Fuerteventura is one of Europe's best family holiday destinations — with safe, calm beaches, year-round sunshine, and endless activities for all ages. Here's everything families need to know.
Why Fuerteventura is Perfect for Families
Families return to Fuerteventura year after year for good reason: the island is safe, the weather is reliably wonderful, the beaches are magnificent, and it manages to offer something for every age — from toddlers in calm lagoons to teenagers discovering kitesurfing for the first time, to parents finally getting a holiday that feels like a holiday.
Best Family Beaches
Corralejo Town Beach: Wide, clean, gently shelving into calm, clear water — the sandy bottom is visible at 2–3m depth. Lifeguards are present in peak season. Within walking distance of restaurants, ice-cream shops, and all the conveniences of town. Perfect for building sandcastles and safe paddling for little ones.
El Cotillo Lagoons: The rock-pool lagoons north of El Cotillo village are a revelation for children. The natural volcanic formations create sheltered pools of warm, crystal-clear water barely disturbed by the ocean beyond. Children of all ages can safely wade, snorkel, and explore. It's entirely natural and utterly magical.
Playa del Moro: A sheltered beach within the dunes park, often calmer than the open coast. Facilities are more limited but the setting within the dunes is spectacular.
Caleta de Fuste Bay: On the east coast, this purpose-built resort bay has the calmest, most protected water on the island — almost always flat, like a swimming pool. Ideal for very young children or nervous swimmers.
Activities for Children
Baku Water Park: Located 3km south of Corralejo, Baku has slides, splash zones, a lazy river, and wave pools. It's genuinely good — not a token attraction — and will comfortably fill a full day for children aged 3–16. Discounts for online advance booking.
Lobos Island boat trip: The 20-minute ferry crossing to uninhabited Lobos Island is an adventure in itself. Once there, children can snorkel, explore rock pools, look for lizards, and walk the easy circular trail around the volcanic cone. Pack snacks and water.
Camel rides at Corralejo Oasis: A short camel ride at the camel park near Corralejo is a guaranteed hit with younger children. The camels are docile and the experience a memorable novelty.
Surfing lessons: Children from age 7–8 can join beginner surf lessons — most schools have small boards and patient instructors experienced with young learners. The beach-break waves at El Cotillo are gentle enough for even very young first-timers.
Snorkelling: Invest in a decent mask and fins set (or hire them locally) and explore the rocky headlands near Corralejo. The marine life is extraordinary — vivid parrot fish, wrasse, sea urchins, octopus, and the occasional ray or small shark. Children who can swim confidently will be absolutely entranced.
Whale and dolphin watching: Catamaran trips with marine biologists on board run daily from Corralejo port. Pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins are seen on most trips — a genuinely moving experience for children and adults alike.
Family-Friendly Eating
Canarian food is naturally suited to children — simple grilled fish, papas arrugadas, omelettes (tortilla española), and fresh salads are universally available and inoffensive to even fussy eaters. The bread here is excellent. Most restaurants in Corralejo welcome children without any of the restraint you might find in mainland Europe.
Self-catering in a villa is a game-changer for family holidays — you can prepare familiar meals for those nights when the children are overtired and you'd rather not venture out, while enjoying restaurant meals on calmer evenings.
Getting Around with Children
A car is essential for a family holiday — you'll want the flexibility to head to whichever beach suits the day's wind and conditions, and to carry all the equipment (buckets, snorkel gear, towels, sunscreen) that a family accumulates. Car hire in Fuerteventura is affordable and all the main companies have family-sized options. Baby and child seats must be requested in advance.
Staying in a Villa vs a Hotel
For families, villa rental is almost always the better choice. The reasons are straightforward: more space (essential for children who need to run around), a kitchen to prepare snacks and simple meals, a private outdoor space for evening barbecues and early bedtimes without disturbing anyone, and a home-away-from-home atmosphere that reduces holiday stress significantly. Our villas in Corralejo have all of this — including outdoor terraces with sea views where parents can relax once the children are in bed. View our family villas →