Fuerteventura is a sports lover’s paradise. The numerous beaches and warm waters lend themselves well to water activities such as windsurfing, sailing, scuba diving and fishing. There are many rental places that offer lessons along with equipment. You can even improve your sailing skills aboard a catamaran on a dolphin- or whale-watching expedition.

Thanks to the island’s excellent beaches, Fuerteventura also hosts the world’s speed-surfing championship every August. Other special events include an annual kite-flying contest in November, week-long Carnival celebrations in February or March.

There are several nature reserves in Fuerteventura where endemic flora and fauna flourish. The largest are the Parque Natural de Jandía, which spreads over 35000 acres on the southern peninsula, and the Parque Natural de Corralejo, which has excellent beaches and is home to numerous protected species. The Islote de Lobos, located just north of Fuerteventura, is also worth a visit. There are no accommodations on-site, though, so only day trips by boat are available.

There are over 150 beaches on Fuerteventura of all varieties, from Morre Jable, which has fine white sand and mild tides, to El Aljibe, a stretch of black volcanic sand with heavy waves. Beaches in the north tend to be of the sand dune variety, while those in the south are more flat. However, many of the southern beaches also have severe undertows that make swimming dangerous.