Fuerteventura

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About Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura, a Spanish island, is one of the Canary Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa. It is situated at 28°20' north, 14°00' west.

The elongated island has an area of 1660 km². The island is 100 km long from and 31 km wide.
It is part of the province of Las Palmas. It is divided into six municipalities:
· Antigua
· Betancuria
· La Oliva
· Pájara
· Puerto del Rosario
· Tuineje
100 individual settlements are distributed through these municipalities. A nearby islet, Islote de Lobos, is part of the municipality of La Oliva.
Located just 100 kilometres off the coast of North Africa, it is the second biggest of the islands, after Tenerife, and has the longest beaches in the archipelago. The island is a paradise for sun, beach and water sports enthusiasts.
The island is on the same latitude as Florida and Mexico and temperatures here rarely fall below 18°C or rise above 24°C. There are no fewer than 152 beaches along its coastline - 50 kilometres of fine, white sand and 25 kilometres of black volcanic shingle.

Fuerteventura is the oldest island in the Canary Islands dating back 20 million years to a volcanic eruption. The majority of the island was created about 5 million years ago and since then eroded by wind and weather. On the seabed off the west coast of the island rests a block of rock 22km long and 11km wide, which appears to have slid off the island largely intact at some point in prehistory, similar to the predicted future collapse of neighbouring island Cumbre Vieja. The last volcanic activity in Fuerteventura was between 4,000 to 5,000 years ago.

The highest point in Fuerteventura is Mount Jandía (807 m) in the southwestern part of the island. Geographical features include Istmo de la Pared which is 5 km wide and is the narrowest part of Fuerteventura. The island is divided into two parts, the northern portion which is Maxorata and the southwestern part called the Jandía peninsula. The island is the least settled in the Canary Islands.

The climate on the island throughout the year is pleasant. The island is also called the island of eternal springs. The sea adjusts the temperature making the hot Sahara winds blow away from the island of Fuerteventura. During the winter months, temperatures average a high of 21°C and a low of around 15°C, whereas during the summer a mean high of 27°C and a low of 20°C can be expected. Precipitation is about 147 mm per annum, most of which falls in the winter. The sandstorm known as the scirocco, Leveche in Spain blows to the southwest from the Sahara desert causing high temperatures and low visibility and drying air. Temperatures during this phenomena rise by 10 degrees Celsius. The wind brings in fine white sand, visibility drops to about 100 to 200 m or lower, and also African [locust]s. The local inhabitants call this phenomena the "Calima".

Around the Island

Caleta de Fuste

The man made beach of Caleta is a beautifully curved beach with soft white sand and a gently shelving beach that makes this resort ideal for families. There is plenty to do for the more energetic, such as diving and other water sports. The beach is ideal for families looking for a relaxing holiday. There are sun beds and umbrellas for hire and many restaurants, bars and shops at the back of this beach.

Cotillo

If you are looking for something completely different try the west coast of the island, this coast is known for its wind surfing and surfing. Cotillo beach can be quite rough at times and you will also need to watch out for the strong currents that can catch you out if you are not careful.

Corralejo

Corralego has a number of beaches quite close to the town and the main tourist areas but you can take a twenty minute walk or local transport to the beach just outside of town, this beach seems to go on for ever. Beautiful soft white sand and emerald seas and the beaches never seem to get crowded. The only drawback to these beaches out of town is that they are more open and the wind can become very strong. Most tourists tend to build a wind break or use one of the volcanic rock wind breaks that have been built up over the years. Kite surfing seems to be a growing popular sport on the island and Corralego is quite popular with the locals who make use of the wind on these beaches.

The town beaches are ideal for families and have all the facilities that you would expect with a major tourist resort. A word of caution, some of these beaches have the black rocks in the water so you need to pick your spots when bathing.

Jandia

The area known as Jandia stretches from Morro del Jable to Tarjalejo, resorts in this area include Jandia Playa, Playa de Sotavento, Playa Esmeralda Jandia, Matas Blancas and La ljita.The largest of these is Playa de Sotavento and you will find stretches of these beaches that are very quiet and often deserted.

Puerto del Rosario

This is the capital town on the island and is not that special to write about. The local beach is Playa Blanca and this beach is predominantly used by the locals for surfing.

Costa Calma

Right on the southern tip of the island you will find this resort near Morro Jable. The beach is soft white sands and is used by wind surfers and tourists who just want to relax on a quite stretch of the beach. The resort has been developed around the village called Canada del Rio but today it does does extend for some distance around the beach with restaurants and shops.

The beach is a favourite with many of the locals to keep fit and many joggers and walkers use the beach on a regular basis particularly early in the morning.

Ajuy

If you drive west of Pajara to the coast you will find the small village of Ajuy with its black sandy beach. If you visit Ajuy be sure to seek out the caves that can be found at the far end of the beach.