Things To Do in Fuerteventura holidays

Fuerteventura is hallowed turf for watersports enthusiasts. Jet-skiing, windsurfing, sailing – you name it, the island’s got it. Surfing is really big business over here, and not just the regular kind. Head to any beach on a blustery day and you’ll see kites whisking surfers up into the air. If you want to learn yourself, you can book a 3-day course at Corralejo’s beach.

South of Corralejo, Parque Natural de las Dunas is a huge blanket of beach that measures 10 miles long by 3 miles wide. The sand here used to belong to the Sahara – the sea carried it over to Fuerteventura’s shores thousands of years ago. Today, the unspoilt park is prime sunbathing territory and a place of pilgrimage for surfers and body-boarders.

This untamed stretch of sand on Fuerteventura’s west coast is a great place to watch the sunset. Expect to see the shadows of surfers riding the waves until dusk. If you’re the type of person who feels the cold easily, bring a light layer to put on at the end of the day – the beach can get quite windy.

Mercs, Jags and Porches just don’t cut the mustard in Fuerteventura. On this Canary Island, the most exciting way to travel is by camel. These hump-backed beasts were once the main form of transport on the island, and today they’re mainly used to convoy tourists through the desert sands. The best place to catch a lift is Corralejo National Park, because you can ride off into the sand dunes.

This horseshoe-shaped bay on the island’s easy coast is a great choice for families. The sand slopes gently into the sea and the currents aren’t strong, which makes it a great place for little ones to test out their water wings. There’s a watersports centre on the beach, too, where older children can get a taste for windsurfing.

Gofio flour is a big deal in Fuerteventura and, 200 years ago, Molino de Antigua played cupid in the island’s love affair with the stuff. These windmills, about a 40 minute drive from Corralejo, were one of the main gofio production sites on the island. While you’re here, you’ll learn exactly what it takes to make this hallowed flour, which is a key ingredient in everything from porridge to ice-cream.

One of the best ways to explore Fuerteventura’s volcanic landscape is on two wheels. A pumped-up pair of tyres can go where no cars can, so you’ll get to see craters, rivers and mountains in close-up detail. You don’t have to be Bradley Wiggins to try this sport, either. Biking companies offer trips for all different levels, so you can stay in your comfort zone.

Betancuria is the sort of place that crosses its Ts and dots its Is. You won’t find a stone out of place as you wander around the whitewashed houses and the manicured greens here. The town’s neatness is a symbol of its proud history – it was once the capital of Fuerteventura and it’s been really well looked after since. The centrepiece of the town is the 17th-century Cathedral of Santa Maria.

From Corralejo, you can take a boat trip across the Rio strait to this little island. Once you’re there, you can enjoy scenic walks, plenty of seclusion and great views of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. In days gone by, Lobos was home to hundreds of seals – known to locals as sea wolves – which explains how it got its name. Nowadays, though, it’s pretty deserted except for the fishermen who take weekend trips here.

For the past 26 years, the world’s windsurfing and kite-surfing elite have converged on Playa de Sotavento to compete in slalom and freestyle events. Pack a picnic and watch the aqua acrobatics from the beach.

Fuerteventura comes alive during Carnival. The exact date of this festival is dictated by the Christian calendar but, no matter when it falls, a big party is guaranteed. Every town on the island does something to mark the occasion. Costa Caleta throws one of the biggest knees ups. Highlights include treasure hunts, parades, fancy dress competitions and live music.

This annual festival would make Dick Van Dyke proud. Every year hundreds of kite flyers gather on the Dunas de Corralejo National Park to take advantage of the island’s Atlantic trade winds. The high flying celebration lasts for 3 days. It starts with a free-for-all flight, in which amateurs can take part. Then the professionals commandeer the skies to show off their skills.

Surrounded by Fuerteventura’s volcanic landscape, Casa de Los Coroneles is an heirloom from the 18th century. This restored mansion in La Oliva, 15 minutes from Corralejo, was once the home of the governor of Fuerteventura and his military staff. Today, it’s used as a multi-purpose cultural centre that showcases local art. If you head onto the rooftop here, you’ll get some standout views of the countryside.

As far as beaches go, this one is supersized. Its powdery white sands stretch out for 10 kilometres along the coast and reach 3 kilometres inland. The waves can get quite big here, making it a Mecca for kite-surfers and body-boarders.

You can see what happens when you smile at a crocodile during a visit to Oasis Park in La Lajita, a 10-minute drive from Costa Calma. The Crocodile Nursery is just one of the animal attractions at this huge nature park. The other residents include doe-eyed giraffes, candy-pink flamingos and hefty hippos. The park is also home to one of the biggest botanical gardens in Europe, which has more than 28,000 plants.

Set on the south of the island, near Jandia, this golden beach is 15 miles long. The Windsurfing World Championships are held here every July, and you’ll catch wannabe title holders practicing here throughout the year. The beach is pretty au-natural, so you won’t find many beach bars or restaurants.

Get behind the wheel of a 4x4 and explore the Peninsula de Jandia. This tongue of land used to be separated from the rest of Fuerteventura by the sea but, over the years, deposits of sand have linked the two together. These days, the area is bordered by vast white-sand beaches, most of which are part of a protected national park.