Sotavento (Fuerteventura)
Sotavento
Sotavento
Sotavento - Rene Igli Windsurfing Centre
Sotavento - Rene Igli Windsurfing Centre
Sotavento
Sotavento - Rene Igli Kitesurfing Centre
Sotavento - Rene Igli Windsurfing Centre
Sotavento
Sotavento - Rene Igli Kitesurfing Centre
Sotavento
Sotavento
Sotavento
Sotavento
Sotavento - Rene Igli Windsurfing Centre
Sotavento - Rene Igli Windsurfing Centre
Sotavento
Sotavento
Sotavento
Sotavento
Sotavento
Sotavento
Sotavento
Sotavento - Rene Igli Windsurfing Centre
Sotavento - Rene Igli Windsurfing Centre
Sotavento - Melia Hotel
Sotavento - view from Melia Hotel
Sotavento - Melia Hotel
Sotavento
Sotavento
Sotavento - Rene Igli Kitesurfing Centre
Sotavento - Rene Igli Kitesurfing Centre
Sotavento - Rene Igli Kitesurfing Centre
Sotavento - Rene Igli Kitesurfing Centre
Sotavento - Rene Igli Kitesurfing Centre
Sotavento - Rene Igli Kitesurfing Centre
Sotavento - Rene Igli Kitesurfing Centre
Sotavento - Rene Igli Kitesurfing Centre
Sotavento - Rene Igli Windsurfing Centre
Sotavento
Sotavento - Rene Igli Windsurfing Centre
Sotavento
Sotavento - Rene Igli Windsurfing Centre
Sotavento
Sotavento
Sotavento
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Sotavento
Sotavento - Melia Hotel
Sotavento
Sotavento Windsurfing
Sotavento
Sotavento
Sotavento
Sotavento
Sotavento
- Overview
- Windsurfing
- Kitesurfing
- Getting There
- Where to Stay
- Food & Nightlife
- Activities
- Photos
- Reviews
Sotavento Overview
Sotavento is one of the world’s most famous windsurfing and kitesurfing locations, famed for its strong and consistent cross offshore winds.
The water is warm throughout the year, with a temperature between 20 and 22 degrees. The spring/summer months bring great weather and the famed trade winds. The windiest season in Sotavento 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.
The winds in the south of Fuerteventura at Sotavento are accelerated by a thermal effect caused by the surrounding hills, and whereas the wind in the north of the island at Corralejo tends to be lighter (around 20-30 knots), summer wind conditions in the south can regularly get up to 40 knots in the afternoons. It is possible to get some good winter conditions, just not as strong and reliable as the summer. The cross offshore wind here also tends to be quite gusty, being funnelled and accelerated through a range of hills behind the resort.
However, Sotavento offers all year round conditions for beginners, as well as intermediates and advanced windsurfers and kitesurfers. It is suitable for singles, couples, and families with kids, as the hotels and surrounding businesses provide plenty of activities for those who may not want to kite or windsurf..
It is recommended to wear a shorty in summer and a light weight wetsuit for the winter months
The Sailing locations around Sotavento
There are two main locations for windsurfing and kitesurfing at Sotavento. The most northerly location, Sotavento Beach, offers a wide beach for the more advanced, and a vast tidal lagoon for beginners and intermediates, which is used as a training zone with no shortage of space.
A second Sotavento location to the south of Sotavento Beach is Risco del Paso Beach, which is approximately a 10 minute drive from the hotels of Sotavento Beach. It has more sheltered conditions, and also has its own lagoon for windsurfing beginners and training. Kitesurfers can also enjoy the wide sandy beaches for easy launch and there is plenty of space to enjoy. The ocean side of the lagoon provides excellent conditions for both more advanced wind and kitesurfing.
Both locations in Sotavento are well catered for with “world class” rental and training centres.
Best Suited To
Due to the combination of a protected tidal lagoon and open sea areas, both Sotavento Beach and Risco del Paso are suitable for every level of windsurfer and kiter, from those making their first entry to the most advanced practitioners, including the world’s leading pros.
Hazards
It can get very windy, and the cross offshore wind can be gusty.
