There’s nothing like a wet day to in search of the closest winter solar holidays, particularly within the Canary Islands – and with so many issues to do in Fuerteventura with youngsters, it’s an excellent guess for households year-round.
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The Canary Islands have been considered one of our common locations for household holidays – my daughter’s first ever journey was to Lanzarote, we’ve additionally explored Gran Canaria whereas I’ve been to Tenerife a number of instances, so I’m already offered on the thought of Fuerteventura with youngsters.
So why select Fuerteventura, the second greatest of the Canary Islands? In addition to nice villas and lodges which received’t break the financial institution, plus fabulous meals even on a price range, that is what’s tempting me to e book a vacation, with my decide of the most effective issues to do in Fuerteventura with youngsters.
Benefit from the nice climate
Common temperatures of 24C in Fuerteventura in October are blissful in comparison with the UK… and by February, when London’s common excessive is about 8C, I typically really feel like I haven’t seen daylight for about 100 years.
You might be unfortunate with cool and wet days, even off the coast of Africa, and Fuerteventura – because the identify (‘robust winds‘) suggests – is a windy island. Should you’re taking a look at summer time holidays to Fuerteventura, that does cool the solar down properly although.
Hit the seashores
Is it a correct winter solar vacation with youngsters in case you don’t go to the seaside? And in addition to having the longest seashores within the Canaries, there are 152 of them throughout the island.
Fuerteventura’s seashores are perfect for youngsters too – a number of the finest seashores have very shallow waters reminiscent of Playa del Castillo at Caleta de Fuste and Playa del Matorral within the south of the island, in addition to the gorgeous calm waters of Playa La Concha close to El Cotillo.
Should you’re in search of concepts of extra adventurous issues to do in Fuerteventura for youths than sandcastles, it’s additionally an excellent location for water sports activities like windsurfing and kite browsing, due to the winds – splendid for teenagers and energetic tweens who need some extra thrilling actions than sandcastle constructing.
Playa de Sotavento, surrounded by sand dunes, is one great spot, whereas clambering on the sand dunes of Corralejo Pure Park would undoubtedly be a success with my daughter too – it’s additionally the location of the island’s annual kite pageant.
Costa Calma seaside is one other great spot in case you’re in search of a surf lesson or to attempt windsurfing, plus loads of white sand and the crystal clear waters you’ll be able to anticipate round Fuerteventura.
You may as well e book youngsters and household surf classes with one of many island’s surf faculties – the seashores fluctuate relying on the climate situations, however they’re all chosen for his or her light waves, good for learners
Or for one thing slightly completely different, try Morro Jable – 4km of attractive seaside with turquoise waters, a string of outlets lining the seaside and the Jandia salt marshes behind.
Go to Acua Water Park
This large water park in Fuerteventura is the one water park on the island. Beforehand known as Baku, Acua Water Park is ready in Corralejo, with wave pool and a youngsters’s splash pool in addition to extra thrilling water slides and rides.
There’s loopy golf as nicely, which my daughter loves (and is impressively good at) plus 10-pin bowling in case you don’t need to spend all day within the water.
It’s open from April for the principle summer time season till across the finish of October/early November, so in case you’re contemplating visiting Fuerteventura in February half-term, that’s one to save lots of for subsequent time although.
You possibly can purchase tickets on-line in addition to tickets with free cancellation
Take a ship journey
We’ve taken boat journeys in Gran Canaria as we cruised alongside the coast to Puerto Mogan and now my daughter’s older, I’d like to attempt one of many dolphin and whale recognizing journeys in Fuerteventura.
This 90-minute dolphin recognizing journey is appropriate for age 3 years previous and above, whereas there’s additionally a two-hour dolphin recognizing tour with drinks – or this longer dolphin-spotting cruise contains time to snorkel and a spot of tapas as nicely.
You possibly can mix the prospect to see dolphins with a visit to Isla de Lobos too: this selection helps you to spend round 5 hours out on the water, snorkelling and kayaks included (in addition to lunch!), whereas a glass-bottomed catamaran journey can also be tempting. Watch fish via the glass base earlier than heading into the water to snorkel.
There’s the Oceanarium Explorer glass bottomed submarine as nicely however that has extra combined critiques (and I’m at all times reluctant to advocate swimming with sealions) however it appears one other widespread choice.
