Postcard from Fuerteventura, Spain
The Canary Island that's becoming the surfing mecca of Europe.
Surfers, kite surfers and wind surfers flock to this barren, volcanic island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s not your typical postcard island - there’s no palms to lounge under on the sand, in fact, there’s barely even a shrub. If you’re not into water sports I probably wouldn’t put Fuerteventura on your bucket list - the name literally translates as strong wind. But if you find yourself there with a board of some sort, you’ll have the most incredible holiday. Balinese guys serve up Nasi Goreng from their van by the surf breaks, fun beach parties are held most nights and you’ll be treated to insane views from the water - including a double rainbow. What luck! Not a bad way to boost vitamin D levels in the depths of an European winter.
Caffeine
El Arco - Right in the middle of the island in the tiny little town of Lajares is this absolute gem of a roastery and cafe. For an island that really doesn’t have many good cafes, this is pumping with surfers despite being in the middle of nowhere. Do something well and the people will come, right?!
Triton’s Coffee Lab - A popular little cafe off the main seaside stretch in El Cotillo. It’s got lounges, ferns and good coffee (rarity on the island) to escape the sun for a brief moment.
Eat
Casa Cecilia - I ended up surfing with the head chef which is the only reason I found this traditional restaurant in a cave-style building in the back streets of Corralejo. It’s well worth hunting out though as it was easily the best meal I had in Fuerteventura. A definite highlight of the restaurant scene here!
Oscar Tapas - The waiter carves ham off the bone in between seating customers, so you know it’s the real deal. Watch the world go by from the street as you eat small or big plates of delicious Spanish food.
La Puntilla - Homemade gelato in El Cotillo, served straight from the gelatiere’s (yes, I had to google that word) house. There’s not a huge range of flavours to pick from but can vouch that the chocolate was top notch.
Sip
Sunset Lounge - A beach bar with live music at sunset every day. Drinks are cheap - as they are everywhere in Fuerteventura, staff are fun and the views over the ocean and setting sun are unbeatable. DJs play late into the night on Sundays and all the surfer vans park up in the neighbouring streets for the night.
La Eskina - A quaint cocktail bar in the bustling centre of Corralejo. Drinks are served in all kinds of quirky vessels from statue busts to skulls and it’s a great place to kick back after a day in the water.
Visit
Dunas del Corralejo - Huge rolling sand dunes as far as the eye can see that seem to just roll on into the ocean. One side of the area is national park and forbidden to enter but the beach side is free to roam - or roll - around. It’s pretty bloody cool.
Lobos Island - A little isle that’s now a dedicated nature preserve about 15 minutes by boat from Fuerteventura. You need a permit to visit. No one lives here and there is only one restaurant - named after the island’s last inhabitant - and it serves only one item - seafood paella. Judging by the queue it does it pretty well. There are stunning walking tracks all around the island to remote sandy beaches, up the volcano and to the light house. Definitely worth a day trip.
Shop
Ailana Jewellery - Waterproof jewellery that’s all designed in the Canary Islands. The shop in Corralejo had a great range of silver and gold with some unique rings and necklaces.
Tastaller - Beautiful silver jewellery made in the fishing town of El Cotillo. The workshop is also on site so you can see the jeweller at work. Very unique items and, like most things in Spain, not too expensive.
Mojo Art Shop - An artist born and bred on Fuerteventura who prints her work on towels, T-shirts, bags and all kinds of items. It’s mostly ocean themed and beautifully coloured.
Claire that rainbow photo is a cracker. Could surf all your life and not land that one.