Pros
- Flat water
- White sandy beaches
- Availability of wind and kitesurfing conditions for all levels
- Turquoise water
- Easy launching and plenty of room
- Safety boats and observers
- Two hotels at Sotovento Beach by the launch areas and watersports centres
- Wind throughout the year
- Mild winter temperatures
- Amenities on location
- Huge selection of all types of gear and easy rental
- Lessons for every level
- Opportunity to watch the pros during world cup events
- Shuttles to the Costa Calma resort hotels
Cons
- There is no budget accommodation options at Sotavento, but there are shuttles to cheaper accommodation options at Costa Calma
- The Sotavento Beach lagoon and Risco del Paso lagoon are tidal and therefore are not always deep enough to conduct wind and kitesurf training.
For Non-Sailors
Fuerteventura is a major year round holiday destination popular with those who are non-sailors. Sotavento Beach is well setup for those who don’t want to kite or windsurf. Friends and families can enjoy the hotels’ amenities with a range of pools and sun decks, various sports and activities, kids facilities, and evening entertainment provided in hotel bars and nightclubs.
Alternatively non-sailors can head out to Costa Calma with a choice of restaurants, bars and shops just a short taxi ride away. They can also explore the area and head south to Morro Jable with its historic buildings, traditional restaurants and range of shops.
- Island sightseeing tours
- Shopping
- 3 fresh-water pools for adults, one of them heat-able
- New tropical pool (75 m length) with integrated hydromassage
- Separate pool for children
- 2 tennis courts with artificial light
- Minigolf
- Gym
- Spa + Wellness Centre with Whirlpool
- Special relaxing footbath
- Sauna and Massage
- Table tennis
- Mini Club & playground for our youngest guests (5 – 12 years), climbing wall & observatory
- Extensive entertainment program with socio-cultural activities, sports and games
- In the evening, live music, spectacles & professional shows
- Yoga and Pilates
- Mountain Biking
- Scuba diving courses and boat trips to dive area
- Stand Up Paddle boarding
Sotavento Windsurfing
Windsurfing Spots
- Sailing type:
- Flat Water Blasting
- Bump and Jump
- Foiling
- Longboard Cruising
- Intermediate Wave Sailing
Ability:- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Best months:- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
Sotavento Beach Windsurfing Sotavento Beach is a 1km long sandy beach and one of the world’s most iconic windsurfing locations. It is effectively a windsurfing resort, as not only does it possess excellent wind and water conditions, but the world’s largest windsurfing centre attached to two very well equipped hotels, the Hotel Melia Gorriones, and the Sol Beach House Melia. Read more... - Best wind direction:
- NW
Sailing type:- Flat Water Blasting
- Speed Sailing
- Bump and Jump
- Freeride
- Freestyle
- Foiling
- Longboard Cruising
- Entry-Level Wave Sailing
Ability:- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Best months:- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
Risco del Paso Windsurfing Risco Del Paso beach is location to the south of Sotavento Beach (approximately a 10 minute drive) from the hotels of Sotavento Beach. It offers more sheltered conditions, and also has its own lagoon for windsurfing beginners and training. Kitesurfers can also enjoy the wide sandy beaches for easy launch and there is plenty of space Read more...
Windsurfing Centres
- The ION CLUB Risco del Paso is located right in the middle of the bay. Equipment Rentals The centre is located on the left hand side of the parking area. The centre is equipped with the latest Fanatic freeride, freestyle and wave boards, as well as a variety of Duotone Sails. For beginners there are fifteen Fanatic Viper school boards Read more...
- The Rene Egli windsurfing centre is now the biggest windsurf centre in the world with over 450 boards, and over 1000 sails, all current models. Located on the 1km beach, the centre is just 200m from the Meliã Gorriones Hotel and the Sol beach House Melia. It is also the venue for the World Cup which takes place in July Read more...
