Fuerteventura is in the Canary Islands and measures 210 kilometres from one end to the other. It is outstanding for its magnificent white sand beaches and for the bright sun that shines all year round.

It is an essential destination for windsurfing and scuba diving lovers. Here you will find unforgettable spots. There are more than 150 beaches in the north and south of the island, spread over 340 kilometres of coastline. Meanwhile, on the east coast you will find cliffs and small, hidden coves.

Their shallow, crystal clear waters are ideal for watersports: sailing, water skiing, surfing, fishing… and, above all, windsurfing: the island now has an important place on the windsurfing World Cup circuit. There is a long list of beaches where you can practise this sport: Corralejo, Cotillo, Jandía, Caleta de Fuste, Cofete…

This is also the case for scuba diving. Fuerteventura is an ideal destination for diving fans, thanks to the crevices, caves, tunnels, overhangs and rock formations to be found on its ocean beds. Its excellent climate, sandy beaches with dunes, stunning natural beauty and modern infrastructure make Fuerteventura a privileged destination for tourists.

A good way to get to know the island’s most hidden spots is to explore the tracks and trails that will lead you to areas of unspoilt countryside. This is the case of Tindaya Mountain and the Betancuria Nature Reserve, the island’s largest area of protected countryside.

Fuerteventura airport is five kilometres from Puerto del Rosario, with services by airlines from many different countries. The island also has scheduled boat and ferry services to the rest of the archipelago, departing from Puerto del Rosario, La Oliva and Pájara.

Geology

Fuerteventura is the oldest island in the Canary Islands dating back 20 million years to a volcanic eruption from the Canary hotspot. The majority of the island was created about 5 million years ago and since then has been eroded by wind and weather. On the seabed off the west coast of the island rests a block of rock 22 km long and 11 km wide, which appears to have slid off the island largely intact at some point in prehistory, similar to the predicted future collapse of Cumbre Vieja, a geological fault on the neighboring island, La Palma. The last volcanic activity in Fuerteventura was between 4,000 and 5,000 years ago.

The highest point in Fuerteventura is Mount Jandía (807 m) in the southwestern part of the island. Geographical features include Istmo de la Pared which is 5 km wide and is the narrowest part of Fuerteventura. The island is divided into two parts, the northern portion which is Maxorata and the southwestern part called the Jandía peninsula. The island is the least settled in the Canary Islands.

Climate

The climate on Fuerteventura is pleasant throughout the year. The island is also often referred to as the island of eternal spring. The sea adjusts the temperature making the hot Sahara winds blow away from the island. The island’s name in English translates as ’strong fortune’ or ’strong wind’, the Spanish word for wind being ‘viento’. During the winter months, temperatures average a high of 22 °C (72 °F) and a low of around 15 °C (59 °F), whereas during the summer a mean high of 35 °C (95 °F) and a low of 20 °C (68 °F) can be expected. Precipitation is about 147 mm per year, most of which falls in autumn and winter. October is the month with highest rainfall.

A sandstorm known as the Calima (similar to the Scirocco wind that blows North from the Sahara into Europe) blows southwestward from the Sahara Desert and can cause high temperatures, low visibility and drying air. Temperatures during this phenomenon rise temporarily by approximately 10 degrees Celsius. The wind brings in fine white sand, visibility can drop to between 100 to 200 m (328.08 to 656.17 ft) or even lower and can even bring African locusts to the island.

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Parque Natural del Islote de Lobos

The small unspoiled island.

The Islet of Lobos is a small isle situated to the north of Fuerteventura, from which it is separated by around 2 Km. It houses very valuable habitats in magnificent condition. This small island, belonging to the township of La Oliva, possesses a high landscape content, which is unique and representative of Canary geology and geomorphology. Many of the park’s plant species are today protected by several norms. It houses numerous exclusive species and endemisms (such as Limonium ovalifolium canariensis), which live in habitats in magnificent condition.

Information:

• Type of area: Nature reserve
• Area: 468 Hectares
• Information for visits: To get there, there is a boat that offers a same-day round trip, as there are no accommodations. The island can be easily explored in a few hours.
• Environmental information: Besides the omnipresent gulls or stone curlews, the invertebrate fauna stands out, especially the coleoptera.
• Cultural information: The town of La Oliva is one of the richest archaeological areas in Fuerteventura, which gives ample evidence of aboriginal presence in the area.One of the obligatory visits is to the petroglyphs on Tindaya Mountain, where foot-like shapes and structures predominate.