Outside of the protected lagoon, El Cotillo is the finest wave spot on the north shore. Fuerteventura’s north shore area probably offers the highest amount of days with wind AND waves of all the Canary Islands, varying between 150 and 190 wave sailing days per year. About 70% of those days are side shore conditions.
The wind is gustier here than at Flag beach, but there are nearly always waves here.
In winter the waves can reach up to 5m high. The waves often close out when the swell is overhead, or the tidal direction wrong for the banks that cause the waves to break. However, in Summer the waves are smaller and safer, and the banks improve after the winter scouring and cause the waves to barrel . The cliffs at the north end offer some north wind protection. The area picks up the north to west swell. Cotillo is also a good intermediate wave sailing spot all year around if the waves are not too big.
Average amount of wavesailing days per month through the year:
Jan:11, feb: 13, march: 18, april: 22, may: 18, june: 21, july: 25, august: 22, september: 5, oct: 4, Nov: 6, dec: 9
Both tacks are sailed, on average 50/50. Jumping spots are: Punta Blanca (starboard tack), Rocky Point (both tacks) Flag beach (at low tide) and Sotavento when there´s waves (all port tack). Cross to cross off shore riding: Cotillo, Majanicho, Lobos (all starboard tack) and La Caleta, Bristol, Flag beach, Glass beach, Puerto Lajas (all port tack) and Rocky Point and Hierro (both tacks)
Best ground swell (W to N directions, hardly useable on the other Canary Islands): from october till april
Summer (wind) swell (NNE to NE direction): april till august. (Summer waves are usually 50 to 100% bigger as other Canary Islands, both due to swell size as bottom shape)
Best wind consistency: from march till august, with the highest average wind days around march/april and july/august.
Best cross to cross off riding conditions: october till april. This includes float and ride conditions.
N-NE wind directions are stronger as predicted at Sotavento
SWerlies are stronger as predicted on the North Shore
