Just northwest of Africa, the island of Fuerteventura sits among Spain’s Canary Islands like a jewel in the azure Atlantic.
It’s a sandy, tropical paradise with tons of bright sunshine and some of the most spectacular beaches in the world.
In fact, Fuerteventura boasts over 150 beaches that ring the island’s 340 kilometers of coastline.
With sparkling sands and clear waters, Fuerteventura’s beaches attract millions of visitors each year. Therefore, if you are planning to travel to Spain, you should definitely not miss that!
Check out also: Best beaches in Tenerife
12 Best Beaches in Fuerteventura
- Esquinzo-Butihondo Beach
- Playa de la Barca
- Caleta de Fuste
- Playa de Cofete
- Popcorn Beach
- Playa del Viejo Rey
- Playa Blanca
- Playa de Gran Tarajal
- Sotavento Beach
- El Cotillo Beach & Lagoons
- Grandes Playas
FAQs about beaches in Fuerteventura
Playa de Cofete and Playa Blanca are the most popular and considered as the best beaches on Fuerteventura island, loved by locals and tourists.
The best parts and places to stay in Fuerteventura are Caleta de Fuste, Corralejo, and El Cotillo.
The temperature of the Ocean in Fuerteventura is lower than in Europe but you can swim. It’s usually between 18 and 22 °C, depending on the season.
Best Beaches in Fuerteventura 2022
Esquinzo-Butihondo Beach
In the southeast of Fuerteventura, this beach stretches between these two towns and is a great place for singles, seniors or families with kids.
The long, sandy beach is very clean, has clear, calm waters and a resident lifeguard. The northern end of the beach has a water sports rental center and is a designated water sports zone where you can windsurf, paddle board or sail.
Water sports are prohibited in the middle beach area, so it is safe and ideal for swimmers. There is plenty of space for walkers and runners or those that want to relax in one of the two beach bars, which have international, eclectic menus. Sun worshippers can rent one of the loungers to top up their tan or head to the north, natural area where nudism is accepted.
The beach has two parking lots with easy beach access and public restrooms with showers.
Playa de la Barca
Located near Costa Calma, this is the perfect beach for water sports enthusiasts.
It’s one of the most popular on the island for windsurfing and kite surfing due to two world-famous water sports centers that offer rental equipment, courses and snack bars.
La Barca beach is popular with couples and families, has a lifeguard, restrooms, showers, and miles of soft, golden sand, making it a gem of a family, beach vacation.
At high tide, every two weeks, the fine, sandy beach turns into a shallow, calm lagoon making it extra safe for children to swim and kite surf or surfers to practice their skills. There is plenty of space for sunbathing and beach furniture is available to rent.
The beach is easy to find due to it being well signposted. There is parking at both ends of the beach, which is accessed by steps from the parking lot.
Caleta de Fuste
Also known as “El Castillo” or more colloquially as “Shank’s Shark”, Caleta de Fuste is one of Fuerteventura’s most popular beaches thanks to its proximity to the airport as well as the city of Puerto del Rosario — the island’s capital.
Over 800 meters long, Calete de Fuste beach is popular with families and offers an exhaustive array of activities for all age groups. Caleta de Fuste provides safety and security to its guests with a lifeguard patrolling its sun-strewn sands and separate areas for swimming and water sports.
Caleta de Fuste is also a haven for thrill-seekers. It offers jet skis, canoes, pedalos, and kayaks for rent. If you crave even more excitement, head south to the windsurf center. There you’ll find surfers of all skill levels, beginners and pros riding the waves.
Visitors can also opt for something a bit more chill. Explore the shores in a glass-bottom boat, or take a tour and view dolphins, whales and sea turtles!
Playa de Cofete
The beautiful Playa de Cofete in southern Fuerteventura is an impressive 11 km long and offers truly breathtaking scenery. The beach sits within Cofete National Park on the Jandia Peninsula. Cofete is known as the “king of beaches”, but still remains relatively uncrowded.
Even in the midst of tourist season, there are typically only a handful of sightseers. The drive from Morro Jable takes about an hour and a half along a winding road through rough terrain, but once you reach the beach, you’ll find unmatched beauty that was worth the trip. The mountains which surround the beach are simply gorgeous the Playa de Cofete is the perfect spot to escape the bustle of fast-paced modern life.
Since Playa de Cofete is isolated off the beaten path, facilities such as showers and toilets are not available. Also, there are no lifeguards patrolling the beach. It’s also advised that you bring a picnic lunch with you as there are very few food options available. There are no restaurants on the beach, however, in the nearby village, a small local eatery offers regional delicacies.
If you’re adventurous and a lover of nature, be sure to add Playa de Cofete to your list of must-see beaches in Fuerteventura.
Popcorn Beach (Playa del Bajo de la Burra)
The island of Fuerteventura is full of various natural wonders but Popcorn Beach is certainly one of the most striking ones.
It is set just a short drive from Corralejo and had been unknown to tourists for many years. But it was recently discovered by social media influencers and became one of the most instagrammable spots in the whole of Fuerteventura.
Yes, you got it right. The name of this beach (officially known as Playa del Bajo de la Burra) comes from hardened algae that resemble popcorn and cover the beach. But be careful, don’t take any pebble home as a souvenir – they are protected.
Small patches of popcorn can be found at other nearby beaches, too, such as El Hierro. And even though you can’t enjoy swimming there that much, this area is definitely worth visiting to make some memories and take a picture.
Playa del Viejo Rey
It’s impossible to visit Fuerteventura and not want to take an excursion to Playa del Viejo Rey. Sheer cliffs and crashing waves provide an idyllic setting, and surfers frequent the beach finding the conditions perfect for their sport.
