Sotavento: the endless dream beach

FMHOY - Fuerteventura

It is said that its photo is the most spread in magazines and documentaries about the islands. Its nine kilometres of sand hypnotise visitors with this endless sandy horizon. Sotavento is made of blond sand, ponds and two shores, a unique beach that amazes visitors from the moment their feet touch the sand.

Located in the Jandía peninsula, in the south of the island of Fuerteventura, the beach of Sotavento has a special feature: it has two shores. Millions of years ago, this site was an islet, independent from Fuerteventura. However, after the volcano’s eruption, they became joined, as we see it now, by the sandy isthmus, known as La Pared. This natural element was used by the ancient Majorero (from Fuerteventura) population as a defence tool against potential aggressions from intruders.

Sotavento isn’t just one beach, the nine kilometres of idyllic beach with turquoise water consist of five beaches, namely: La Barca, Risco del Paso, Mirador, Malnombre and Los Canarios. According to a well-known tourist reservation site, tourists consider Sotavento to be amongst the nine best beaches in Europe. Furthermore, it is a paradise destination for surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers.

Surfing the waves

The world windsurfing and kiteboarding championship takes place every summer in Sotavento, a location that boasts idyllic conditions for the practice of those sports, for both competitions and beginners.

Beginners in windsurfing or kitesurfing can also add

Sotavento to their destinations’ wish list. Indeed, thanks to the sand bar that exists 100 and 300 metres from the shore and creates a three-kilometre lagoon, it is ideal for those who are getting initiated in those sports, without any risks.

Why Sotavento

What conditions make this one of the best locations to practise those sports?

The wind. Firstly, the wind is constant. It is a North East wind that can reach up to 50 knots. The trade winds never fail, unless there is calima (sand in the air from the Sahara)... It is then time to take a refreshing dip in the water. The wind is the key to this beach, which is the windiest on the island. This is a key element without which the practice of those sports would be impossible. In fact, this is precisely where the name Fuerteventura comes from, meaning “strong winds”.

The sea floor. It is sandy, not rocky or volcanic, which reduces the risks for the surfers when they fall.

The Ambience. The surfer’s ambience of the chiringuitos sets the mood every day. Indeed, Sotavento is one of the favourite summer destinations for European surfers. The surf centres and bars attract hundreds of athletes and beachgoers every day for their ambience.

Sotavento and windsurfing go hand in hand on those two endless shores. An idyllic location that leaves visitors open-mouthed when discovering Jandía’s peninsula. A natural jewel in the south of the windy island.