Surfing in Fuerteventura: Our Best Tips & Surf Spots

The Best Surf Spots on Fuerteventura

Since there are an incredible number of beaches on Fuerteventura — and with them a wide variety of surf conditions — there’s no single answer to where the best surf spots are. But you can rest assured there’ll be a spot suited to your level.

Exactly where you should take on the waves depends heavily on how well you handle currents, reef breaks, and not-so-laid-back locals.

Here’s a quick preview of my favorite spots.

Surf Bay Punta Blanca

Punta Blanca sits on the legendary “North Shore” of the island and delivers ideal beginner waves. The extremely gently breaking waves make this spot perfect for your first attempts at surfing unbroken waves.

With wonderfully clear water and a white sandy beach, Punta Blanca has a genuinely dreamy atmosphere.

Since it’s no secret that this spot is ideal for beginners, you’ll rarely find it quiet here. To get ahead of the crowds, your best bet is to show up early in the morning and catch some good waves.

La Pared

La Pared is a great pick if you want a surf spot you can reach from the popular resort area of Costa Calma by public bus.

The waves here break regularly even in summer, and as long as the northeast trade winds aren’t interfering, you’re in for a great session. Even though the spot is better suited to beginners, more advanced surfers can still have a fantastic time on a really good day.

El Cotillo

The only longer sandy beach at the still relatively unspoiled town of El Cotillo is accessible by car via a short dirt road that starts at the southern edge of town.

This beach break — particularly popular with surf schools — is also easily reachable on foot. Because the waves here frequently close out (meaning they break across their entire width all at once), the spot is rarely of interest to intermediate and advanced surfers.

Beginner surfers, on the other hand, can almost always ease into their first attempts at standing up in the whitewater here, thanks to the very consistent rolling waves.

Playa de Garcey

This hidden cove offers a very consistent peak that often guarantees you a solitary surf session in front of a stunning coastal landscape.

Due to its remote location, the grumpy hippies, and sometimes powerful currents, this spot is recommended for experienced surfers only. For everyone else, at least the spectacular cave entrance along the cliffside makes for a great photo opportunity.

By the way: there’s an old shipwreck at Playa de Garcey — a true under-the-radar find in Fuerteventura! Most of the wreck has been washed out to sea, but at low tide a few pieces sometimes stick out of the water — pretty cool!

Playa del Moro

This surf spot impresses with its combination of slowly breaking waves, long whitewater rollers, and a sandy bottom. The sandy beach is about 300 meters long and reachable by car from Corralejo. But here too, watch out for the sometimes strong currents.

If you’d like even more comprehensive information about surf spots on Fuerteventura, I recommend the Surfguide Fuerteventura. There you’ll find a complete overview of more than 30 spots, GPS coordinates, a map, and categorizations that help you choose the right spot for your level.

Surfguide Fuerteventura: The Ultimate Surf Travel Guide for Europe’s “Little Hawaii”

The Best Surf Towns and Accommodations on Fuerteventura

Finding a place to stay that’s within walking distance of surfable beaches on Fuerteventura and close to a lively nightlife scene isn’t always straightforward — but the overall selection is genuinely wide, and you’ll definitely find something that fits.

In our detailed accommodation guide, we walk you through the best options:

Where to stay on Fuerteventura — our hotel recommendations

In the north of the island, there are especially many great places to stay from which surf spots with good waves can be reached quickly and easily. In the popular beach town of Corralejo, for example, you’ll find a lively nightlife scene — though also quite a few tourists.

Our Corralejo hotel recommendations

The traditional fishing village of El Cotillo in the northwest of the island, by contrast, offers peace and quiet along with cozy seafood restaurants.

Both towns are home to some of our 11 best beachfront hotels on Fuerteventura, and you can also reach beautiful swimming beaches on foot from both. There you can swim or snorkel to your heart’s content.

If you don’t want to be tied to one location, your best bet is a surf trip in a campervan — it’s not only the most adventurous but also the most flexible way to travel. Campervan rental companies on Fuerteventura are constantly changing.