Should you favor a somewhat completely different household enjoyable expertise, there’s additionally a four-hour Pirate Crusing Journey aboard the Pedra Sartaña pirate boat – as you sail alongside the coasts of the Pure Park, you’ll be able to study the hoist the sails, tie knots and even get behind the wheel. Anticipate loads of video games, and water actions together with swinging off the aspect of the boat – way more enjoyable than strolling the plank. They’re additionally licensed whale and dolphin watchers so that you would possibly nonetheless spot some throughout your pirate cruise.
See Isla de Lobos
In addition to the boat journeys round Fuerteventura and close to Isla de Lobos, it’s tempting to go to Lobos island itself.
A nature reserve since 1982, there are not any everlasting inhabitants – the identify ‘Wolves Island’ comes from the monk seals that when lived right here, referred to as sea wolves.
There are strolling trails all around the island, or you’ll be able to sit back on Playa de la Concha, a small sheltered lagoon with a sandy seaside. Carry every thing you’ll want for a day exploring (or lounging on La Concha seaside) as there are not any outlets to pop to when you’re there.
There’s a speedy water taxi – waterproof bag suggested for this 15 minute journey – or you’ll be able to take the ferry for a barely extra sedate journey that takes about the identical period of time.
Head to Oasis Wildlife Fuerteventura
Animals are at all times a success with my daughter and whereas this Fuerteventura zoo isn’t the most cost effective round, there’s a formidable quantity to see – plus it’s the one animal park on the island.
Together with flamingos, hippos, monkeys and giraffes, plus birds, reptiles and sea lions, you can too be part of a camel safari (for an additional charge) and trip via the palm groves outdoors the park in addition to an choice to fulfill the lemurs (once more, for an additional charge).
There’s additionally a botanical backyard hooked up with over 2,300 varieties of cacti and free buses run to the park, not removed from La Lajita.
There’s a deal with schooling and conservation at Oasis Wildlife (beforehand referred to as Oasis Park Zoo), in addition to a piece on ethics on the web site, which is reassuring to see as nicely.
You possibly can purchase entrance tickets with free cancellation, together with choices together with the camel trip
Uncover Fuerteventura’s wild aspect
On each Canary Island I’ve visited, I like getting away from the vacationer resorts on the coast to find the wilder aspect – the volcanic landscapes of Lanzarote, the black sands and luxurious inexperienced north of Tenerife (to not point out its personal volcano), and the mountainous inside of Gran Canaria.
Fuerteventura is barely round 60 miles lengthy and below 20 miles large, and solely takes two hours to drive from finish to finish, so you might rent a automotive to discover the island’s quiet roads – there are extra goats than individuals right here.
You possibly can even take a tour with goats as you head off the overwhelmed monitor, discovering areas the place goat herders nonetheless dwell and getting an opportunity to feed them (after which having some goat cheese in return). The five-hour trek is barely appropriate for older youngsters, aged 9+.
Uncover the historic city of Betancuria, its white buildings sitting within the shadow of the mountains, or secluded stretches of sand like Juan Gomez seaside in the direction of the south-western tip of the island.
I like the thought of discovering the standard windmills dotted round too – apparently these that are one storey excessive are ‘feminine’, known as molinas, and the two-storey variations are ‘male’ referred to as molinos, with tons close to the oldest village on Fuerteventura known as Antigua.
There may be automotive rental at Fuerteventura’s airport however you can too lease vehicles in many of the main vacationer centres if you wish to do a day journey.
Should you don’t fancy driving in any respect, there are day excursions to discover – this off-road tour of Fuerteventura is unquestionably on my record, heading to Jandia Nationwide Park and stopping at one of many island’s secluded seashores.
Should you’re planning to rent a automotive to discover Fuerteventura, I’m an enormous fan of Zest Automobile Rental or you can too evaluate charges at Uncover Vehicles
Discover the Ajuy Caves (Cuevas de Ajuy)
The Canary Islands’ volcanic previous nonetheless shapes them as we speak, whether or not that’s the blackened panorama of Lanzarote or Mount Teide on Tenerife – and the identical goes for Fuerteventura, which has a collection of caves to find.
