Where to find the best beaches in Fuerteventura

Best beaches for families

Playa del Matorral

This beach near the Morro Jable Lighthouse is a big favourite with holidaymakers thanks to its shallow, clear water that is perfect for paddling in. The pristine milky white sand is crying out for sandcastles, and you can also try diving and water sports.

Playa la Guirra

On the east coast of the island, La Guirra has gleaming white, soft sand and calm, clean water perfect for splishing and sploshing in. There are also parasols and sun loungers, and it’s very close to Caleta de Fuste – one of the island’s major resorts, so you won’t have to trek too far for shops or restaurants.

Playa de Costa Calma

As the name suggests, the waters on the island’s ‘calm’ southeast coast are wonderfully gentle. Costa Calma is also Fuerteventura’s second largest resort, so there’s no shortage of shops and restaurants, while the Oasis Park Zoo is just a 15-minute drive away.

Best beaches for surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers

Piedra Playa (aka Surfers’ Beach)

With its huge waves and strong winds, surfers, wind surfers and kite surfers can’t get enough of this beach, near El Cotillo in the north of the island. You’ll find several local surfing and kite surfing schools nearby but be aware that the currents can be dangerous when swimming.

Playa de Sotavento

On the southeast of the island, this is another favourite with surfers and kite surfers, thanks to its strong, steady winds. It’s also part of a 23km-stretch (17 miles) of blissfully clean sand and warm waters.

Best beaches for couples

Playa de Barlovento

This wonderfully wild, desert-like beach, near El Cofete in the south of the island may not be the easiest to get to – you have to drive along a bumpy dirt track from Morro Jable or get a bus. But it’s worth it once you arrive. With over 6km (4 miles) of idyllic golden sand, this is about as romantic as they come. It’s popular with naturists too.

Playa del Moro, Dunas de Corralejo

The sand dunes around Corralejo, just south of the main Corralejo resort, are part of a protected National Park area and one of the most beautiful stretches of the island. There are parasols and loungers on the beach as well as an area specially marked for wind and kite surfers. Otherwise, just sink your toes into miles of soft white sand.

Playa Esmeralda

Playa Esmeralda is a great choice for couples looking to escape the hustle and bustle. As its name suggests, the water here is a mesmerising emerald colour, and is pleasantly calm thanks to the shelter of the surrounding cliffs.

You’ll find this 400m-long (1,312 ft) stretch of golden sand on the southeast coast, between Playa de Costa Calma and Playa de Sotavento. There is a car park close to the beach, accessed via a dirt track road.

Best beaches near major resorts

Corralejo Viejo

If you like the idea of lazy days on the beach but want shops, bars and restaurants close at hand, Corralejo Viejo is a great choice. With its fine, golden sand, the beach sits right in front of the promenade, harbour and marina at Corralejo – one of the major tourist resorts on the island.

Caleta de Fuste

A lovely horse-shoe bay with nearly half a mile of pale gold sand, Caleta de Fuste has been nicknamed ‘Little Britain’ thanks to its popularity with British holidaymakers. Beachfront cafes, shops and bars are a pebble’s throw away and there’s also volleyball and mini-golf on the beach. It’s a popular choice with families and windsurfers.

Best beaches for sunbathing with the locals

La Lajita

You’ll be hard pushed to find a less touristy beach than this lovely small fishing bay laced with palm trees on the southeast of Fuerteventura.

Fishermen still set out in their trawlers from here and it’s popular with locals who love the fine dark sand and wonderfully calm waters. Don’t expect parasols or sun loungers, however – it’s not that kind of beach.

Giniginamar

Partly because the beach is mainly pebbly rather than sandy and partly because it’s not that near any of the major resorts, Giniginamar, on the southeast of the island, is another quiet, small bay popular with local islanders.

This is the opposite end of the spectrum from the big beaches but it’s not so remote you won’t find a bite to eat. A couple of bars in the tiny fishing village serve good, local food.

Best beaches for foodies

Playa de Cofete

Cofete is one of the island’s most unspoilt and spectacular beaches, with 12km (8 miles) of golden sand set against the backdrop of the Jandia mountains.

It’s also a foodie find. Restaurant Cofete has one of the most stunning beach views on the island, not to mention top-notch food. The grilled fish and salads are fantastic. But don’t try getting here in a regular car. You’ll need a 4x4.

Playa de la Concha

Tucked away in the northwest of Fuerteventura, this lovely, family friendly cove is famous for its stretch of silky white sand and wonderfully clear, emerald water.

It’s also just a short walk to the harbourfront at El Cotillo where you’ll find La Vaca Azul (The Blue Cow) one of the best seafood restaurants on the island. Try the paella, prawns, squid or mussels.

Playa de Gran Tarajal

Blue Flag Playa de Gran Tarajal is a favourite with locals, boasting dark soft sand, plenty of facilities and clear water perfect for swimming. And thanks to its proximity to Gran Tarajal harbour, it's a top spot for seafood lovers, too. Enjoy sampling the catch of the day from one of the many restaurants, cafes and bars lining the beachfront promenade.

Best beaches for getting away from the crowds

Playa de la Escalera

It may be just half an hour’s walk south of the main beach at El Cotillo, but La Escalera (aka El Aljibe de la Cueva) is one of the most wonderfully wild beaches on the island with miles of golden sand.

This is properly wild, however, so do bring your own picnic, drinks and supplies as you won’t find any shops or bars nearby. And be prepared to scale steep steps to reach it.

Playa de Esquinzo

If you want to get seriously remote and peaceful, they don’t come much more so than Esquinzo. Not to be confused with the more touristy Ezquinzo-Butihondo, this idyllic stretch of golden sand in the north of Fuerteventura is over 6km (4 miles) from the nearest town. The scenery is a spectacular mix of black and white as black volcanic rocks behind the beach suddenly switch to gold next to the emerald ocean.

This is another beach where you’ll need to bring your own food and drink provisions. Be careful in the water too as the currents are strong.