Destination: Canary Islands, Fuerteventura
Peak swell season: Oct - Mar
Average Wave Height (peak): 6-8ft
Predominant Wave Type: Lava Reef Break
Shark Factor: 4/10
Hazards: Sharp Reefs, Hollow waves, Strong currents, lineup crowded with windsurfers
Best way to get around: 4x4 if you want to travel the island as much of it is semi-arid desert, private car hire is very popular however as Fuerteventura does actually have roads…
Fuerteventura is an island found in the small island chain known as the “Canary Islands”, the actual islands themselves consist of six annually inhabited islands, the majority of which are also noted for their surf, and several other smaller islands. Fuerteventura however, in the past thirty years (since the building of the first tourist hotel in 1965) has been discovered to have true potential as a surf destination.
Clocking over 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, met by often favourable trade winds make Fuerteventura’s North and West coasts a year round surfer’s paradise.
Not to say that the east coast doesn’t have its day, and in fact, in the summer months is a better bet than the other coasts.
The north coast is heavily scattered with nice reef set-ups that pick up the majority of swells going from west round to east, and the waves produced can differ in difficulty from the heavy barreling waves of Lobos (arguably one of the longest waves Europe has to offer) to the mellow walls of Derecha De Los Alemanes.
Fuerteventura actually began its surfing fame as a popular windsurfing destination due to the annual trade winds, but some clever kite chaps realised the potential for waves here, and told their buddies. Unfortunately, this does mean that to surf these perfect waves, you often have to share. And more often than not, not with other surfers. In the afternoons (when the winds generally pick up in strength) the line-up is often scattered with wind/kite-surfers. HINT: go in for the dawny sesh
Due to Fuerteventura’s volcanic creation it has reefs not dissimilar to that of Hawaii’s creating some quality set-ups, if you’re prepared to go for a drive Fuerteventura has over 150 beaches around its coastline, which all handle conditions differently, and vary amazingly in popularity.
Flights from Europe are surprisingly cheap, and although a fair distance to travel to from the states, I can assure you, it would be a trip well made.
Fuerteventura practically guarantees the surf trip of a lifetime.