But Playa del Viejo Rey isn’t just for surfers. Anyone looking for beautiful scenery, will want to spend some time in this rugged landscape of mighty cliffs.
This beach has been left completely natural and you’ll find no amenities on Playa del Viejo Rey itself, however the nearby village of La Pared offers restaurants, surfing instruction, accommodations and more.
Playa del Viejo Rey is especially magical in the evening as unforgettable sunsets tinge the sky above the Atlantic with pinks, oranges and reds. From the tops of the cliffs onlookers have a magnificent view of the rugged coastline and beaches below as the sky puts on its colorful display. Playa del Viejo Rey sunsets offer visitors an unmatched sight which often leaves them feeling inspired and overwhelmed.
Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca, on the eastern side of the island, is a short walk from the center of Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura’s capital city. This stunning, fine sand beach stretches for one kilometer and is known as an environmentally friendly, visitor-safe beach.
Playa Blanca has lifeguards on duty during busy times and is a popular spot with locals looking to get away from the city for an hour or two.
The beach is also frequented by surfers looking to ride the waves which can be found here most of the time. No doubt, it’s recognized as one of the best places to surf in Europe.
Although Playa Blanca attracts many locals, plenty of tourists find their way to this beach. Visitors consist of families and couples alike. Tourists should note that although Playa Blanca is not a nude beach, there may be topless bathers taking advantage of the sun’s golden rays.
All in all, you can’t go beat a relaxing day at Playa Blanca!
Playa de Gran Tarajal
Gran Tarajal is Fuerteventura’s third-largest city and is located on the southeastern shore of the island. Playa de Gran Tarajal is the city beach, located near the harbor and fronted by a beautiful bay. At approximately one kilometer long, the beach is set against the beautiful backdrop of the city’s pastel-washed houses and is a perfect spot for relaxing. A lively promenade lines the beach and offers visitors their choice of cafes, restaurants and bars.
Gran Tarajal is an enticing destination for swimmers and divers as well as kiteboarders and windsurfers, luring them with clear, shimmering water and golden sand. There are also sporting facilities available on the beach for active visitors including a football field and a volleyball net. An extensive children’s playground is also present.
Playa de Gran Tarajal reflects the laid-back city from which it derives its name. This sleepy town has not yet been the subject of heavy tourism, and most of the beach’s visitors are local residents. If you’re searching for a quiet getaway, and a low-key alternative to some of Fuerteventura’s busier beaches, you’d be hard pressed to find a better place to unwind than Playa de Gran Tarajal.
Sotavento Beach
Sotavento Beach is located in Costa Calma in Feurteventura’s southeastern shore. Spanish for “calm coast”, it is an exceptionally pristine beach spearheaded with jagged outcrops of volcanic rock. No surfers will be found here as the beach fronts some of the calmest waters on island. Only the gentlest waves lap the shore, making Sotavento a truly amazing choice for swimmers.
Occasional strong winds make this a favorite spot for windsurfers and kiteboarders, and visitors may be tempted to join in the fun as courses and equipment are available for rent at the nearby windsurfing school.
There’s plenty of room along the beach for kids to play and for couples to enjoy a romantic stroll at the water’s edge. Just offshore, jet-skis and boats rule the water and are also available for hire to visitors.
Sotavento Beach truly is fun in the sun!
El Cotillo Beach & Lagoons
El Cotillo beach sits on Fuerteventura’s west coast and consists of white, clean sand and rocky outcroppings. Sheltered from breaking waves, this fabulous beach is picturesque and stunning. Visitors enjoy impressive ocean views and miles of sandy beaches to explore. You will not find rows of sunbeds and umbrellas at El Cotillo, as you would on many of Fuerteventura’s other beaches. Instead, beach goers enjoy wonderful, natural beaches with fine sand and clear water.
The beach is clothing optional and nude sunbathers are prevalent, so bear this in mind when planning your visit. You might even consider joining the fun!
In addition to the beach, El Cotillo is known for its tranquil lagoons which are protected by a natural reef from the Atlantic’s thunderous surf. Visitors can snorkel, swim or paddle in these calm, shallow areas. As with many other of Fuerteventura’s beautiful beaches, windsurfing and kiteboarding are popular activities. If you’re spending time on Fuerteventura, you could do far worse than enjoying a day at El Cotillo!
Grandes Playas
Soft white sand, warm waters and lots of sailboarding and kite surfing make Grandes Playas a simply incredible place to visit, and indeed many visitors claim Grandes Playas is their favorite of all of Fuerteventura’s beaches.
Found on the island’s northeastern coast, this beach is huge and spotlessly clean with beautiful rolling dunes. It is regularly patrolled by lifeguards, so swimmer’s safety is not an issue. And the best part? It’s really close to Corralejo! Close enough so visitors can walk to this lovely beach if they choose.
Grandes Playas offers amazing views of the neighboring island — beautiful tropical Isla de Lobos. If you wish to visit Lobos, you can catch a ferry from Corralejo.
If you’re in the mood for something a bit more exotic, Grandes Playas offers camel rides! This unique, fun attraction takes both visitors — adults and children — on treks lasting roughly thirty minutes for very reasonable rates.
Grandes Playas offers free parking for autos and sports a charming promenade brimming with restaurants, cafes and bars which offer international and local fair. Don’t miss this amazing beach!
Beaches, Beaches and more Beaches!
While this list of eight of the best beaches in Fuerteventura is extensive and will give you lots to consider as you plan your trip to this Canary Islands paradise, it is by no means complete. Fuerteventura is home to over 150 stunning beaches with enough variety to suit every traveler’s tastes.
In addition, the island offers an abundance of activities, both on water and on land, and pairs them with world-class accommodations, restaurants, shopping and nightlife.
