Depending on the weather, swell direction and your experience
you should be able to find a good uncrowded surfspot on Fuerteventura's
North Shore. Take a trip down the coast towards El Cotillo and
you chances of surfing an unridden peak increase dramatically.
This is a rough guide to what's on offer in Fuerteventura.
For Beginners
Sandy bottomed beach breaks ideal for learning the basics.
For Intermediates and Experienced surfers
If you're a competant surfer Fuerteventura will deliver the goods! From October to April big atlantic, open ocean swells hit the North shore of Fuerteventura and provide consistant, powerful surf. If you're planning on surfing the lava reefs or places with huge tubey waves then local knowledge is very important. Be careful, ask before you paddle out.
Playa de Esquinzo
If you travel south along the El Cotillo trail you will eventually arrive at a beach-break surrounded by high cliffs. This beach break has good peaks and consistantly powerful waves. From the hill, where you have to park your car, the waves look pretty small...appearances are deceiving, be careful!
El Cotillo
El Cotillo is a small but developing fishing village located in the northwest of the Island. The beach "Playa de Castillo" to the south of the village is about 1km long and has a friendly beachbreak. Conditions here are perfect for beginners. If the waves are not closed-out the break has powerfull and fast lefthanders and righthanders. The shore break here can become a guillotine at times ;-)
The Spew Pits
Just North of the old port. Kamikaze pilots will enjoy this righthander. It's one of the more challenging spots as the reef is flat and shallow.
Hierro & Yarro
This spot has 2 excellent reefbreaks about 1 km west from Majanicho. Heirro is a long righthander and Yarro is a powerfull lefthander. Both breaks are good in a small swell.
The Bubble
The name says it all, a fast and very powerfull wave where you can get some sweet tube rides on good days. Crowded on weekends. Pleas erespect the locals and observe surf etiquette at all times.
Majanicho
Near the end of the track from Lajares to the north shore. The spot is a point break where you can have very long rides when there is a big swell running.
Mechihonas
Reef break surfable at all tides. If you can't find good waves here, you won't find any good waves on the north shore but this spot works in both small and big swell.
Shooting Gallery
This spot is only 100m outside Corralejo near the desalination plant. It's a very shallow reef so duck-diving is not always a good idea ;-). The spot is surfable at all tides, it's fast and hollow at low tides and less powerfull but more dangerous at high tide. Frequented by Locals from Corralejo, so again, please show some respect in the water.
CORRALEJO
Depending on the wind direction and size of the swell Coralejo has 4 very different spots. The most consistant wave is a reefbreak located next to the harbour wall to the north of the town (Punta de Corralejo). Rocky Point is another reefbreak located in a protected bay but needs a big swell to start working. Especially good for intermediates who want to get their first experiences with a reefbreak. If you don't want to paddle around the reef and are not willing to come to terms with the sharp lava rocks, reef boots are a good idea. If you prefer a beachbreak, you can have a good wave when the swell is big at Flag Beach or Glass Beach located to the southeast of Corralejo.
Los Lobos
This is the small volcanic island just off the coast of Fuerteventura. There is boat that does daily trips. The reefbreak at the southside of the Island is one of the best on the Canary Islands. It's a long righthander with different sections. When conditions are good it can be surfed for several hundred meters!
you need a 2m swell with south or easterly winds. It can hold a very big swell. You can reach the break after a 20min. walk from the landing platform. Rumour has it that there are spots to the west and north of the Island but these are seldom surfed and more dangerous.
Puerto del Rosario
The capital of Fuerteventura has a reefbreak north of the lighthouse. It's not a particularly good spot, and is usually only surfed by locals. Mainly Bodyboarders.
Morro del Jable and Jandia
These are the biggest Resorts on Fuerteventura. The ferry to Gran Canaria leaves from the harbour. Close to the lighthouse is a beachbreak which has a fairly good righthander on days when a big swell is running.
Puerto de la Cruz
Is at the southwest end of the Jandia peninsula . You can reach it from Morro del Jable via a long off-road-track. Punta del Tigre further west from Puerto de la Cruz at "Punta de Jandia" is a powerfull wave that breaks over a flat reef. Beware of strong currents. There are even more unexplored reef breaks in this area. These reefs can have perfect waves when a northerly wind is blowing and you have a good size swell. Corralejo to Puerto de la Cruz takes about 2 hours by car so make sure it's working before you set off ;-).
La Pared
Is a pretty desolate spot with small resort loacted in the barren landscape which is the westcoast of Fuerteventura. There is a beachbreak here which is not really a top spot but has consistant swell. The currents can be strong sometimes.
Other spots
For the sake of not boring you stupid and protecting some spots from 'over exposure' we have not listed all the possiblities above. There are some epic surf spots and empty peaks to be had, you'll just have to discover them yourself...
In terms of what to wear in the water, wintertime visitors from northern Europe will be comfortable with a very light full suit or shorty, whilst summertime is boardshort weather. For more info check out our board and wetsuit guide at the top of this page (located in the right-hand column) If you not fond of the idea of sea-urchin spines embedded in your feet, get some reef boots.
