Fuerteventura is the beach island: long, empty strands of white sand, turquoise lagoons, steady trade winds and very little rain. Base yourself in Corralejo in the north for dunes, nightlife and the boat to Lobos, or on the Jandía peninsula in the south for the widest beaches, and rent a car, because the best of the island lies between towns.
Beaches
- Grandes Playas de Corralejo, inside the Corralejo Natural Park, kilometres of sand backed by dunes, just south of town.
- Sotavento, on the Jandía peninsula near Costa Calma, a huge beach where a lagoon forms at low tide. It is a famous windsurf and kitesurf venue.
- Morro Jable and Playa del Matorral, long, calmer beaches at the southern resort, with a lighthouse and a saltmarsh behind.
- Cofete, on the wild west side of Jandía, reached by a rough dirt road from Morro Jable. It is spectacular but has strong currents and no services: walk and look, and think twice about swimming.
- El Cotillo, in the northwest, with sheltered lagoon coves (Los Lagos) to the north for calm swimming and surf beaches to the south.
The sun is strong and the wind hides it; use sun cream even on cloudy, breezy days.
Windsurf, kitesurf and surf
The trade winds blow most reliably in summer, which is why the island is a windsurf and kitesurf destination, and Sotavento has hosted world cup events. Good areas for learning are the shallow lagoon at Sotavento and the kite schools around Flag Beach in Corralejo. Surfers head to El Cotillo, the north track near Majanicho and Lajares, where the island's surf scene is based. Book lessons with a registered school, which will know where kites are allowed and where currents are dangerous; the Canary Islands tourist board has an overview of the spots.
Corralejo
Corralejo grew from a fishing village into the island's liveliest resort. The old harbour area has fish restaurants and bars, the main street leads down to the sea, and the dunes start at the edge of town. The FV-1 road crosses the natural park to the Grandes Playas; do not drive or camp on the dunes. Ferries leave the port for Playa Blanca on Lanzarote, about half an hour away, and boats go to Lobos several times a day.
Lobos island
Lobos is a small protected islet a short boat ride from Corralejo, with a crater to climb, a lighthouse, a natural pool called La Concha and a coastal walk of a couple of hours.
- A permit is required. Visits are limited to morning and afternoon time slots with a cap on visitors, and the island council, the Cabildo de Fuerteventura, issues a free personal authorisation online through its LobosPass site, released only a short time before each date. Some ferry tickets include it; check what you are buying, and beware of sites that charge for the free permit.
- Bring everything. There is very little on the island: carry water, food and shade, and take all rubbish back.
- Stay on the paths. The fragile dunes and birdlife are the reason for the limits.
Inland and the west coast
Betancuria, the old capital in a valley of the central hills, has a church and a handful of restaurants. Ajuy, on the west coast, has a black beach and sea caves reached by a short cliff path. The viewpoints along the mountain road between Betancuria and Pájara give the best views of the island's bare, sculpted hills. Fuerteventura is a UNESCO biosphere reserve and a Starlight reserve, so the night skies away from the resorts are excellent.
Getting around
Fuerteventura airport (FUE) is next to the capital, Puerto del Rosario, around 30 to 40 minutes from Corralejo and over an hour from Morro Jable. The island bus company runs between the main towns, but services to beaches like Cofete or El Cotillo are limited. A car, ideally one your rental contract allows on dirt tracks, is the practical choice. Check the hire terms before driving to Cofete.
Before you go
Fuerteventura is Spain and part of Schengen. Spanish and EU citizens travel with a valid ID card or passport. UK and US visitors need no visa for up to 90 days in any 180, and the EU Entry/Exit System now records their fingerprints and photo on arrival. UK passports must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and be valid for at least 3 months after you leave. The EU's ETIAS authorisation is due to be introduced, so check the EU ETIAS site for your dates and the UK government advice for Spain before travelling, as requirements change.
Staying connected
The Lobos permit, ferry tickets, wind forecasts and directions to remote beaches all live on your phone, and since Brexit many UK plans charge for roaming in Spain. A data eSIM for Spain, installed before you fly, gives you local data from arrival and keeps your own SIM in your phone; see how to install it.