Every year there are new providers, and they disappear just as quickly. When searching for current offers, it’s worth checking Airbnb, where more and more locals are now renting out their campervans to freedom-loving surf vacationers.

Which Surf Camps on Fuerteventura Are Worth It?

Every surf camp has its own unique charm. Prices, services, and the vibe on the ground all vary considerably.

Key things to look for when choosing include the distance to the surf spot, the quality of the equipment, and the average age of the guests. A good indicator of lesson quality is the student-to-instructor ratio — five to six students per instructor is ideal.

Nalusurf in La Pared offers different course content depending on your surf level. Advanced surfers will have an amazing time on a surf safari. The camp is family-friendly and the nearest surf spot is only 100 m away.

The Laif Hotel in El Cotillo is the right address for more discerning surfers. In addition to its convenient beachside location, it offers a small swimming pool and a lovely rooftop terrace with views of an impressive reef break.

The Planet Surfcamp in Corralejo is well-equipped and thrives on the likable nature of its international surf coaches and camp staff, who all live together in the surf house and keep the positive vibes going.

If you’re exploring the south of Fuerteventura on your own, I’d also recommend the affordable lodging at the Waveguru Surfcamp in La Pared.

Introductory Lessons on the Board

You don’t have to commit to a full week at a surf camp right away. If you just want to test whether surfing is even your thing, an introductory lesson is a great way to start.

There are courses at various difficulty levels — for beginners and intermediates alike. Here’s a wide selection of surf courses on Fuerteventura that we can recommend:

Around Corralejo in the north:
Surf course for all levels and age groups
In the wild south of the island:
Surf course in Morro Jable

More Tips: How to Make Your Surf Vacation on Fuerteventura a Complete Success

What time of year should I plan my surf vacation on Fuerteventura?

The best timing for surfing in Fuerteventura really depends on your skill level. While the pros can go all-out during the winter months through March, beginners are definitely better off with the smaller summer waves.

If you’re not yet feeling fully confident, plan your surf vacation between May and September. You can always check current wave conditions in advance for the various spots in the Fuerteventura forecast.

Preparation Is Everything

Even though it looks so easy and effortless when the pros do it — surfing requires a lot of practice, patience, and above all physical fitness. Wave riding demands coordination, endurance, and strength.

Your surf vacation will be a lot more enjoyable if you do some training beforehand — for example, building the necessary strength through swimming or push-ups, so you don’t find yourself completely out of breath just from paddling out to the lineup.

To kick off your vacation nice and relaxed, think ahead of time about when the best time to visit Fuerteventura is, which surf accommodation you want to stay at, and where you’ll get your equipment.

Surfing shouldn’t be underestimated. And especially since — beyond the pure physical activity — you also need a fair amount of knowledge to have fun in the waves safely, it’s really important at the beginning that you don’t just go it completely alone.

Find a suitable surf camp beforehand and let the pros walk you through what really matters.

What Goes in the Suitcase?

Sun protection: Even when it’s cloudy, surfers are exposed to extra UV radiation due to the additional reflection off the water’s surface. A waterproof sunscreen with a high SPF is an absolute must. Even better, use a zinc stick on your nose, ears, and all other raised areas of your face for double protection.

Wetsuit: On cooler winter days or particularly windy days, you should definitely have the right wetsuit on hand. In winter, a 3 mm wetsuit is recommended, while mild summer temperatures also call for a shorty with short arms and legs.

Board shorts / surf bikini: Thanks to the year-round pleasant water temperatures and the island’s southern location, you can surf in just a bikini or board shorts between August and October, when the water temperature is around 72°F (22°C).

Surf poncho: A surf poncho works like a mobile changing room and offers protection from prying eyes.

If you still have questions about surfing in Fuerteventura, feel free to also check out surfnomade.de.

I hope you have a fantastic time riding the waves of Fuerteventura.