Fuerteventura: a secret no longer – Fuerteventura becomes Britain’s most popular canary island destination.
Fuerteventura is fast becoming the most sought-after destination for european holidays, with an estimated 700,000+ British holiday makers visiting Fuerteventura per annum. With its picture postcard beaches, year round sunshine and ever increasing number of high class accommodations, Fuerteventura has successfully moved away from being just another remote corner of the holiday world to be amongst the leading players in the travel industry. Fuerteventura is one of the islands that make up the Canary Islands located off the northwest coast of africa. In 2024 the Canary Islands welcomed nearly 18m tourists, the highest total ever recorded and were led by the British.
In terms of how successful Fuerteventura has been as a holiday destination, it is difficult to better the facts and figures available. In recent years Fuerteventura has seen an increase in foreign visitors numbering over 2.3 million and has seen an increase of over 7% when compared to previous years. As described by tourism officials, Fuerteventura is currently seeing an unprecedented level of “struggle” in terms of controlling tourist numbers, with official data revealing that numbers are up 7.8%, resulting in 55,120 more visitors arriving than previously forecast.
As mentioned above, British tourists have always recognized the attractions of the Canary Islands as a destination and Fuerteventura is becoming increasingly important within the larger regional appeal. What attracts British tourists to Fuerteventura? The guarantee of sunshine during the winter months (often referred to as the darkest part of the year) combined with direct flights from main British airports and the familiarity of the holiday experience. British tourists are attracted to Fuerteventura due to the opportunity to enjoy sunshine in an environment that they can recognize as part of their own culture.
British tourists come to Fuerteventura for a variety of reasons. Families choose Fuerteventura because of its shallow waters and large sandy beaches that are perfect for young children. Couples are attracted to Fuerteventura for its romantic sunsets and sophisticated resort options. Windsports enthusiasts including wind surfers and kite boarders know about Fuerteventura’s ideal conditions and have created a specialized niche tourism sector that supports the wider tourism market based upon beach holidays. The ability of Fuerteventura to attract such diverse markets has enabled it to maintain consistent levels of tourism throughout the year.
A major reason why British tourists visit Fuerteventura so regularly is because of the availability of direct flights from various u.k. Cities. Airline companies have responded positively to the increasing demand and have added routes from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and other departure points. The convenience provided by airlines has reduced much of the barriers that existed in relation to choosing Fuerteventura as a destination compared to other options such as costa del sol or portugal’s algarve.
Resorts on Fuerteventura: areas attracted to by British tourists
Over recent years the resort infrastructure in Fuerteventura has improved significantly to meet the needs of its growing population of British tourists. There are five distinct regions that have become preferred locations for British tourists with each region possessing unique qualities that enable it to serve differing requirements.
one of the most prominent resort towns for British tourists to Fuerteventura is Corralejo. Situated in the northernmost section of the island, this thriving town provides an outstanding example of a complete resort destination, boasting hotels, apartments, restaurants, bars and entertainment options. Beaches surrounding Corralejo are renowned for their gold-coloured sand and crystal-clear water; features that contribute to Corralejo’s reputation as one of the best beaches in Fuerteventura.
Corralejo is used as the principal departure point for boat tours to the nearby islet of Lobos and to see the vast expanse of sand dunes that exist in Corralejo natural park, which undoubtedly creates some of the island’s most breathtaking scenery.
During recent years Corralejo has undergone significant expansion with new hotel developments occurring and upgrades taking place on many existing hotels improving standards generally. British tourists will discover recognizable brand names along with local establishments offering genuine Canarian hospitality. The town center is home to a delightful pedestrianized shopping precinct where tourists may acquire souvenirs, purchase beach accessories or merely absorb the ambiance of this popular resort town.
Costa Calma provides a contrasting dimension of resort experiences in Fuerteventura. Situated on the southeastern coast, Costa Calma is a resort constructed specifically for family holidays and those seeking a leisurely pace. The calmer waters that characterize some sections of the coastline present a safer option for swimmers and paddlers than some parts of the island’s more exposed northern shores.
Costa Calma was developed under a deliberate plan with wide avenues lined with lush greenery, many restaurants and shops that cater for all tourist needs and no need to venture beyond your selected resort location.
Its close proximity to the Jandía peninsula makes Costa Calma even more appealing as visitors can easily explore the beautiful beaches at the southernmost tip of the island whilst benefiting from a full range of tourist services offered by their designated resort. This blend of accessible beaches and quality resort comforts has made Costa Calma a highly favored destination for British tourists who value having amenities at hand.
