The best beaches

The Beaches of Jandía

Some of the paradisiacal beaches of Fuerteventura are located on the Jandía Peninsula on the southwest corner of the island. We were a bit confused by the fact that with the name of the beaches of Jandía they refer to the beaches that are on the east coast of this peninsula and not to a specific beach. What these beaches have in common are the fine white-gold sand and crystalline waters of a color that seems to have come from a dream.

1. Playa de Sotavento / Playa de la Barca

The Sotavento Beach (also called Playa de la Barca) is a true postcard beach and for many it is the best beach in Fuerteventura, since in few places in the world you will find a spectacular beach whose length reaches several kilometers. This beach has the characteristic of radically changing its appearance with the tide. When the tide falls, a lagoon forms between the shore of the sea and the tongue of sand that rises about 100-400 meters from the shore.

The Sotavento beach is a long beach suitable for a wonderful walk when the tide is low and it is a phenomenal place for beginners of water sports such as kitesurfing, etc.

Viento/ Oleaje: Aquí casi siempre sopla viento fuerte, por eso es una de las zonas favoritas de los surfistas.

Cómo llegar: Yendo en dirección sur por la península de Jandía hay que coger la salida «Playas de Jandía» después de pasar Costa Calma. Luego encontrarás la indicación «Playa de la Barca» que te lleva a la Playa del Sotavento o Playa de la Barca.

2. Playa del Risco del Paso

La Playa del Risco del Paso también pertenece a la zona de las Playas de Sotavento,  es otra de las bonitas playas de arena dorada de la zona. A nosotros esta zona parecía algo más tranquila con menos surfistas para banarse en tranquilidad tanto en la laguna como en el mar, pero aquí también el viento suele soplar bastante.

Wind / Swell: Here there is almost always a strong wind, which is why it is one of the favorite areas for surfers.

How to get there: Going south on the peninsula of Jandía, take the “Playas de Jandía” exit after passing Costa Calma . Then you will find the indication “Playa de la Barca” that takes you to Playa del Sotavento or Playa de la Barca.

3. Beach of the Bad Name

Perhaps our favorite beach in this area of ​​Fuerteventura has been the Playa del Mal Nombre, one of the little known beaches of the island. Much less frequented than the other beaches of Sotavento, is where you’ll find the wildest aspect of this beautiful area of ​​golden-white sand beaches. The black rocks of the cliff are very close to the shore, therefore the view is more dramatic and there is also more shade. It is the zone of the beaches of Jandía where we find less people and without a doubt it is the one that we would recommend the most.

Wind / Surf: Fairly protected by the rocks that the other beaches of Sotavento.

How to get there: Follow the road of FV-2 and take the exit called «Mal Nombre». Then follow the indication for the Tierra Dorada Restaurant.

4. Beaches of Esquinzo and Botihundo

These two beaches are located in the area between the beaches of Sotavento and Morro del Jable, the most important town on the peninsula. The surf is quite smooth in general and the look is similar to the Sotavento beaches although with more rocks on the beach. The beaches are very nice, but we did not like this area so much because here the resorts are more present and closer to the beach.

Wind / Swell: Generally quite low swell, ideal for bathing.

How to get there: Take the Butihondo detour from the FV-2 and then follow some of the dirt roads between the hotels in the area to reach different points on the beach.

5. Matorral Beach

It is one of the few urban beaches of Fuerteventura that you can not miss. Although the resorts and shopping centers in the background are omnipresent, this beautiful beach, dominated by the lighthouse of Morro Jable, is very pleasant to spend a few hours. If you are disturbed by tourist crowds, we recommend going in the early morning hours or at dusk when it is much quieter.

Wind / Surf: Quite calm water generally, if the wind does not blow, it is an ideal place for families.

How to get there: The main road FV-2 crosses the town of Morro del Jable, on the same road you can park (if you are lucky find a square) and then with a short walk across the natural area protected by one of the roads enabled to reach the beach.

Fuente: “Surfing the Planet”