We recently returned from a fantastic Fuerteventura Wingfoil trip and if you’re seeking a windy family vacation spot, look no further! Fuerteventura is a paradise for wind enthusiasts. We’re sharing our recommendations, tips, and favorite locations for a perfect holiday for wingfoilers and their little ones.
The Fuerteventura Feeling
What truly impressed us was the sense of nostalgia we felt upon leaving. We’ve been to many places and loved them, but Fuerteventura offered something unique. Perhaps it was the relaxed atmosphere – no traffic jams, easy parking, comfortable temperatures, and everything well-maintained.
Holiday Preparation and Wingfoil Packing
Fuerteventura had been on our bucket list for a while, dating back to our younger windsurfing days. This trip was long-awaited, with flight costs and alternate destinations considered. Finally, we made our dream come true!
We flew directly from Bergamo Airport to Fuerteventura (around 4 hours with a 1-hour time difference). We strongly recommend bringing your own wingfoil gear, as rentals are scarce and expensive (around €100 for 1.5 hours). Bringing your equipment with Ryanair costs €60 each way. To prevent damage during flight, we covered the board with rubber and packed everything (the 77-liter board, two wings (4 and 5 liters), the pump, and the foil) into a windsurf box. When carrying your own equipment, consider also renting a car large enough to accommodate the equipment.
Where to Stay for a Fuerteventura Wingfoil Holiday: North or South?
Choosing our accommodation took some time. We strongly recommend staying in the north. It’s more authentic, offers more beaches and variety, and has the best wingfoiling beaches (in our opinion). The south is more touristy with large resorts and only two wingfoiling beaches (Playa de Sotavento and Matas Blancas). While the south might have more wind overall, even the north offers enough wind (around 20 knots) to enjoy wingfoiling, and on strong wind days, you might even prefer the north’s conditions.
Our Accommodation in Corralejo: Casa Ledù
We’re not fans of large resorts and swimming pools on vacation. We opted for this apartment and were thrilled with both the location and the apartment itself. It’s a 5-minute drive to Flag Beach (a famous wing and kitesurfing beach – see description below) and all the stunning beaches of the Dunes Natural Park. It’s also 5 minutes from Corralejo Viejo Spot, Corralejo city center, a Mercadona supermarket (we love it!), and right in front of a Hyperdino supermarket, some windsurf-wingfoil shops, and snack bars.
The apartment is nestled within a palm oasis with no car access (lovely, parking is on the street), perfect for little ones to explore safely. The interior is newly furnished, fully equipped with kitchenware, and even has a washing machine. The owner was incredibly friendly, providing a free baby seat and setting up an extra bed in our room for all of us to sleep together. We don’t know if it was the layout or the sound of the wind blowing through the palm leaves, but our child slept like never before, waking up only once (usually it’s more than 3 times a night!).
Checking out the wind conditions for Fuerteventura Wingfoil
While Fuerteventura’s wind might not be quite as consistent or strong as Karpathos (based on our experience), we’ve got you covered! Here, we provide tools to check wind conditions and choose the perfect spot for your wingfoiling adventure.
When deciding where to go, we found this local weather forecast website and this spot guide very useful. We also highly recommend talking with a local expert at one of the many surf shops to get the latest information about conditions and spots. If the wind isn’t cooperating, you always have the option to go surfing at El Cotillo instead, which we highly recommend.
Wingfoiling Spots in Fuerteventura North
Flag Beach
Located in Las Dunas Natural Park, this beautiful spot boasts a vast beach, making it popular with kitesurfers. It’s suitable for intermediate and advanced wingfoilers. The wind blows usually north, and while not the most popular for wingfoiling, our “Tribe Daddy” had a blast riding some choppy waves. Be aware of some rocks, especially at the beach’s upper part (our “Daddy” swiped his foil there on a windy day). This beach also has many stone cottages, where we (including Edo, our child) played sheltered from the wind. You can park directly on the street with ample space and then carry your equipment across sandy stretches and some dunes.
