Fuerteventura Surfing and Boogyboarding

Article and photographs by Nick Ajose

As with windsurfing, Fuerteventura has become a Mecca for surfers and boogyboarders especially during the Autmn/winter months with the advent of the large Atlantic swells.

There are perfect breaks to suit all abilities and some top class surf schools for the total beginner.

Pros

• Relatively Inexpensive
• Many Unridden Spots
• Uncrowded
• Excellent Reefs
• Rarely Flat
• Powerful Waves
• Friendly Place

Cons

• Unpredictable Strong Winds
• Occassional Theft From Cars

The Surf on Fuerteventura

The most consistent surf is found on the north/NW coast with many spots 'unridden'. There are waves to suit most standards of surfers but also some absolute gems for the more adventurous.

The surf is pretty much divided into two main seasons - Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer - much along the lines of the rest of Northern Europe.

Autumn/Winter

Swells come out of the Atlantic hitting the West and North coast with regularity. Occassionally large swells can wrap around to the island's North East and South coasts.

Your biggest consideration at these times will be swell size, wind directions and the size of your balls.

As the swell wraps around the North, wave height diminishes slightly. So if El Hierro is maxed then there will be surfable waves at other spots further East such as El Muelle (The Harbour) or even Punta Elena (Rocky Point).

When everything is maxed head to Flag Beach at mid to high or El Burro (Glass Beach) where occassionally the point can be small but fun.

Spring/Summer

Traditionally the Sailing season, has now seeing the explosion of Kite Surfing.

The Atlantic swells are often affected by a dominant high pressure system with a low over the african mainland heralding the North Easterly Tradewinds.

This season's surfing is not nearly as consistent as Autumn/Winter but there are still fun waves to be had predominantly on the East coast and at times the Cotillo region.

Best for surfers who want a quick, warm, easy destination. Water Temperature can reach 22 degrees Centigrade.

North Coast Surfing

Some of the best surf areas on the island are to be found along the dirt road known as the North track.
This road starts near the Bristol Playa Apartments in Corralejo, continues to the lighthouse near El Cotillo taking just over an hour to drive.
The track is not the best of surfaces and beyond the small village of Majanicho it isn't really suitable for small cars. So if you're sensible you'll hire a 4WD jeep.

Another thing to remember before you set off along the North track is that there are no shops etc, so be sure to take a good supply of water and some food!

Rocky Point - Punta Helena - Corralejo

Right hand reef break.
One of the island's most popular breaks. When the other breaks start to close out it can get a bit crowded.

El Muelle - Harbour Wall - Corralejo

Left hand reef that wraps around for a long fast ride, occassionally barrelling but beware - at certain times the barrel section is very powerful and shallow.

Click to download a short video of Harbour Wall

Bristol - Shooting Gallery - Corralejo

Left hand reef.
Fast and hollow.intense at low - a little more forgiving at high. Very popular local spot with a small take-off area so either come early or mind your manners.

Generosa

Left hand reef with a long wall - not too intense unless it's huge. At high tide there are occassional fun, fast rights to be had - Kick out before you hit the rocks.

Suicides

A fickle and seldom surfed reef breaking in shallow water. Well named as mistakes can be costly. It's to the right of Mejillonas.

Mejillonas - Mechihonas

Big wave spot with shifting peaks and heavy hold downs. Picks up more swell than most of the north and only shows its true colours on a decent swell.

Majanicho

At the end of the road from Lajares lies the small fishing village of Majanicho. To the right of the village lies a long righthander. Best at low to mid tide. Easier at high tide.
Also popular with windsurfers when the wind is up.

El Hierro

Divided into 3 wave spots :

1. El Hierro Derecha - The Bubble

Possibly the most well known and photographed of Fuerteventura's waves.
An intense hollow right hander with excellent right hand barrels and short intense lefts. Powerful and shallow. A true board snapper.

2. El Hierro Izquierda - Hierro

A long powerful left with two peaks helpful in spreading the crowds. On the right swell and wind one of the finest fun waves to be had. Breaks in reasonably deep water. Good at all tides.

3. Derecha de Aleman - German Rights

So called because of the popularity of the german surf schools. another long right breaking in two spots which occassionally link up to give a long fast ride - excellent at low to mid tides - similar to Majanicho.

El Cotillo

South of the village of Cotillo lies a long sandy beach, with many varying peaks. Typically with many beach breaks, the sandbars play a major role in the quality of the wave. Worth a look when there is no wind or its blowing an Easterly.

Esquinzo

Further South from Cotillo lies a beach at the end of a gorge - quite difficult to find but worth a look. Works under similar conditions to Cotillo but has consistently better sandbars. Do not leave anything in your car.

surf report © magicseaweed.com

Summary Chart

Wave	Photo	Direction	Type	Level
Rocky Point	x	right	reef	inside -all outside- skilled
Harbour Wall	yes	left	reef	skilled
Shooting Gallery	x	left	reef	skilled
Generosa	yes	left	reef	all
Suicides	yes	right	reef	skilled
Mejillonas	x	left	reef	skilled
Majanicho	x	right	reef	all
El Hierro	yes	left	reef	all
The Bubble	yes	right	reef	skilled
German Rights	x	right	reef	all
Cotillo	x	right & left	beach	all
Esquinzo	x	left	beach	all
Please note that we have only listed the popular waves - in part to keep some places as 'special' for locals. The more adventurous can find many more on their own eg on the North coast there are more than 30 surfable waves.

About The Author

Nick Ajose has been a travelling surfer for a number of years and has spent many winters surfing in Fuerteventura while earning a crust in Corralejo's infamous Oink Bar (now known as Kiss Kiss Bang Bang)

Nick's often up at sunrise checking the surf and taking the opportunity to capture some stunning sunrises like the one here.

 

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