by Joseph Richard Francis
written by Joseph Richard Francis Published: Updated:
Corralejo surf is the piece de resistance of Fuerteventura. Come to find a good set of beach breaks in a traditional Canarian town, along with a host of hidden spots stringing along the east coast of the island and beyond. This is the best place to go if you’re seeking a beginner-friendly or family-friendly surf camp in the region, too.
An introduction to Corralejo surf
We think Corralejo is best viewed as a gateway to the whole of the island of Fuerteventura. Yes, there are surf spots right on the doorstep, but it would be a shame not to pack up the board and venture out to everything else that’s on offer here (it’s one of the best Canaries for wave riding, no questions).
The Corralejo surf options that are within reach of the town are the mainstay breaks of the Fuerta east coast. They string along miles and miles of beachfront within the jaw-dropping Corralejo Natural Park. The locals call this area the Grandes Playas and it’s riddled with fun beach breaks and little reef point breaks to suit a mix of levels.
Atlantic weather systems dictate that N-NE winds are the best on Corralejo’s corner of the island, which predominantly swing by in the summer months. If you’re holidaying between May and August, that could mean flat days. Don’t despair. El Cotillo – out on the west side of the isle – and the separate Isla de Lobos have more consistent surf. Corralejo iswithin easy reach of both by ferry or car.
As a town, Corralejo has plenty of life. Whitewashed Spanish casitas and salt-washed fishing shacks still roll down to the harbour. There are quaint tapas bars with al fresco tables overlooking the ocean. You’ll see bobbing boats and palm-speckled promenades. It’s just an all-round lovely place to base a Fuerteventura surf holiday.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
This guide is just one part of ourcomplete guide to surfing in the Canary Islands
Corralejo surf at a glance
The good:
- Great for beginners – lots of surf schools
- Beautiful beaches in the area for when you’re not surfing
- Good after-surf scene
The bad:
- Can be windy
- Beautiful beaches in the area for when you’re not surfing
- Pros might get bored because of summer flat days
What will I find in this guide to Corralejo surf?
Where is Corralejo?
Corralejo sits on the far north-eastern side of Fuerteventura. The town hugs a sort of natural harbour that looks over a narrow strait to the small Isla de Lobos.
The smaller Canary Island of Lanzarote is situated to the north. Meanwhile, the main FV-1 roadway (the main roadway on the whole of Fuerta) runs southwards, linking up lots of the top Corralejo surf spots and, eventually, the airport past Puerto del Rosario.
You’ll also be about 20 minutes’ drive across the island from El Cotillo, which is the second most popular spot for surfers in Fuerte.
Surf spots in (and around) Corralejo
Corralejo is surrounded by all sorts of surf breaks. There are the Grand beaches to the south of town where most people go, but you can also switch over to the west coast to discover more in El Cotillo.
El Bajo Medio Beach
Intermediate+
Point break
The closest surf spot of all to Corralejo proper, El Bajo Medio breaks on the bay just south of the town. It only really works on heavy N swells (so it’s one to watch in the height of the winter). It’s a pretty fun right-hand wall that can get hollow on sections when it works. El Bajo also includes a left that’s harder to reach on the paddle out but is a cruisy longboard spot that can rival any on the island. Downsides here include big line ups (most other places will be blown out when Bajo is working, remember and reef bottom).
Flag Beach
Beginner/Intermediate
Beach break
Flag beach is one of the first ports of call for surf schools in Corralejo. It’s a couple of kilometres to the south of the town, but still easy to access. The main problem here is wind. Kiteboarders won’t complain but if it’s just you and the fibreglass a lot can be blown out. Winter is best when the prevailing offshores kick in. Also – wear booties! The ground is rocky and quite sharp at points.
Playa Los Matos
Beach break
Intermediates
So long as you can judge a rip and check the tide, there’s a chance you’ll catch a wave down on this section of the Grande Playas. Generally speaking, this area is less busy than the options closer to Corralejo town. Mix reef and sand bottom with stunning views of Los Lobos in the distance.