Our little one loved watching the kites fly and requested one for himself. We bought him a small kite, and he was so proud to see it flying. This beach quickly became our favorite – it’s picturesque, offers challenges on windy days, and was perfect for the whole family. From a wingfoiling perspective, the presence of many kitesurfers can be bothersome at times, requiring you to slalom around them. However, it offers good conditions on many days compared to other beaches like Puerto Lajas (Tribe Daddy’s favorite, but only wingfoil-able during high tide with waves).
Waikiki Beach
It’s located in the center of Corralejo, and parking wasn’t too difficult. You can stop right at the beach, unload your equipment, and then find parking nearby (all free). The beach is sandy, and the entrance for wingfoiling and windsurfers is on the left side, a separate area. The wind is usually milder here and water is flat, making it a good spot for beginners and their families. While not as scenic as other Fuerteventura beaches, it offers the convenience of being close to town with many restaurants, shops, and cafes nearby.
Puerto Lajas
This spot is wild and caters to advanced wingfoilers seeking waves. Our first visit yielded no water activity due to low tide. However, Tribe Daddy was determined to return under the right conditions, and it became his favorite spot globally. High tide brings 1.5-meter waves, attracting around 10 wingfoilers and 2 windsurfers (no kitesurfers due to the smaller beach). Tribe Daddy loved surfing the long, strong waves here. Parking is free and right on the spot, with no need to carry equipment far. The first 10 meters require carrying your foil due to shallow water. The beach offers consistent left-hand waves with a 5-second period (around 1-1.5 meters). There’s a black sand beach on the right where we relaxed and collected seashells while watching Tribe Daddy surf. This spot is rocky and lacks amenities like lifeguards, which may be a factor for some. On our visit, Edo was tired and preferred stroller rides “rally style” on the stones around the beach, still enjoying the scenery.
Beyond Wind: Family Beaches and Adventures in the North
We aren’t always lucky with wind on vacation, reminiscent of our first windsurfing holiday in Lanzarote where the rental service greeted us with “esta semana no hay viento” (there’s no wind this week). Luckily, the wind picked up after the first 3 days in Fuerteventura, but we still enjoyed exploring with our little one during the calmer days.
Corralejo Dunes Natural Park
Among our favorite experiences was definitely exploring the Dunes Park in Corralejo. We had a blast running down the dunes and visiting the beautiful surrounding beaches.
Alzada / El Moro Beach
This beach, resembling a swimming pool with calm, crystal-clear water and sandy rocks where you can carve your name, was a favorite.
Northernmost Tip Exploration
For a more adventurous experience, we explored the northernmost part of the island with forest roads and wild, non-sandy beaches with strong waves (not ideal for young children). The Popcorn Beach with its small, white stones resembling popcorn and giant crabs was definitely worth a visit.
Wingfoiling Spots in Fuerteventura South
Since we stayed in Corralejo, we only dedicated one day to exploring the south (approximately a 1.5-hour drive). We visited the most famous beach but still felt the south was more tourist-oriented, with large resorts compared to the north.
Playa de Sotavento / Risco del Paso
This beach, which has hosted the Wingfoil World Cup, offers flat water and typically strong winds. The mornings experience low tide, while afternoons create a lagoon favored by kitesurfers due to the shallow water and wind. Wingfoilers will have a longer trek with their equipment, but the scenery is picturesque. With its flat water and strong winds, this spot might be ideal for freestyle wingfoiling. Tribe Daddy enjoyed attempting some jumps here, but caution is advised due to the offshore wind. The beach is vast and sandy, but not ideal for young children during strong winds due to a lack of shelter and amenities within walking distance.
Here, we met a kitesurfing guide who recommended Matas Blancas for wingfoiling over Sotavento due to the large lagoon to navigate. While the southern landscapes are stunning, we wouldn’t change our decision to stay in the north.
Fuerteventura: the no stress island
We absolutely loved the relaxed and carefree vibe of Fuerteventura. The beaches are beautiful, the spots are amazing, and we can guarantee you’ll be planning your return trip as soon as you leave. ¡Ojalá (we wish) we could come back soon!