
The best beaches in the south of Fuerteventura
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 Costa Calma
In the Costa Calma area is this magnificent 2 kilometer long beach with soft ocher colored sand and turquoise waters. It is protected by the wind and has no waves, ideal for spending the day with the family with children
Wind / Swell: Here it is almost always calm, hence its name
How to get there: This beach is located just below the complex
Services: Parking, beach bar, restaurant, hammocks, showers
2. Playa Esmeralda Norte
It is a small beach that separates the beaches of Costa Calma from Playa de Sotavento, it is protected from the wind with white sand and turquoise blue waters. It is a hidden beach and not very crowded since the access is not very good, perhaps it is better to get there from the Costa Calma beach.
Wind / Swell: Here it is almost always calm, hence its name
How to get there: We go to Punta del Roquito and the second exit on the left. From Fuerteventura Sol Apartments it is a 4-minute drive
Services: Parking, beach bar, hammocks
3.Playa de Sotavento
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.
Wind / Waves: Strong winds almost always blow here, which is why it is one of the favorite areas for surfers.
How to get there: Going south along the Jandía peninsula, 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. From Fuerteventura Sol Apartments it is 13 minutes by car
Services: Parking, surf school
4. Playa del Risco del Paso
Risco del Paso Beach also belongs to the Sotavento Beaches area, it is another of the beautiful golden sand beaches in the area. It is a somewhat quieter area with fewer surfers to bathe both in the lagoon and in the sea, but here the wind tends to blow quite a bit.
Wind / Swell: Wind almost always strong, better for walking than for sunbathing
How to get there: Follow the FV-2 road and take the exit called “Risco del Paso”. From Fuerteventura Sol Apartments it takes 15 minutes by car
Services: Parking
5. Playa de los Canarios
This beach is considered one of the wildest on the island, making it an ideal place for those fleeing from the mass of hotels. Nudism is usually practiced on this beach since access to it is quite hidden. This beach is one of the most recommended for snorkeling since the seabed in this area is impressive.
Wind / Waves: Light wind and moderate waves.
How to get there: Follow the FV-2 highway and take exit 602 towards C/ Mozart, from Apartamentos Fuerteventura Sol it is a 15-minute drive.
Services: Parking, Chiringuito, nudism, Snorkel
6. Playa del Malnombre
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/Swell: Quite protected by the rocks than the other beaches of Sotavento.
How to get there: Follow the FV-2 road and take the exit called “Mal Nombre”. Then follow the indication for Tierra Dorada Restaurant. From Fuerteventura Sol Apartments it is 13 minutes by car.
Services: Parking, restaurant, hammocks
7. Playas de Esquinzo y Botihondo
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 / Waves: Waves generally quite low, ideal for bathing.
How to get there: Take the Butihondo detour of the FV-2 and then follow one of the dirt roads between the hotels in the area to reach different points on the beach. From Fuerteventura Sol Apartments it is 17 minutes by car
Services: Parking, restaurants, WC, hammocks, accessible beach, showers
8. 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 / Waves: Generally quite calm waters, 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 to find a space) and then with a short walk cross the protected natural area by one of the paths enabled to get there to the beach.
Services: hammocks, restaurants, city beach, accessible, lifeguards, water sports
8. Playa de Juan Gómez
This small beach is located in the Jandía Natural Park, it is a wild beach with fine golden sand and crystal clear waters, with difficult access.
Wind / Waves: Generally quite calm waters, 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, and continues through Punta de Jandía until it reaches the junction for Cofete beach. From Apartamentos Fuerteventura Sol it is a 49-minute drive
Services: no services
10. Playa de lo Ojos
Also known as Playa de El Tigre, it is a small, virgin and wild beach that is very close to Punta de Jandía. The feature that makes this beach famous is the Cueva de la playa de los ojos, where you will find impressive views of the place
Wind / Waves: Large currents and strong waves
How to get there: The main road FV-2 crosses the town of Morro del Jable, and continues towards Punta de Jandía. From Apartamentos Fuerteventura Sol it is a 1 hour drive
Services: no services
11. Playa de Cofete
One of the wildest beaches, with less urban development and larger dimensions in the Canary Islands. Located in the north of the Jandía peninsula, in the south of Fuerteventura, Cofete is a visual gift of endless golden sand, wild ocean and a total sensation of freedom. Its 12 kilometers, the scarce presence of houses, the absence of paved roads and the suitability of visiting it in a 4×4 say a lot about its characteristics. The term ‘virgin’ was simply invented for this beach.
Wind / Waves: Large currents and strong waves
How to get there: The main road FV-2 crosses the town of Morro del Jable, and continues towards Punta de Jandía, you will see the detour for the beach and the viewpoint of Cofete. From Apartamentos Fuerteventura Sol it is 1 hour and 16 minutes by car
Services: no services, nudist
12.Playa de Agua Liques
The wonderful formations of Jables and consolidated dunes stand out from it. The sandy soils of these beaches are of marine and Quaternary origin, they are completely cemented and consolidated, giving this coast a very peculiar appearance.
Wind / Waves: Big currents and strong waves, very dangerous beach
How to get there: We take the road to Playa de la Jaqueta. From Apartamentos Fuerteventura Sol it is an 11-minute drive
Services: no services, nudist
13. Playa de la Pared
Named after the wall that in the past divided the island in two, this beach of almost one kilometer is not only a reference point for surfers, but also for lovers of freedom and naturism, since there is plenty of space for everyone. Its black but also golden sand in certain areas, its dimensions, the guaranteed sun and the refreshing ocean are ideal for disconnecting.
Wind / Waves: Large currents and strong waves.
How to get there: We take the FV-2 and FV-605 roads. From Apartamentos Fuerteventura Sol it is a 13-minute drive
Services: no services, nudist
Fuente: “Surfing the Planet”