Fuerteventura is the second largest of the Canary Islands and is about 90kms from the African coast. It is one of the least populated of all the Canary Islands and a beachlovers paradise with over 150 beaches, also renowned for its windsurfing and kite surfing.
As you are flying in for the first time to the Island, you may be forgiven for thinking you have come to a barren, almost lunar-like, landscape. We did, but after landing and exploring the island 12 years ago, we fell in love with it and its people.
On exploring you will find an island of contrasts, there are lava plains in many colours, wonderful mountains, picturesque white villages and green palm groves. Against this there is the incredible coastline. On the mid-west of the island there are thundering waves coming down onto dark lava rock and black sands (sometimes reminding you of the North coast of Cornwall). On the rest of the coastline you will find mile upon mile of sandy beeches, some with black sand but the majority fine white or yellow sands. In Sotovento there is 18kms of golden sand beach. You can walk for miles in some places on wonderful golden sands and not see another soul, if that is what delights you. Again, in Caleta de Fuste there is a golden beach that is completely family safe. In Corralejo you will find the incredible sand dunes where the sand has literally blown across from the Sahara dessert, miles and miles of beautiful white sand.
The main tourist areas are Caleta de Fuste, Corralejo, Costa Calma and Jandia.
This is the nearest tourist town to our holiday home, being 2km away. If you are feeling energetic you can walk into Caleta from Costa de Antigua in about 40 minutes, or you can take a bus or taxi. If at all possible we would advise that you hire a car, as there are so many places to visit. The island is only 3 hours long by car and our house is more or less in the centre of the island.
Caleta is a modern purpose built resort with shops, restaurants, cafes and bars. You can find just about any food you can think of including Spanish, Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Indian, Thai and of course English, there are also many Irish bars.
The castle (martello tower) that gives El Castillo its name was built in 1743 by a military engineer, Claudio de Lisne, and is situated in the busy harbour.
In the harbour there is a glass-bottomed boat for trips out, a catamaran, which will take you out to hopefully see Dolphins and swim with turtles. There are facilities for windsurfing, scuba diving and sailing.
As mentioned earlier, the beach is gently shelving and the calm shallow waters of the bay make this ideal for families.
The main shopping area is traffic-free and there are boutiques, gift shops, bars, restaurants, banks and supermarkets. There is a market once a week, on Saturday morning, where you can barter for goods; there are some bargains to be had in leather. There is also an English book swap stall for those visiting for longer than a week.
The PGA Championship, par 71, 18-hole golf course opened in the summer of 2002, the only one as yet on the island, though more are planned. The golf course is about 3km from our holiday home.
Lying in the north of the island, Corralejo has 2 small beaches, the Galera and a small beach near the harbour. Less than 1km outside of Corralejo is miles of fine white sand here are the spectacular sand dunes.
Watersports, including diving, windsurfing and kitesurfing are available. The latest addition to the Island in 2005 is the Baku water park.
Ferries can be taken to the island of Lanzarote, with its incredible volcano and wonderful art and also to the island of Lobos.
As with Caleta there are many bars and restaurants to suit every taste.
Corralejo is about 45 minutes drive from our holiday home.
We love this part of the Island; 12 years ago we stayed here and fell in love with the Island, coming back again and agin.
Predominantly holiday makers were German tourists but now this is changing with more English and Italians. There are bars and restaurants and miles of golden sand beaches. A few miles down the coast is Risco del Paso where the World Wind Surfing Championships are held every July.
The language is Spanish.
The currency is Euro.
Time difference is the same as GMT.
Average flight time - 4 hours from Gatwick. Direct Charter flights from all major airports to Fuerteventura. There are links to help you with flights on the button above.
Average temperature is 22 degrees. January can be about 19 degrees and October around 25 degrees.
In the region of 5 - 8 hours of sunshine daily.
The island is windy, this can sometimes be an advantage (cooling) and sometimes a nuisance (sand in your sandwiches).
The tap water is desalinated and will not harm you but it is advisable to buy bottled water from the supermarkets, 5 litres for approximately 90 cents.
Driving - Drive on the right. Of course it depends on the type of holiday you want and the type of person you are BUT I would recommend hiring a car if possible, click on the button above for a car hire companies. There is so much to see on the island and this may be your only trip, you wouldn't want to miss it. A word of caution on zebra crossings, it is not entirely certain if drivers should give way, do not cross unless the traffic is slowing right down or stopped for you.
Electricity, you will need European converter plugs.