Sotavento Kitesurfing
Kitesurfing Spots
- Sailing type:
- Flat Water Blasting
- Bump and Jump
- Foiling
- Longboard Cruising
- Intermediate Wave Sailing
Ability:- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Best months:- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
Sotavento Beach Windsurfing Sotavento Beach is a 1km long sandy beach and one of the world’s most iconic windsurfing locations. It is effectively a windsurfing resort, as not only does it possess excellent wind and water conditions, but the world’s largest windsurfing centre attached to two very well equipped hotels, the Hotel Melia Gorriones, and the Sol Beach House Melia. Read more... - Best wind direction:
- NW
Sailing type:- Flat Water Blasting
- Speed Sailing
- Bump and Jump
- Freeride
- Freestyle
- Foiling
- Longboard Cruising
- Entry-Level Wave Sailing
Ability:- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Best months:- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
Risco del Paso Windsurfing Risco Del Paso beach is location to the south of Sotavento Beach (approximately a 10 minute drive) from the hotels of Sotavento Beach. It offers more sheltered conditions, and also has its own lagoon for windsurfing beginners and training. Kitesurfers can also enjoy the wide sandy beaches for easy launch and there is plenty of space Read more...
Kitesurfing Centres
- The ION CLUB Risco del Paso is located right in the middle of the bay and to the left hand side of the parking area. Equipment Rentals: The centre is equipped with the latest Duotone boards and kites, and shares the premises with the windsurfing rental. Lessons: The centre provides kitesurfing tuition and courses for all levels, including private as Read more...
- The Rene Egli centre is one of the biggest and best stocked kitesurfing centres in the world! It is located directly beside the tidal lagoon in the palm tree garden of the Hotel Meliã Gorriones. Rental Equipment: The centre is always stocked with the newest Cabrinha Kites & Boards; with no less than 350 kites and 120 kiteboards. All setups Read more...
Getting to Sotavento
International Access
All flights enter in Puerto Rosario Airport which is located about 80 minutes' drive north of Costa Calma.
There are too numerous airlines that fly to Fuerteventura to mention.
Getting Around
Car hire is also very inexpensive on Fuerteventura and is the most efficient and effective way to get around the island to make the most of the wind and water conditions
Transport Services
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Sotavento Accommodation
There are two excellent 4 star hotels at Sotavento Beach, the Hotel Meliá Fuerteventura and the newly opened Sol Beach House Fuerteventura Resort with its unique beach-house ambiance. Both hotels are right at the windsurfing and kitesurfing locations.
The other option is to stay in one of the many hotels in Costa Calma. The Rene Egli centre runs a regular shuttle service to and from Costa Calma.
Featured Properties
- Star Rating:
- 4-star
Sol Beach House is a brand new complex in 2019 offering a variety of studio-style rooms for 1 – 3 guests. The hotel is located right next door to the Melia Fuerteventura and has direct beach access. Rooms have satellite TV, terrace and private bathrooms. The hotel has an outdoor pool and guests have access to all of the facilities Read more... - Star Rating:
- 4-star
Melia Fuerteventura is located absolute beachfront on Sotavento Beach so it is ideally located within walking distance to kite & windsurfing zones. The hotel is family friendly and offers single, twin & double hotel rooms as well as family rooms for up to 2 adults plus 3 children. All rooms are air-conditioned and have a private balcony. There is a Read more... - Star Rating:
- 4-star
This hotel is located right on Costa Calma beach with spectacular views. Rooms cater for 1 – 3 guests and vary from twin/double and a variety of suites with separate sitting areas right up to a presidential suite. All rooms have private bathroom facilities; some with a bath. All rooms have a balcony or terrace and some rooms have ocean Read more... - Star Rating:
- 4-star
The SBH Fuerteventura Playa Hotel is located right in the beach in Costa Calma and only 300 m from the main shopping area. This family friendly hotel offers twin, double and triple rooms all with private bathrooms complete with a bathtub. Rooms have a terrace/balcony and a seating/tv area. The hotel represents good value as all meals and selected beverages Read more... - Star Rating:
- 3-star
Bahai Calma Beach offers studio, 1 & 2 bedroom bungalows & apartments catering for 2 – 5 guests. They are ideally located only 200m from the beaches of Costa Calma. All apartments are self-cater and have dining and living areas with seating & television The complex has 2 swimming pools and a terrace ideal for lounging around on those lazy Read more...
Food & Nightlife in Sotavento
Sotavento evenings are mostly hotel based, relaxing over dinner in one of the hotel bars.
