When we visit the Canary Islands, we can find a magical place, quiet and full of charm: we refer to the Natural Park of Corralejo Dunes in Fuerteventura.
This incredible natural space is a sea of white sand dunes, fine textured, which feels like a gentle marine caress to lie on it to let the sun bathe us.
Its extension of approximately 8 kilometres covers almost 2668 hectares of a landscape that enchants us and an impressive relief that varies from 0 to 50 metres high.
In this article of the Lopesan Group Blog you can learn a little more about this spectacular place worth visiting. Thus, if you decide to plan a trip to Fuerteventura, you can have the information in advance to make the most of the experience and visit the most important corners of the Corralejo Dunes of Fuerteventura.
Natural Park of the Corralejo Dunes in Fuerteventura
This space was declared a protected area in 1994 and is an almost hypnotic landscape that the island of Fuerteventura is fortunate to have.
Recall that this is also a volcanic island, so while in the centre we find a tour of volcanic terrain of red and ocher tones, on the north side we will find a diametrically opposite landscape, with this field of clear dunes, the largest of all the Canary Islands.
To access the Corralejo Dunes of Fuerteventura, visitors must take the FV-1 road, which leads from the capital, Puerto del Rosario, to the town of Corralejo itself.
It is important to note that access to the park is not allowed with any type of vehicle, so you have to leave it in the parking lot and walk around it.
What to do in the Corralejo Dunes Natural Park of Fuerteventura?
The moment you arrive at the park, you will feel like going all over it, exploring every corner. However, it is important to keep in mind that there are delimited areas where you are not allowed to pass. Do not worry about this, as it is a rule that aims to protect the place, but it will not prevent you from enjoying your visit.
The dunes cover a large part of the landscape of this sector of the island and constitute a space of incalculable value both as an ecosystem and for its splendour and beauty. The winds contribute to the constant change of landscape, so if you visit the park at different times, you will see how the landscape changes throughout the year.
What to do and what to see in the Corralejo Dunes of Fuerteventura, take out pencil and paper and write down all these ideas!
Natural beauty to enjoy
It is precisely the beauty of the landscape that allows many photographers, professionals and amateurs to capture with their lens the white sea of these rolling sands that merge with the blue of the Atlantic.
For bird watching enthusiasts, the Corralejo Dunes of Fuerteventura is also an ideal place for this activity. The Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA) considers it a perfect place to appreciate the beauty and behaviour of species such as the curlew, kestrels, racers, bustard or the canary bustard.
But its diversity does not stop there: visitors can find native species of the island as majorera goats, rabbits and squirrels. However, the dunes are also home to various kinds of reptiles and invertebrate animals, including beetles, among many other species.
The xerophytic flora, typical of these sandy environments, offers visitors to the dunes a magnificent view of the sea grape, jonquils, melosas and star onions, endemic species of the area that add a touch of colour to this light mantle of sand.
If we approach the southernmost area of the park we will see how the true soil of the island begins to show: the volcanic. The sand uncovers spaces where it is possible to see traces of what was once fluid magma, now solidified into basaltic rock.
Hiking and running sports
A must for all hikers is the ascent to Montaña Roja, a volcanic cone of 312 metres high that offers one of the best views of the area, showing the northern part of the islet of Lobos and even the neighbouring island of Lanzarote.
As an interesting note for those who enjoy athletics, a half marathon is held in Corralejo every November. With this 21-kilometre race, athletes can cross a large part of the park and force their bodies to run through this challenging scenery, a unique experience that combines sport and spectacular scenery!
Sun, beaches and dunes
One of the main attractions of the Corralejo Dunes of Fuerteventura are its beaches. The white sand and turquoise water attract with its charm and beauty to those who are lucky enough to visit them.
Along 9 kilometres, these great beaches of Corralejo offer the possibility to enjoy them as temperatures are usually very favourable and stable for much of the year. Nothing better than making the tour of the dunes in the morning, when the temperature is cooler and, in the afternoon, diving to refresh the body and revitalizing it after the tour.
Favoured by the winds coming from Africa, the beaches of Corralejo of Fuerteventura are perfect for extreme water sports such as surfing, windsurfing or kitesurfing.
