Corralejo is located in the north of Fuerteventura and is the main tourist resort. Still with the original fishing port, Corralejo has grown to offer a resort with great choice of accommodation, with many shops, bars, restaurants, clubs and one of the best beaches in the Canaries. It offers something for everyone.
Corralejo is a 25 minute drive north of the airport in Puerto Rosario, with easy car hire or pre-arranged private transfer Generally it is a good idea to have car hire.
The beach where much of the waterborne activity occurs. stretches along the coast for over 6km, with the dunes behind and the open sea in front.
Corralejo offers kitesurfing and windsurfing holidays with a mix of flat water and offshore swell and chop conditions. The locations in the Corralejo area provide year round conditions of warm water. The spring/summer months bring great weather and the famed trade winds with good cross-shore (from the left) conditions at Flag Beach, the main launching area. In the winter the winds are less consistent but the waves increase, picking up all the great Atlantic swells at this time of year. The windiest season in Fuerteventura is in the summer, between April and September, when a big high pressure stays over the Atlantic and a low over the Sahara. However, there is generally wind all year around with it just being less reliable outside of this main wind season. For the winter months it is better to head South, to Costa Calma or Sotavento, where the wind is accelerated and can be very strong, even in the winter.
A wind or kite holiday to Corralejo in is suitable for all levels and holiday types, including families, singles and couples, of all abilities. There is also a special windsurf lagoon for beginners.
The wind in the North of the island at Corralejo tends to be lighter (around 20-30 knots) and much more consistent than in the South of the island, where summer wind conditions can get up to 40 knots + regularly
It is recommended to wear surf shoes and a shorty in summer and a light weight wetsuit for the winter months
The Sailing locations around Corralejo
There are a number of locations around Corralejo, to suit every level of kiter and windsurfer. The main location is the golden sands of Flag beach, just 10 minutes from town on the edge of the Las Dunas National Park, with its constantly moving white dunes. With a 400m long bay protected either side by reefs, it allows flat water on the inside with the potential for waves and jumping practice further out.
There are also a couple of windsurfing and kitesurfing schools located in the Bay of Corralejo in the centre of town, where equipment can also be rented.
An area that is ideal for beginner windsurfers is a lagoon at El Cotillo. This is approximately a 25 minute drive from Corralejo, and lessons are organised and depart from the Flag Beach Watersports centre.
There are also a number of wave sailing locations for advanced kiters and windsurfers around the north of the island.
Best Suited To
The Corralejo area has suitable locations for every level of kiter and windsurfer, from those making their first entry to the most advanced practitioners.
Hazards
It can get very windy, and in some areas the waves very powerful with a rocky shoreline, but there is a location suitable for every level.
Pros
- White sandy beaches
- Availability of wind and kitesurfing conditions for all levels
- Blue water
- Safety
- Easy launching and plenty of room
- Close to the hotels
- Cross shore trade winds
- Wind throughout the year
- Mild winter temperatures
- An abundance of accommodation from low budget to luxury
- Close to town with plenty of amenities and nightlife
Cons
- Winds can be very strong for those unprepared
- Although never far from town, some of the locations are quite isolated and exposed to the sun with little tree cover
For Non-Sailors
A huge range of activities are available for non-sailors in the north of the island around the Corralejo area:
- Mountain biking
- Diving
- SUPping
- Surfing
- Crazy golf.
- Land sailing,
Family and Friends can enjoy the busy town and shops, relax poolside or on the beach. You can also explore the beautiful Parque Natural de Corralejo, with the rolling dunes and stunning views, or head further afield around the island to the Zoo, water parks and historical buildings. The resort of Corralejo is buzzing with many bars and restaurants which can get very busy in summer. The rest of the south by comparison is relatively undeveloped, and once out of the main resort you can explore villages of white washed houses with windmills found dotted around the island.
