With 3,000 hours of sunshine every year, and winter temperatures averaging in the low 70’s, Fuerteventura beaches lure travelers to their shores. Offering beautiful stretches of white and black sand, terrific year-round surfing, sailing, diving, sport fishing, and all sorts of adventure both on land and water.
Fuerteventura is one of the Canary Islands (but owned by Spain), located about 63 miles off the coast of Africa. Flights to Fuerteventura Spain go into the airport at El Mattoral, from dozens of cities across Europe, making it an easy and affordable destination for a beach vacation.
So Which Fuerteventura Beach is For You?
There are over 150 beaches on the island ranging from fine, white sand to black volcanic rock formed from volcanic activity, dating back thousands of years. Generally speaking, the beaches on the north part of the island have expansive sand dunes, and the beaches in the south tend to be a bit more remote.
How do you select the best beach in Fuerteventura, Spain? Or maybe it’s the best for today, with a list of others for the days to come?
Here are some highlights of the main Fuerteventura Beaches to get you thinking:
Ajuy Beach
This fine black sand beach isn’t suitable for swimming due to the strong currents but is still a popular attraction for visitors to Fuerteventura. Walk up the paved trail to the top of a nearby cliff and enjoy the view of Mother Nature at her finest. That’s Ajuy Beach in the photo at the top.
Caleta de Fuste Beach
Light-colored fine sand and calm water make this a great beach for families with young children. Lining the curve of a bay and located close to many hotels, the beach is popular with tourists, for both swimming, wading, and other water activities. You can even ride a camel on the beach!
Cofete Beach
This rather desolate, wild beach has waves and wind that make it unsuitable for swimming, yet it has an unexplainable appeal. Nominated in the past by TripAdvisor travelers as one of the best beaches in Europe, it’s worth exploring to find some solitude and to appreciate nature. It’s also a great spot for some photography.
Corralejo Dunes
This fine sand (in the photo above) is part of the National Park system and extends down to a turquoise beach that is popular with families for sunning, swimming, and other water activities. The beach is clothing optional, so leave any prudish attitude in the car.
Corralejo Beaches
There are several small bays offering beaches that are enjoyed by tourists and locals alike. The family-friendly spots are perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and all water activities. You’ll also find a surf school and an array of bars and pubs located right on the beach.
Costa Calma Beach
This beach is popular with families as the waves are calm, the water is shallow, and the sand is fine and white. There are a variety of hotels very close by catering mostly to tourists. Keep in mind that clothing is optional and nude sunbathing is permitted.
El Cotillo Beach
Several bays, separated by lava rocks, make up this beach area. Also a contender once as one of the best beaches in Europe, according to TripAdvisor travelers, the water is very shallow, making it a great spot for families with young children, and the fine sand makes for great sunbathing. Again, clothing is optional, and nude sunbathing is allowed.
El Salmo Beach
Another quiet beach that is frequently overlooked by visitors, since no hotels are located nearby. The sand is fine, but there are lots of lava rocks scattered about, so sunbathing may be difficult. Still, if you want to escape the crowds, it’s a solid choice.
Esquinzo Beach
This small beach has fine sand with larger lava rocks, that you can easily work around and even stroll from one bay to the other. Family-friendly, with a town located nearby, this is a very popular beach. Nude sunbathing is accepted and clothing is optional.
Giniginamar Beach
This remote beach on a pebbly bay is more of a local favorite than a tourist one. A scattering of fishing boats and limited numbers of visitors make it a rather romantic beach spot. Sit and talk, have a picnic, and enjoy having only a few people around you.
Gran Tarajal Beach
The beach on a large bay has fine sand that makes it perfect for sunbathing, although it’s more popular with locals than with tourists. Enjoy swimming and sunning yourself, or find a pick-up game of beach football (there are goals on the beach).
Jandia Peninsula
13 miles of sandy beaches make this a popular spot for beach lovers. It’s divided into four sections, each with its own special personality, and offering something for everyone. Clothing is optional on these beaches.
La Lajita Beach
This small beach on a quiet bay is primarily a fishing area, so you’ll find more locals than tourists. The palm-lined sand is dark and fine near the water, becoming rockier as you move away.
La Pared Bay
Rough surf and a strong current make this beach unsuitable for swimming, but it is a beautiful showcasing of natural beauty. If you’re happy just to sunbathe with the sound of crashing surf, this beach is for you.
Las Playitas Beach
This fine, dark sand beach is a local favorite. It has no public access and you must go through hotel gardens to get to the beach. There is a sailing school, as well as kayaks and surfboards available for rent.
Mal Nombre Beach
Calm, shallow waters and fine sand make this a great beach for families. Get there early and snag one of the small black sandcastles, perfect for laying on the beach in privacy. Clothing is optional and permitted.
Playa de Garcey Beach
This spot is the former resting place of the American Star Liner which sunk in the waters right in front of the beach but has now been removed. Getting to the beach is a real effort, and will take you through the scenic country, but strong currents and dangerous jellyfish make this unsuitable for swimming.
Puerto de la Cruz Beaches
Predominantly locals visit these rocky beaches around small bays. The nearby town is the southernmost part of the island and is full of sights worth seeing. Combine a visit to the beach, with a visit to the town, for a great day trip.
Sotavento Beaches
These beaches are quite windy, making them popular with surfers, windsurfers and kiteboarders, but not so much with sunbathers – unless you fancy lots of sand in your face (pictured above).
There are some protected areas in which to lay, so get there early to nab one. The water is shallow and good for entertaining small children, but you will need to watch out for lots of water activity. Clothing is optional and nude sunbathing is widely accepted.
Tarajalejo Beach
A little off the beaten path, this dark sand beach is full of rocks and pebbles but makes an easy stop-off if you’re walking on the promenade that runs alongside it. Lots of services are available in the area and you can even hire a catamaran!
Finding a hotel near the best Fuerteventura beaches isn’t difficult. Use this map to start your search.
Fuerteventura Beaches, Some of The Best Beaches in The Canary Islands
Whether you’re looking for stretches of unspoiled beaches, full of fun and activities, or just want somewhere remote and quiet, Fuerteventura (Canary Islands) Spain has the right beach for you!
If you enjoy a beach vacation, pin this to one of your Pinterest boards so that you always have the information handy when you need it.