El Burro
Beginner/Intermediate
Beach break
Lending itself mainly towards improving beginners, but also decent for intermediates on a bigger day, El Burro (also called Glass Beach) is a great spot at the end of the Grande Playas strip. The great thing here is that easterly kick up some decent waves in the summer months, so it’s a regular with Corralejo surf schools and surf guides. The wave itself is a wedge with left and right sections, although the left is the longer and main ride. Best on a lower tide. Always watch out for the reef underfoot.
Playa del Moro
Beginner
Beach break
One of the best-known spots on any surf map Fuerteventura can muster, Playa del Moro brings us right to the end of the main beach strip south of Corralejo. Needs big N-NW swells to get kicking, so winter is usually flat. Summer it’s a hubbub of surf schools who enjoy the little chest-high breakers with their lefts and rights and lots of whitewash. Few hazards underfoot and a gorgeous view to the north-east looking over the Isla Lobos. Basically, if you’re starting out surfing in Fuerteventura, this one’s a great pick!
Los Lobos
Pros only
Point break
Pros on the search for a little surf guiding Fuerteventura style might want to ask about Los Lobos. It’s easily the most challenging break in the region, but boy is it worth it if you’ve got what it takes. The day will start with a ferry over to the Isla Lobos from Corralejo (they go a couple of times each morning and get you there around 10am). Then, you make for a paddle out at a point on the north-west side of the island. That’s the take off for what’s considered the longest wave in the Canaries. It can run for half a km or more down the side of the isle. Sectiony and very fast with parts that wall and barrel. Again: Pros only!
El Cotillo
Beach break
Beginner-Pro (depending on the season)
There’s some serious moxie in this beach break on the far western edge of Fuerta. It stretches southward from the (rather pretty) town of the same name to offer a series of welcoming peaks that are typically waist to chest high in the summer months. So, it’s hardly a wonder that oodles of surf schools make their way over to give lessons. Winter swells might be more inviting to more advanced riders but rips do occur because of shifting sandbanks.
We have a complete guide to surfing in El Cotillo
The best surf camps in Corralejo
One area where Corralejo really does stand out is when it comes to surf camps. This town is actually one of the epicenters of the learn-to-surf scene in the Canaries and it has some of the best all-round surf lodges to show for it.
We focus in on quite a few of them in our full guide to the very best surf camps in Fuerteventura and our guide to the best surf camps in the Canary Islands as a whole.
Here’s a sneak preview of the ones we think are the best of all…
- Surf Safari Fuerteventura – The new offering from these guys is soooo tempting, so fun. You get the standard set of surf lessons throughout the week but also the chance to do surfari outings in thier 4X4 to secret breaks that only the guides and locals know about.
- Gracy’s Surf Yoga Villa Fuerteventura – One for the yogis, this package has a dual focus on morning and afternoon yoga practice but also surfing every day throughout the week. It takes place in a lovely villa and includes healthy, vegan cooking across 14 days.
- Line Up Surf Camp – Take this 6-day package with Line Up and you’ll get 3x personalized surf lessons, along with theory surf tuition and up to four hours’ surfing per day.
A note on why we partner with BookSurfCamps.com: Book Surf Camps are probably the biggest online aggregator of surf camps and surf-yoga packages in the world. We sounded out a quite a few potential partners before we affiliated with them. But, in the end, the abundance of choice for beginners, intermediates, and female-only surfing sealed it. We also love the simplicity of their booking system and the trusted brand name, along with the focus on connecting with homegrown local businesses on the ground.
Want more Corralejo surf camp options? Search the whole shebang below right now and book in a few clicks.
Great surf hotels in Corralejo
Corralejo has some cracking surf accommodation, designed specifically for those looking to get on the waves, organise their first surf lessons, and explore this lovely part of the Fuerta coast…
Dreamsea Fuerteventura ($$)
Dreamsea is a ridiculously nice surf stay, but then what would you expect of a brand that’s got pedigree in Ericiera, Sri Lanka, and Uluwatu. Yep, this new iteration of the global surf hotel chain keeps the boho style and the gorgeous chillout spaces. You can organize lessons on site and get board rental too.