However, a short shuttle bus ride or taxi ride away are the resorts of Costa Calma and Jandia. Jandia offers a low key selection of bars and nightlife. Costa Calma has a good array of restaurants and bars, and an active nightlife, although not as busy as that of Corralejo. Being quite small and compact, it is easy to get around on foot, between the hotels, beach, and the bars and restaurants.
Eating out in Costa Calma
There are plenty of restaurants to choose from around the streets of the town. A favourite spot amongst the watersports enthusiasts is Bside surfers bar and restaurant that has a great atmosphere and a superb view of the sea, and yhe Fuerte Action Café and Restaurant Bar are popular meeting places from breakfast until late at night.
Nightlife in Costa Calma
There are a number of late night bars and nightclubs.
Featured Restaurants
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Sotavento Activities & Culture
The two hotels at Sotovento Beach provide a number of activities for those that are not there to wind and kitesurf:
- SUPping
- 3 fresh-water pools for adults, one of them heat-able
- New tropical pool (75 m length) with integrated hydromassage
- Separate pool for children
- 2 tennis courts with artificial light
- Minigolf
- Gym
- Spa + Wellness Center with Whirlpool
- Special relaxing footbath
- Sauna and Massage
- Table tennis
- Mini Club & playground for our youngest guests (5 - 12 years), climbing wall & observatory
- Extensive entertainment program with socio-cultural activities, sports and games
- In the evening, live music, spectacles & professional shows
- Yoga and Pilates
Although not as busy as Corralejo, there is also much to do a short drive away in and around Costa Calma, for both water sports enthusiasts and those who prefer to stay dry on land.
Other Activities-water
- SUPping
- Diving
- Jetskiing
- Boat trips
Other Activities – non water
- Land sailing
- Mountainbiking
- Quad and Tribike Excursions
- Tennis
- Golf
- Road Cycling
- Electric E-bike cycling
- Four wheel drive offroad tours
Non sporting activities and culture
- Spend the day at the Costa Calma Beach
- Day trip to the historical town of Betancuria
- Day trip to Puerto El Rosario
- Panoramic day tour of Fuerteventura
- Try different restaurants
- Relax with a pint or cocktail overlooking the sea
- Shopping Annual carnival in March
- Nightlife
Featured Activities
- One of the top things to do in Costa Calma beyond kiting & windsurfing is scuba diving. Dive Pro Fuerte is a PADI dive operation offering a range of PADI dive course as well as guided dives around the island of Fuerteventura. The warm, turquoise blue waters of Fuerteventura have an abundance of sea life including turtles and spotted stingrays Read more...
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- Family Friendly
- Kids Facilities
- Some Nightlife
- Easy Access
- Accommodation Nearby
- Non-Sailor Activities
- Cheap Accommodation
- Luxury Hotel Resorts
- Solo Male Traveler
- Solo Female Traveler
- Couple
- Romantic Couple
- Family With Infant(s)
- Family With Young Children
- Family With Teenager(s)
- Male Group
- Female Group
- Mixed Group
- First-Timer
- Novice
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- Expert
- Flat Water
- Chop
- Waves
- Lagoon
- Warm Water
- Sandy Beach
- Foiling
- Sailing Centre(s)
- Equipment Rentals
- Tuition
- Rescue Craft
- Beach Swimming
- Surfing
- SUPping
- Scuba Diving
- Snorkeling
- Road Bike Riding
- Boat Cruises
- Cultural Experiences
- Golf
- Day Spas
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
Sotavento
Fuerteventura
35627
Spain
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1 Review on “Sotavento (Fuerteventura)”
Sotavento is an incredible destination for windsurfing & kitesurfing and has some of the best supporting services you will find anywhere in the world.
The water was turquois blue and warm however I was surprised by the amount of swell and chop. Many people seemed to be having a bit of trouble breaking through the shore break; maybe because they mostly sail on lakes??
The wind was also quite inconsistent and by all reports that was pretty normal. It does however seem blow all the time!
The Melia hotel is set directly behind the windsurfing and kitesurfing areas and centres making it the number one choice of places to stay.
The cost of the hotel was very reasonable for the level of rooms, food & beverages however be prepared to pay the big bucks to rent gear from Rene Igle.
Overall I loved this place although the sailing wasn’t quite as good as I had anticipated.
If you are heading to the Canaries you can’t not sail at this spot.