El Cotillo

El Cotillo is a small fishing village situated on the rugged North West coast of the island. There are fantastic beaches here where the world kite surfing championships are held .Mostly deserted on the south of the village of El Cotillo you usually have to shelter out of the very strong winds that blow here.(the blowing sand stings your legs quite severly if you have no cover to your legs) However the strength of the surf here is well worth the visit .We found it excellent for body boarding.Even with temperatures in the 90s the temperature of the water here is still very invigorating. Beware going out too far here though .There are vicious undercurrrents that could take you out to sea.Never let children play unsupervised on these beaches.There is no danger however if you are sensible . If you venture further south along the cliff tops do not do so in ordinary hire cars.A 4 wheel drive on these un surfaced tracks is essential.

To the North of the village there are shallow lagoons ideal for families.The water here is crystal clear set in the black volcanic rocks that form all of these islands.The sands here are soft and white.In recent years (click on the link for photos and more info about el cotillo) more holiday apartments have been built in this area and it is steadily getting busier but for the moment it is still largely unspoiled agreat place to stay for a pure beach experience or a great place to visit for the day from other parts of the island.

There are excellent sea food restaurants to be found here .The catch is brough in every day to the new harbour.Even this new harbour is subject to storm insurgence when the weather is severe more often in winter but not exclusively so . In short El Cotillo is amust visit place if you visit the island.Get there before this area becomes the new Corralejo! From Corralejo , El Cotillo is about 25 minutes drive or so.There is a rough track to the village on the north coast but this is best only tackled if you are in a 4 wheel drive.Many hire cars have underestimated the quality of the road here and been stuck.There are better roads if you head south from Corralejo and then head inland.Just folow the signs.

Fuerteventura..strong winds or great adventure?

Fueteventura is one of the Canary Islands.Probably the least well known till recent years.Strong winds or great adventure? The name Fuerte means strong or great in Spanish, ventura can mean related to wind or a shortened version of aventura meaning adventure....so you can interpret the name in two ways.When the conquistadores were setting off for the New World the first port of call to take on board provisions or shelter from storms was the island we visit today for holidays..the island was reputedly called FUERTEVENTURA meaning "great adventure" a reference to the epic journey across ther Atlantic to the Americas.Others simply say the name is a dircet reference to the strong winds which continualy blow across this island.The same winds that facilitaded the passage to the Americas..The north east tradewinds.. Whichever is the right origin we will probably never know but having visited this island on several occasions at all time of year i can say the winds can be quite strong (world kite surfing championships are held here every year on the N.West coast but are very welcome when the heat from the Sahara heads your way.

A more or less barren landscape has ensured development here has not taken place till more recent times whem pressure on building land is becoming a premium in the other islands. Seperated from Lanzarote by a narrow strait Fuerteventura is as rugged as it is desolate...The original resort of Corralejo is in the north of the island.This grew up round the ferry port.You can get the ferry to neighbouring Lanzarote from the harbour in Corralejo.Its just a 45 min journey.Prices are reasonable although they do charge you more than they charge the locals. You can take a car across on this ferry.This is well worth it as there are some good places to visit in the south of Lanzarote.Im thinking here especially of the National Park of Timanfaya which is about a 30 minute drive from Playa Blanca where the ferry docks. If you go here be sure to eat in the Restaurant at the centre of the Park.Yopu can get steak or chicken cooked over the heat of the volcanic soils beneath the restuarant.Last time i was there you could get a decent meal for only 12 euros.Well worth it! The secluded beaches of Papagayo,some of the best in the canarys are just a 20 minute drive from Playa Blanca heading east. No facilities here except one bar so be sure to take all you need for a day out here.Plenty of Free parking though once you have passed thru the nmakshift entrance for a 2 euro fee.

Corralejo is a great place to stay if you dont want to hire a car while you are in Fuerteventura.There are plenty of bars and restaurants and some great beaches.The famous Dunes of Corralejo are outside of the main town. There are bus services and also the obligatory mini train to get around in plus there are plenty of taxis to be had.There is also a water park within walking distance.This has only been there a couple of years and is well worth the visit if you have children

el cotillo