Corralejo Surfing Colors Hotel&Apartments ($$)
Close to the heart of the town but also near the main surf beaches of the Grand Playas,this lovely hotelhas its own outdoor pool. It’s got rooms suited to both couples and families, along with a gorgeous sun terrace. The best part? There’s surf rental available right on site!
AVANTI Lifestyle Hotel – Only Adults ($$$)
Luxury ahoy. Sunbeds overlooking the ocean. Walking access to the beaches. Excellent tavernas on the doorstep. Deluxe suites done in a sort of Greek-Spainish mashup. Oh, and hot tubs on the roof. Nice.
A note on why we partner with BookSurfCamps.com: Book Surf Camps are probably the biggest online aggregator of surf camps and surf-yoga packages in the world. We sounded out a quite a few potential partners before we affiliated with them. But, in the end, the abundance of choice for beginners, intermediates, and female-only surfing sealed it. We also love the simplicity of their booking system and the trusted brand name, along with the focus on connecting with homegrown local businesses on the ground.
Want more Corralejo surf camp options? Search the whole shebang below right now and book in a few clicks.
Step-by-step guide to planning your Corralejo surf trip right now
Step one: Book flights to the Corralejo surf…Lately, we like Omio for searching flights. It’s a nice interface and has lots of airline options. We also use Skyscanner because that sometimes offers deals that even beat going direct to the carrier!
Step two: Book your surf camp Book Surf Camps is the numero uno online booking platform for fully-fledged surf-stay packages on the internet right now. Then there’s Booking.com. That has consistently unbeatable rates for hotels and a nifty map feature that lets you check EXACTLY how close your hotel is to a surf break.
Step three: Get insuranceThis is kinda’ important. Not just for surf trips but for any trips. SafetyWing is great for nomad travelers. They offer rolling contracts that cover amateur surfing.
Step four (optional): Rent a car If you’re surf camping then you might not need wheels. If you’re not then we’ll just say this: We’ve never been on a surf trip that wasn’t improved by having our own car. Use RentalCars – they’re the best.
Step five: Enjoy!
For paying for stuff when you’re traveling – Get a Wise borderless card/account. They charge NOTHING for POS payments in any country and have some of the best FX rates around in our humble opinion.
When to surf in Corralejo?
The good news is that there’s usually waves in Corralejo all year round. You only need to take a glance at the orientation of the surf beaches Fuerteventura has to see that some face west, some face east, others point north and south. That means there’s usually a swell direction that’s working. As a general guide:
Summer (May-August)
Summer swells tend to be smaller and more manageable across the whole island of Fuerteventura. Trade winds coming from across the Atlantic out of Africa kick into action, creating steady streams of swell in the N-NE direction. That’s why the Grande Playas beaches directly south of Corralejo are at their best in this season. Meanwhile, the protected beach breaks of Cotillo on the west coast get way smaller and more suited to beginner schools.
One warning for pros: Summer might be great for starters and improvers, but there are flat days. If you’ve been drawn to this corner of the Canaries by the promise of seeing Europe’s Hawaii in action, it’s not the time of year to do it. Hold off for the powerful northerlies of winter instead.
Wear: Shorties cut it, 2mm is usually enough
Winter (October-March)
The winter months are actually considered the high season in the Canary Islands. Pleasant daytime temperatures in the 20s and hardly a speck of rain mean that the Spanish archipelago is a doozy for snowbirds fleeing the mainland Europe winter. It’s also a great time to plan a Fuerteventura surf holiday if you’re a seasoned surfer.
The reason? The winter gets good dominant swells from the North Atlantic. The winds, meanwhile, switch to southerlies, relieving the onshores on both coasts of Fuerteventura and adding a little extra shape to the waves. The ocean can be a tad cooler, so we’d usually recommend a 3/2mm for this time of year. Locals will often wear shorties throughout.
