With over 150 beaches and 340 days of sunshine, Fuerteventura has some of the finest sand in Europe. We've ranked the very best — from wild Atlantic shores to sheltered family bays.
Fuerteventura boasts more beach per square kilometre than any other Canary Island — and the quality matches the quantity. The island's north-east trade winds keep temperatures mild year-round (22–28°C in summer, 18–22°C in winter), while the Atlantic delivers clean, clear water that rivals the Caribbean in colour. Here are the beaches we consider essential.
1. Playa de Corralejo (Town Beach)
The most accessible beach in the north of the island, Corralejo's town beach stretches for several kilometres south of the port. The water is calm and shallow near town, deepening as you head south towards the dunes. You'll find restaurants, sunbed hire, showers, and lifeguards during summer — ideal for families and first-time visitors. On a clear day you can see Lobos island and Lanzarote on the horizon.
2. Corralejo Dunes (Parque Natural de Corralejo)
Stretching 10km south of Corralejo town, the Corralejo Natural Park contains some of the most spectacular beaches in the entire Canary Islands. The vast Sahara-like dunes — up to 2km wide and protected by law — back onto wild, wave-lashed Atlantic beaches. The water here can be rough and the current strong, so always check conditions before swimming. The landscape is breathtaking — rolling white dunes, volcanic rock, turquoise sea.
3. Flag Beach (Playa de la Bandera)
Located within the dunes park, Flag Beach is famous worldwide as the home of kitesurfing and windsurfing in Fuerteventura. The beach itself is wide, clean, and backed by the natural dunes — but the real spectacle is the sky above, filled with colourful kites whenever the trade winds blow (which is most of the time). Even if you're not here to kite, it's worth visiting just for the spectacle. Several beach bars and watersports schools line the shore.
4. Playa de Cofete
The remotest and most dramatic beach on the island. To reach Cofete, you drive the mountain track through the Jandía Natural Park — either by 4x4 or on an excursion tour — and descend to a wild 12km arc of golden sand that feels entirely cut off from the modern world. The Atlantic swell here is powerful and the undertow can be dangerous, so swimming requires real caution, but the scenery is absolutely extraordinary. A tiny, lonely bar serves simple food. Come for the views; leave with them imprinted in memory.
5. Playa de Sotavento
On the south-east coast, Sotavento Beach is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve site and home of the annual PWA Windsurf & Kitesurf World Cup. What makes it unique is a tidal lagoon that forms between a natural sandbar and the shore — at low tide, the lagoon is knee-deep and perfectly flat, making it a haven for beginners and families. At high tide the sandbar disappears and the beach is exposed to open Atlantic swells favoured by riders. The sheer scale of the beach — over 20km of it runs along the Jandía peninsula — is awe-inspiring.
6. El Cotillo Lagoons
The fishing village of El Cotillo on the west coast is home to a series of natural rock pools and lagoons that are among the most family-friendly swimming spots on the island. The volcanic rock formations create sheltered turquoise pools barely disturbed by the ocean beyond. El Cotillo also has a wide, sheltered beach to the north — Playa de los Lagos — that gets excellent reviews. The village itself is charming, with excellent fish restaurants.
7. Playa de Jandia
The main resort beach of the Jandía peninsula, running for several kilometres between Morro Jable and the peninsula tip. Wide, golden, backed by low dunes, with calm, clear water protected from the strong winds — Jandia beach has all the amenities (sunbeds, bars, water sports) for a relaxed resort holiday. Snorkelling in the rocky areas at either end reveals excellent marine life.
8. Playa de Grandes Playas
South of Corralejo, separated from the town beach by a rocky headland, Grandes Playas is more exposed and therefore quieter than the town beach. The water is cleaner, the sand immaculate, and the surf more consistent — making it a favourite with bodyboarders. No facilities, so bring everything you need.
9. Majanicho
A small, remote village on the north coast accessible via a rough dirt track. Majanicho is known to surfers for its excellent reef break, and to divers and snorkellers for remarkably clear water and diverse marine life. There are no tourist facilities — just a scattering of fishermen's huts, wild coastline, and some of the clearest Atlantic water you'll find anywhere on the island.
10. Playa del Moro
Just south of Corralejo near the Riu hotels, Playa del Moro has a wide, sheltered section of beach popular with families and windsurfers learning the ropes. The water is shallower and calmer than the open coast, and the dunes backdrop is stunning. A popular spot for watching sunsets over the water.
11. Playa de la Escalera
One of the best-kept secrets in northern Fuerteventura, accessible only by descending a steep staircase carved into the cliff face. The isolation keeps it quieter than the main beaches, and the clear water and scenic surroundings reward the effort of getting there. A local favourite for snorkelling.
12. Playa del Castillo (El Cotillo)
On the south side of El Cotillo, the beach fronting the old Toston watchtower is a wide, sheltered bay with excellent facilities and an atmosphere that remains genuinely laid-back despite growing in popularity. The evening light on the castle makes for spectacular photographs, and the nearby restaurants serve some of the freshest fish on the island.
Stay Close to the Best Beaches
Our villas in Corralejo are within walking distance of the town beach and a short drive from the dunes, Flag Beach, Grandes Playas and El Cotillo. There's no better base for beach-hopping across northern Fuerteventura. See our beachfront villas →