Fuerteventura isn’t just about its stunning golden beaches and crystal-clear waters. This island is a treasure trove of natural wonders waiting to be explored, like the sand dunes of Corralejo Natural Park and the extinct volcanoes of Jandia Natural Park. With warm summers and mild winters, it’s the perfect destination for a relaxed sunny getaway any time of the year.
Let us craft your tailor-made trip for an unforgettable experience, perfectly tailored to your expectations and budget.
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Fuerteventura in a few words
Formerly known as Fortaventure, Fuerteventura is the second largest island in the Canary Islands archipelago, which belongs to Spain. The island is located in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 100 kilometers off the coast of southern Morocco. It is characterized by arid landscapes, consisting of dunes and volcanoes.
Formed by volcanic eruptions over twenty million years ago, Fuerteventura is the oldest of the Canary Islands. Its first inhabitants, the Guanches or Majoreros, likely arrived from North Africa around the 1st millennium BC. They were succeeded by other peoples, such as the Phoenicians (11th century BC), the Greeks, the Romans, the Arabs (999 AD), and the Moors, but none established a lasting colonization.
In 1408, Jean de Béthencourt, a Frenchman in the service of Castile, conquered the Guanches during an expedition to the Canary Islands. In 1424, Fuerteventura became part of Spain, and in 1456, feudalism was established there.
In 1740, the English made two unsuccessful attempts to reclaim the island from the Spanish. The feudal law was abolished in 1836, and Fuerteventura became an autonomous region in 1912. Since the 1960s, tourism has emerged as the primary economic activity on the island.
➜ In 1965, a pair of Barbary squirrels were introduced to the island of Fuerteventura. With no natural predators, the species quickly became invasive. It is not uncommon to come across signs urging people not to feed them!
Where to stay in Fuerteventura?
Fuerteventura offers a wide range of accommodations, from luxurious hotels to local apartments for rent, as well as all-inclusive resort complexes.
- In the northern part of the island, Corralejo stands out as one of the most sought-after destinations for tourists. With a wide selection of hotels, bars, shops, and restaurants, it offers a diverse range of options for visitors to enjoy.
- In close proximity to the airport lies the Costa Caleta zone, home to luxury hotels, all-inclusive resorts, and golf courses.
- On the southern side of the island, Morro Jable boasts a plethora of hotels and restaurants along its exquisite beachfront.
➜ We have chosen the Riu Oliva Beach Resort as our hotel of choice. Located on the northern coast of Fuerteventura, this beachfront complex offers direct access to the stunning Grandes Playas beach and is nestled within the picturesque dunes of Corralejo.
Despite its slightly dated appearance, the hotel offers spacious family rooms and an array of comfortable amenities for those traveling with children, including pools, sports facilities, buffet restaurants, and a kids’ club. All of this is provided at a very reasonable all-inclusive price.
Located just across, the Hotel Riu Palace Tres Islas offers newer facilities at a slightly higher price range. These are the only two hotels situated in the Corralejo dunes.
Favorite places ❤️ near the hotel
What to see, what to do in Fuerteventura?
Fuerteventura offers numerous activities for enjoying beautiful family vacations. Relaxing on the beach, swimming, snorkeling, golfing, paddleboarding, surfing, or hiking – there are so many things you can do from various resorts on the island.
We explored the northern and southern parts of the island before embarking on a day-long cruise.
Exploring El Cotillo and the Tostón Lighthouse
El Cotillo is a peaceful coastal village nestled in the northwest of Fuerteventura. Renowned for its picturesque beaches, delightful white houses with blue doors, and authentic essence, El Cotillo exudes the rhythm of its local fishermen and the allure of tourists seeking traditional Canarian cuisine at one of the many restaurants scattered throughout the charming streets of the village.
With highly favorable wind and wave conditions, El Cotillo is a beloved destination for surfers. Piedra Playa and Playa de Esquizo rank among the most popular beaches for surfing and kitesurfing.
To the north of El Cotillo, pristine beaches beckon for relaxation in a much less touristy ambiance compared to other resorts in Fuerteventura. Among them, Playa de la Concha offers a sheltered bathing area protected from the waves by an imposing barrier of rocks at the forefront of the bay. With its crystalline waters, fine sand contrasting with black lava rocks, and a handful of charming beachside eateries, this place becomes an idyllic destination for a relaxing family getaway.
Not far away, the Los Charcos coves blend white sand, black basalt flows, and crystal-clear water, creating a collection of natural pools perfect for a refreshing swim.
Located 4 kilometers north of El Cotillo, the Toston Lighthouse (Faro del Tostón) was constructed in the 19th century. Together with the Punta Pechiguera Lighthouse in Playa Blanca, it marks the Bocayna Strait, lying between the islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.
Faro del Tostón is actually a complex consisting of three lighthouses from three distinct generations, with only the latest one still operational.
Built in 1897, the first lighthouse is a 7-meter-tall masonry tower, located beside the lighthouse keeper’s house. Due to its low height, a new 15-meter-tall concrete tower is constructed in 1960, only to be replaced by a third lighthouse built in 1986. Painted with red and white stripes, the latest tower stands at an impressive height of 30 meters.
