Sotavento is one of the world’s most famous windsurfing, wing foiling 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.Â
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 funneled 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, wing dingers 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.Â
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 windsurfing, wing foiling 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, winger 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.Â
- 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
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.