Located on the southernmost peninsula of Fuerteventura, Jandía represents the luxury segment of Fuerteventura’s resort offerings. Many of Jandía’s hotels are positioned in the upper tier of quality, with many providing all inclusive packages that have gained considerable popularity among British families and couples seeking a trouble-free holiday experience. The beaches in Jandía are regarded by many experts as being amongst the finest on the Canary Islands with their expansive width and soft white sand producing a virtually Caribbean-like ambience that contrasts sharply with the rugged rock-lined coastlines found throughout much of the rest of the archipelago.
As a result of its exclusive focus on tourism, Jandía’s resort area has become a cohesive destination that fulfills all aspects associated with a tourist holiday experience. On top of its extensive beach frontage with hotels lining every inch of its length, Jandía has a variety of dining options catering for international tastes while still serving local specialties, as well as entertaining programs ensuring visitors will never be short of things to do. For British tourists looking for superior standard accommodation directly adjacent to beaches, Jandía presents very attractive options.
Although significantly smaller than other established resort areas on fuertventura, El Cotillo has achieved great loyalty from British tourists who prefer its more authentic feel. Situated on the northwest coast, El Cotillo retains many of its historic fishing village attributes while providing sufficient tourist services required by modern travelers. The beaches in El Cotillo are spectacular with natural lagoons creating safe swimming opportunities that have contributed greatly to El Cotillo’s appeal with families.
Many British tourists comment on El Cotillo being distinctly different from other areas of fuertventura; it is perceived to be closer to local community and nature than other areas on the island.
The natural attractiveness of fuertventura as a destination cannot be overstated; it boasts an incredible 150 km of beaches ranking it as one of Europe’s leading destinations for beachgoers. Ranging from the wild atlantic facing shoreline of fuertventura’s western coast to quieter protected sandy coves on its eastern shore; fuertventura offers a wealth of choices suitable for all preferences from tranquil paddling through to turbulent surfing waves.
The sand itself deserves special attention; many beaches along fuertventura boast some exceptionally fine sand with colors ranging from pale to bright white – similar in aesthetic appeal to beaches found in many Caribbean destinations.
To add depth to its already varied landscapes; dunes found in specific areas such as around Corralejo and Jandía peninsula create sahara-like expanses with golden hills dramatically juxtaposed against deep blues of the Atlantic Ocean.
Below surface level, fuertventura offers equally exciting conditions for snorkeling/diving with Underwater visibility exceeding thirty meters on calm days and an abundance marine life. Boat trips are available from many operators to dive/snorkel hotspots around fuertventura and surrounding islet of Lobos.
Fuertventura’s interior displays yet another aspect to its natural geography; volcanic landscapes which give testament to its formation geologically speaking. The interior is primarily dry land however this arid landscape has its own beauty; volcanic craters/cones/lava flows stretching across miles of country side – walking/cycling are increasingly gaining popularity with visitors discovering that there is more to fuertventura than beach time alone.
Fuertventura’s future: a pathway to sustainable tourism development
Fuertventura’s rising popularity as a tourist destination brings with it many challenges associated with mass tourism growth. Authorities in fuertventura recognize the importance in sustainable growth and development and therefore investing heavily in supporting infrastructure capable of accommodating increasing volumes of tourist traffic while protecting the natural assets that continue to attract visitors today.
Development projects include upgrading airport facilities, improving transportation links/road network and adding extra capacity to accommodation stock etc. However it is also evident that authorities realize that fuertventura’s success as a tourist destination relies entirely on retaining its individuality – i.e., natural beauty, space & untouched environment – that sets it apart from more densely populated tourist destinations.
Fuerteventura is an attractive tourist location for UK residents due to ease of access via regular direct air travel routes from many UK airports; the diversity of resorts available to accommodate differing budgets and preferences; and the consistent high-quality of beaches and scenic landscapes.
Fuerteventura is able to provide all of the desired experiences and attractions for family-based holidays (e.g. family friendly beaches/safe swimming areas) to romantic holidays (e.g. sunset/romantic dinners); to adventure holidays (e.g. exploring volcanic regions/challenging surfing).
It is therefore no surprise that Fuerteventura attracts increasing number of UK residents every year or why so many repeat visitors refer to it as their ‘home’ away from home. The outlook for the future is strong for tourism in general on Fuerteventura and specifically from the UK market. Tourism officials expect further increases in visitor numbers and that UK residents will remain amongst the largest groups of international visitors to Fuerteventura. Those who have not experienced the benefits of visiting Fuerteventura can take note of the continually expanding pool of testimonials from previous British visitors to confirm the merits of Fuerteventura as a worthwhile choice for your next vacation.