While climbing the lighthouse is not permitted, the former keeper’s house has been converted into a publicly accessible museum, complete with a café and picnic tables. At sunset, the panoramic view of the sea and the northwest coast of Fuerteventura is truly breathtaking.
Excursion to Punta de Jandía
From Corralejo, it takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes by car (140km) to reach Punta de Jandía. So, we embark on a day trip, making several planned stops along the way…
First stop in La Lajita, a charming village located on the east coast of the island. It is mainly famous for its close proximity to Oasis Park Fuerteventura, a captivating animal and botanical park that showcases a diverse range of exotic animals, birds, reptiles, and plants. Additionally, La Lajita hosts the annual Feria de la Lajita, an agricultural and artisan fair that celebrates local products, craftsmanship, and the rich culture of the region.
We continue our journey to the south. After Morro Jable, we enter one of the most remote regions of the island, the Jandía Nature Park. Here, the asphalt road gives way to a winding and rugged track. It is advisable to venture into it with caution 😅
The desert landscapes alternate between secluded beaches and volcanic formations, enhancing the awe-inspiring views of the ocean’s azure beauty.
The Punta Jandía Lighthouse (Faro de Punta Jandía) stands proudly at the southern tip of Fuerteventura. With its inauguration dating back to 1864, it is among the oldest lighthouses in the Canary Islands.
Built in the typical style of 19th-century Canary Islands lighthouses, Punta Jandía lighthouse features a single-story whitewashed house crowned by a dark volcanic rock tower, soaring to a height of 19 meters.
The keeper’s house has been transformed into an interpretation center for Jandía Natural Park. Within the center, there are five rooms, each providing information about a specific aspect of the reserve, such as its volcanic origins, marine life, fauna, and flora.
Located just 5 minutes away from the lighthouse, Playa de los Ojos is a renowned beach known for its extraordinary rock formations that have created enchanting caves and natural pools where seawater ebbs and flows with the tides. These captivating pools, aptly named “Ojos de Mar” or “Eyes of the Sea,” give the beach its distinctive name.
Access to Playa de los Ojos is through a trail that starts from the parking lot and ends at the cliff’s edge, leading to a staircase down to the beach. From there, the largest cave is just a few meters to the left. However, it’s important to note that the cave is only accessible during low tide!
We make a stop at the bustling seaside town of Morro Jable for a quick lunch break. After a leisurely stroll along the picturesque promenade, we make our way to the beautiful Playa del Matorral and the Morro Jable lighthouse.
Also known as La Entallada Lighthouse, the Morro Jable Lighthouse stands as the tallest lighthouse in the Canary Islands. Completed in 1991, its reinforced concrete conical tower supports a square terrace and a lantern that reaches a towering height of 59 meters.
At the base of the lighthouse, the Beach Bar El Faro boasts a lovely terrace overlooking the vast beach before it. On the menu, you’ll find fresh fish, prawns, paella, and a superb sangria 🍹
On the way back, we make a final stop to admire the breathtaking view of Playa de Sotavento, one of the most renowned beaches in Fuerteventura.
The Sotavento Beach stretches for several kilometers along the eastern coast of the island. Renowned for its favorable wind conditions, it is an ideal spot for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Additionally, the beach regularly hosts international competitions.
Nearby the beach, magnificent sand dunes enhance the beauty of the landscape and provide a delightful playground for both young and old alike…
Catamaran Excursion
Our cruise begins at the port of Corralejo, where the crew and the catamaran await us for a day of exploration.
After a few safety instructions, we set off from the port towards Isla de los Lobos. Everyone finds their place… The children are having a blast on the nets, they are overjoyed.
The Isla de los Lobos (Isle of the Wolves) is a small island located in the Bocayna Strait, between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. It derives its name from the monk seals, also known as “sea wolves,” that once inhabited the area.
Renowned for its pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters, the island has been designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Due to this privileged status, access to the island is limited to a specific number of daily visitors, thus necessitating the acquisition of authorization in order to embark upon its shores.
We have decided not to disembark on the island and instead spend more time on our boat. The captain continues to sail towards Lanzarote and Playa Mujeres.
Once the anchor is dropped, everyone plunges into the water for a session of stand-up paddleboarding and snorkeling while waiting for the delicious paella scheduled for lunchtime.
The plates of paella are devoured in no time. It’s time for a little nap on the dock before setting sail again…
We are heading back towards Isla de los Lobos, this time circling it from the other side.
We catch a few dolphins in the distance, but despite several attempts to get closer, we are unable to see them any better. We continue towards Playa de la Concha de Lobos for the last stop of the day. While the children return to the water, we enjoy a delightful aperitif moment with the captain.
The final stretch of the journey lies ahead. In the distance, our hotel beckons amidst the enchanting dunes.
It’s a shame that the cruise is coming to an end; we were really enjoying our time on the boat…
Let us craft your tailor-made trip for an unforgettable experience, perfectly tailored to your expectations and budget.
Reach out to us at hello@nanoo.travel to get your personalised quote!
