (as some guidebooks claim) but are in fact composed of broken shells and other remains from marine organisms.
Fuerteventura can get very windy, though normally it is possible to find a sheltered beach somewhere along the east coast. It can be perfectly calm in Morro Jable and very choppy around the Dunes of Corralejo on the same day. If it is a little choppy, it can often be worth driving around a little in search of a sheltered cove.
The western beaches such as those at El Cotillo receive bigger swells and are popular with surfers, though there are some sheltered coves and lagoons there too.
There are so many gorgeous beaches in Fuerteventura that we could not possibly describe them all.
The following is a summary of the beaches by area, though this shouldn’t stop you from exploring the rest of the Island’s coast.
The North
Corralejo
In and around the centre of Corralejo there are several golden and white sandy beaches where the water is usually calm and therefore good for bathing. Since it is the centre of the resort these can become a little crowded in peak season.
Just south of the resort lies the spectacular Parque Natural de las Dunas de Corralejo, these enormous white-sand dunes cover a large area of the north-east of the island and can actually be seen in satellite images of Fuerteventura.
There are a few small Snack Bars/Restaurants located around the Dunes, with the best one being located beside the big Hotels, where you can relax under an umbrella with a cool drink.
The Dunes are now protected as a Natural Park , however this status came too late to save it from the three large Hotels in the centre of the Dunes.
El Cotillo
Around El Cotillo on the north-west coast are a series of beaches and coves, that are popular with Surfers and internationally-renowned for Windsurfing and Kite Surfing.
Some of the more sheltered lagoons are also suitable for bathing and snorkeling.
The South
Playas de Jandia
Between Costa Calma and Morro Jable lie the best (and longest stretch of) Beaches on the Island. The bleached white sand and shallow turquoise waters make this stretch of coast a beach lover’s dream.
The beaches in both Costa Calma and Morro Jable are very nice and up until recently had blue flags – which were lost due to a dispute with the local council, though they still have lifeguards and good facilities. It’s also worth exploring the many beautiful coves between Morro Jable and Costa Calma: Butihondo, Tierra Dorada, Malnombre, to name but a few. If it is a windy day, then the beach at the old part of Morro Jable can be a good bet.
On the windward (western) coast of the Jandia Peninsula there is a 14km stretch of sand. To get to these unspoilt beaches, you will need a 4×4 as there is only an unsealed track connecting them with the rest of the island. While these beaches are unspoilt and beautiful, there are strong winds and dangerous currents here which make bathing inadvisable.
The Centre
The black-sand beach at Gran Tarajal has a blue flag and is popular with locals, however the colour of it’s sand makes it less attractive than the beaches of Corralejo or Jandia.
Located beside the former Parador National (now the Hotel El Mirador de Fuerteventura) between Puerto del Rosario and the Airport is the attractive golden-sand beach of Playa Blanca, although when compared to some of the spectacular beaches of this Island, it comes a distant second. It is, however, popular with local surfers.
Caleta de Fuste
Caleta de Fuste’s main beach, playa del Castillo, has received a lot of criticism since it received a new cap of imported sand. Some beach-goers have complained that the sand is very rough and painful to walk on, but hopefully this will improve over time. Elsewhere in Caleta de Fuste, the man-made Playa la Guirra beach in front of Centro Atlantico may not be the most beautiful on the island, but it does offer safe sheltered lagoons suitable for families with small children.
Important Safety Advice
Beware of rocks, piers, breakwaters etc.
Be aware of dangerous rip currents
Don’t go alone, make sure there are other people around
Swim where there is a lifeguard on patrol and within a zoned area of red/yellow flags
Swim parallel to the shore and be careful not to get out of your depth
Never swim where a sign says not to, or when a red flag is flying
Never swim after eating
Never swim after you have consumed alcohol.
Do not swim in areas zoned for Boats and Jet skis
Do not swim at Night
Flags
Red Flag: Dangerous conditions, unsafe for swimming
Yellow Flag: Dangerous conditions, caution
Green Flag: Safe for swimming
Further Reading
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