We find, much further north of the dunes, family beaches. On these beaches you can spend the day lying on the sand and enjoying delicious baths because in this area the winds are not usually so strong. For the little ones it is ideal, because the shores are shallow and are quite safe and very pleasant to splash around without restrictions or danger.
However, the beaches of the south are really of that wild nature that sportsmen are looking for and that we already mentioned as perfect scenery for various water activities. The wind is so good in this part of the dunes that an International Kite Festival has been held here since 1987.
We know very well that the beaches are one of the main focuses of interest for visitors to the Canary Islands, so we show you, below, some of them that you should not miss:
El Burro Beach
If you are interested in a beach where you can enjoy a quiet day without many tourists, the Burro beach, also called Alzada, is ideal for you. With a length of 300 metres, it is a space where the winds, although not exactly soft, are not uncomfortable.
Located in the town of Corralejo, its access is one of the easiest since it can be reached both by public transport and by private car.
Its advantage? The gentle waves to be with family or friends. A point against? Being an almost virgin beach, it does not have many services, so you should bring supplies to spend the day comfortably, but yes, really relaxed.
Moro Beach
This is a beach that we recommend for surfing. Its waves and wind are ideal for surfing. With its fine white sand and turquoise water, its 300 metres long are ideal for a small tour. Its location is privileged since it is possible to see both the Islet of Lobos and Lanzarote.
The services are few, but enough to spend a fun and relaxing “beach” day.
El Bajo Negro Beach
This is a true oasis within the Corralejo Dunes area of Fuerteventura. Its 500 metres of beach, with a barely perceptible swell, make it the perfect place for family enjoyment.
The great advantage of Bajo Negro and what most attracts visitors to this place is that it has many services, restaurants and specific areas for children to play and have a great time.
El Viejo Beach
This is another perfect beach for family enjoyment because it has special protection against waves and lifeguard service.
Its fine sand and translucent waters are the ideal setting for some good photos throughout the day, while enjoying all the amenities and services offered by this beach. So you can be calm and go lighter just to be bathed by the sun and its turquoise waters.
Medano Beach
This is another perfect setting for lovers of water sports and activities, including windsurfing and kiteboarding. It has excellent waves and winds that favour these activities, in addition to a beautiful route along its 700 metres of golden sand.
In addition to sports, the place lends itself to whale and dolphin watching, so you can’t miss it!
Islote de Lobos, a must-see visit
If there is something you can not miss, since we are in Corralejo, is a visit to the islet of Lobos.
The space, which owes its name to an ancient colony of sea lions and monk seals that inhabited the area, is just a couple of kilometres from Corralejo. Its surface has 6 kilometres of surface and 14 kilometres of coastline, all destined to the protection of wildlife.
However, the visit is allowed, subject to permission from the Cabildo of Fuerteventura. Their tours will take tourists to appreciate the unique charm of this island that can only be reached by sea.
What to see in Lobos islet?
As in the Corralejo Dunes of Fuerteventura, touring the islet of Lobos will not leave you unmoved by so much beauty. Doing trekking through this volcanic landscape can be an unforgettable experience.
The ascent to the volcanic cone of La Caldera is part of the recommended tour. As we ascend La Caldera, you can appreciate the breathtaking view of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, which is perfect to capture in picture, video and in your memory forever.
Be sure to swim in its beaches, there are two areas where it is possible to do so. The first is the beach of La Concha, very close to the pier of the islet, which is very comfortable for swimming because of its semicircular shape.
Another option is the Caleta de Rasca, where we find a nice restaurant where we can be at ease while enjoying the view, the beach and the essence of the island while tasting some delicious dishes.
Corralejo, extended visit
If one thing is for sure is that the visit to the Corralejo Dunes of Fuerteventura will take you more than a day. We recommend that you plan your visits for at least 2-3 days.
Surely you will not want to leave the area if you already have a plan to visit all that the Natural Park Corralejo Dunes has to offer.
Something not to be missed is the gastronomic offer of the area that offers local delicacies that we are sure you will love.
Are you willing to spend a moment of absolute peace in this special area of Fuerteventura? If your answer is yes, start packing your bags, your dream vacation is waiting for you!