Wear: 2mm full suit or a 3/2 for longer sessions
Surf shops in Corralejo
Because Corralejo is one of the main points on the surf map Fuerteventura, it’s hardly a surprise that there are plenty of places to bag some gear. A few of the top picks would be:
Paradise Surf
On the north side of Corralejo’s downtown is the excellent surf emporium of Paradise Surf. Visitors are greeted with several racks of fibre and epoxy boards that go from high-volume to nifty fish-tail shorties. Sandals, flipflops, boardshorts, rash vests – the whole lot is there. Pretty nice selection of surf wear to boot!
Homegrown Surfshop
Funky colours and funky folk await at the Homegrown Surfshop. Honestly, the spot looks more like a jerk shack on Jamaica than an outlet for gear and surf lessons – check out that mural of waves and hibiscus out front! Inside it’s wall to wall with gear. Home-printed surf tops and aloha bags all stack up next to skate gear and some crazy tie-dye boards. Cracking place.
Where to eat in Corralejo
There are tons of great places to chow down in Corralejo, from pubs that do full English breakos (Brits simply CANNOT go without em) to Spanish tapas joints with nice wine lists and small plates. We have a few little boltholes we will always go back to…
- Casa Manolo ($$) – Once you’re done with the Corralejo surf, why not reward yourself with a hearty meal that’s real Canaries. Cue Casa Manolo. This lovely little joint just back from the promenade serves spicy rice and potato croquettes, huge steaks and uber-fresh seafood. Still, it’s the family service that really makes it what it is!
- Citrus Surf Café ($) – Start or end a day on the waves at Citrus Surf Café – both are a doozy (although it’s not for dawnies with that 11am opening time!). Fare is filling and casual. We’re talking big burgers with chips and Tex-Mex. In the earlier hours are some great breakfast deals that offer coffee and croissant at speed. Limited outdoor seating.
- New Bakery Café ($) – Crepes, mocha, latte and more in this downtown cafe, along with fantastic people watchin from the terrace out front. It’s a morning chill spot for us when the swell isn’t good.
Things to do when you’re not surfing in Corralejo
There are loads of ways to break up your Fuerteventura surf holiday. In Corralejo, you’ve got shimmering beaches (some of the best in the Canaries) and rugged mountains. Take a look at what to do when the waves aren’t pumping…
Dolphin watching
Drive down to Morro Jable to join a dolphin watching tour. It’s impressive stuff, with regular sightings of bottlenoses and turtles and loads of other cool creatures! Cost is about $40-50 per person and the tour lasts 1.5 hours. It’s one of the bucket-list activities of Fuerte.
Isla de Lobos
Regular boats leave for the Isla de los Lobos each morning. Aside from being the home of one of the most gnarly Corralejo surf spots of all (see above), it’s a beautiful place to explore for the day. Hiking trails crisscross the entire isle and you can discover some azure natural rock pools next to isolated lighthouses. Pretty cool stuff.
Laze on the beaches
Corralejo has its own top beaches, true. However, they tend to be among the most popular on Fuerteventura. To escape the crowds and see something special, head over to El Cotillo. It’s a small whitewashed clutch of tavernas and cottages in the west. And boy does it have some beaches! The best of them are right in the town centre, sporting cotton-white sand and water that’s pure turquoise blue.
We’re always looking for more info on the Corralejo surf and lifestyle. If you want to add anything to this guide or think we’ve got anything wrong – be sure to get in touch!
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
Joseph Richard Francis
Joe “Rich” Francis has been surfing for the best part of 15 years. He’s nowhere near as good as he should be at the end of all that, but hey ho. Born and bred in Swansea, South Wales (the current base of The Surf Atlas), Joe is a seasoned adventure travel writer with completed publications in the surf-travel and adventure-travel sphere for major publications like Lonely Planet and The Culture Trip.
