Beaches
The best beaches in Fuerteventura, from Corralejo to Cofete
Fuerteventura has the longest and wildest beaches in the Canary Islands. These are the beaches worth the day, what to know about wind and currents, and where to stay.
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The wind catches your hair as you step out of the car. Ahead lies a beach so long that the people further along look like dots, and the water shifts from pale turquoise to deep blue. On Fuerteventura there is room for everyone, even in high season.
Fuerteventura is the beach island of the Canaries. It has fewer mountains and less green than its neighbours, but far more sand. The north has dunes and lagoons, the south has beaches running for kilometres where windsurfers gather, and the west coast is wild and dangerous for swimming. These are the beaches worth the drive.
Short answer: which beaches in Fuerteventura are best?
Grandes Playas by the Corralejo dunes suits most people, with pale sand and calm water in good weather. Sotavento in the south is best for windsurfing and its low-tide lagoon, and El Cotillo has calm lagoons for children. Cofete is the most beautiful, but do not swim there.
Best for most people: Grandes Playas, Corralejo
Best for children: the El Cotillo lagoons
Best for windsurfing: Sotavento
Best day trip: Isla de Lobos
Most beautiful view: Cofete
Secrets Bahia Real
The pool area at Secrets Bahia Real in Corralejo.
Corralejo and Grandes Playas: the dunes of the north
South of Corralejo lies the dune nature park, and along it runs Grandes Playas, several kilometres of pale sand. The main road follows the dunes and you can stop wherever you like. The water is clear, but it can be windy, and many people build small stone circles for shelter.
Corralejo is the liveliest town on the northern tip, with a harbour, restaurants and surf shops. Ferries leave from here for Isla de Lobos and Lanzarote.
Secrets Bahia Real: adults only by the dunes
Secrets Bahia Real Resort & Spa is in Corralejo, looking across the sea to Isla de Lobos and Lanzarote, a short way from the dunes. The hotel is adults only, with several pools and a spa. A choice for couples who want calm with the beach close by.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Secrets Bahia Real
Isla de Lobos: a day trip from Corralejo
Isla de Lobos is a small, uninhabited island a short boat ride from Corralejo. It is a nature reserve, and you need a free permit in advance to land. Many ferry companies arrange the permit when you buy your ticket.
Walk the path around the island, or swim in the small lagoon of La Concha on the west side. There is almost no shade and little to buy, so bring water, food and sunscreen.
El Cotillo: lagoons on the north-west coast
El Cotillo is a former fishing village with two very different sides. South of the village, waves roll onto long beaches loved by surfers. North of it lie the lagoons, small coves of white sand where the reef keeps the waves out.
The lagoons are calm and shallow at low tide and ideal for children. Come back to El Cotillo in the evening too: the sunset from the harbour is one of the finest on the island.
Paradisus by Meliá Fuerteventura
Paradisus by Meliá Fuerteventura and its beach from the air.
Sotavento and Costa Calma: the lagoon of the south
On the south-east coast lies Sotavento, a beach several kilometres long. At low tide the sea forms a large lagoon behind the sandbanks, and you can wade far out. The wind makes it one of the best places in Europe for windsurfing and kiting.
Costa Calma, a little further north, is calmer, with pine woods behind the beach and less wind. Check the tide before heading to Sotavento, as the lagoon is at its best at low water.
Paradisus by Meliá: all inclusive in Costa Calma
Paradisus by Meliá Fuerteventura is in Costa Calma, right on the beach and a short way from Sotavento. The hotel is all inclusive, with pools and gardens running down to the sea. It suits anyone who wants the beach outside the door and no meals to plan.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Paradisus by Meliá Fuerteventura
The west coast: Cofete and Ajuy
Cofete on the Jandía peninsula may be the most beautiful beach in the Canaries, with mountains plunging towards a beach almost ten kilometres long. You reach it on a gravel road over the mountains, and there are no facilities. The currents are dangerous, so enjoy the view and leave the swimwear in the bag.
Ajuy is a small fishing village with black sand. Follow the clifftop path to the large caves, then have lunch at one of the beach restaurants.
When to go
All year: Fuerteventura has mild weather every month and little rain.
Winter: warm enough for the sun, but the sea is fresh and the wind can feel cool.
Summer: the trade winds are strongest in July and August, best for surfers.
Tides: the lagoons at Sotavento and El Cotillo are best at low tide.
Frequently asked questions about Fuerteventura's beaches
What is the best beach in Fuerteventura?
Grandes Playas by the Corralejo dunes suits most people. Sotavento is best for windsurfing, and Cofete is the most beautiful, though not for swimming.
Which beach is best for children?
The lagoons north of El Cotillo have shallow, calm water at low tide and suit small children well.
Do I need a permit for Isla de Lobos?
Yes, you need a free permit in advance. Many ferry companies arrange it with your ticket.
Can you swim at Cofete?
It is not advised. The currents are strong and there are no lifeguards or facilities.