The Ajuy Caves are a part of Betancuria Rural Park they usually’re the oldest formations within the islands, so strolling inside is like stepping again into Fuerteventura’s previous. In a wierd twist of geology, some elements of the caves are older than the island itself, courting again 100 million years (whereas Fuerteventura is barely round 30 million years previous).
On the stroll to the caves, you’ll be able to see fossilised sand dunes and blowholes within the rocks, earlier than discovering the rock formations and tunnels of the caves, with some deep swimming pools inside.
Set on the western coast of Fuerteventura, they’re round 5 miles from Pájara, and a brief stroll from the black sand Ajuy seaside – robust currents imply this black sand seaside isn’t an excellent place to swim with youngsters although, as you’ll inform from the ocean crashing across the rocks on the entrance to the caves.
Visiting the caves isn’t an excellent choice with toddlers and younger youngsters, however enjoyable for older youngsters: do put on smart footwear somewhat than flipflops and remember it’s a windy stroll on this aspect of the island. Should you time your go to for near sundown, it’s among the best locations in Fuerteventura to look at it dip beneath the horizon.
Climb Calderon Hondo
This extinct volcano within the north of the island is one other reminder of the Canary Island’s volcanic previous, and you’ll nonetheless go to the caldera as we speak.
It’s not the one one on the island, however it’s one of the vital accessible for households – you climb a stone path to achieve the highest at 278m above sea degree, the place there’s a viewing platform to look proper down into the 70m deep crater.
At this peak, it may be windy, so when you can stroll across the crater, it’s not really useful with youngsters (and never for adults if there’s robust wind both). Should you’re visiting within the hotter months, there’s no shade so it’s finest to go to early within the day or later within the afternoon, although do test the sundown instances.
There’s parking at Camino Calderas, with the stone path ranging from right here – the final part of street resulting in the automotive park may be very rocky, so remember in case you’ve received a rent automotive (until it’s a 4×4).
See the Salt Museum, Salinas del Carmen
Fuerteventura’s Salt Museum, or Museo de la Sal, sits proper beside the salt pans of El Carmen, within the space the place the island’s first salt fields have been constructed centuries in the past.
Salt farming has lengthy been a practice throughout the Canary Islands, with an exhibition sharing data on how salt was extracted from the ocean water. After trying out the shows, you’ll be able to stroll via the salt fields, that are nonetheless in operation, to see the standard strategies in observe – plus there’s a store the place you should buy the completed product too.
The museum is just not removed from Caleta de Fuste, there’s additionally an enormous whale skeleton outdoors the whitewashed museum constructing.
Try Puerto del Rosario sculpture park
Should you’re passing Fuerteventura’s small capital, Puerto del Rosario, on the island’s east coast, it’s nicely price stopping to discover.
Changing Betancuria because the capital in 1860, the small fishing village has grown over the previous 150 years however you’ll be able to nonetheless discover its previous city, with buildings courting again to the early nineteenth century.
Alongside the way in which, look out for the sculptures dotted round – whereas it’s known as the Sculpture Park, there isn’t only one single location to discover, as loads are set in numerous parks, alongside varied promenades and in the midst of roundabouts.
There are tons to see across the port although, together with ones impressed by the island’s goats and whales. Preserve an eye fixed out for the city’s murals too, a part of an initiative began in 2011, with a whole bunch now brightening up its streets.
Close by Playa Blanca seaside – to not be confused with its namesake in Lanzarote – is one other pretty seaside to calm down on or benefit from the water actions too.
Go to Lanzarote
The 2 islands are so shut that I’ve seen Fuerteventura after we’ve stayed in Playa Blanca on Lanzarote – I’ve contemplated taking the ferry to Fuerteventura fairly a couple of instances however have by no means fairly managed to.
So whereas there’s loads to entertain on Fuerteventura for youths, I like the thought of a fast hop again with the ferry to Playa Blanca, wandering alongside the waterfront with the seaside on one aspect and eating places on the opposite – you’ll be able to see a few of my favorite locations to eat in Playa Blanca with youngsters right here and there’s loads to tempt the entire household.
Or additional down is Marina Rubicon with its market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. The crossing takes round 30-45 minutes with three to 4 boats per day.
With a number of corporations working between the islands, you’ll be able to evaluate ferry costs from Fuerteventura to Lanzarote on the Ferryhopper web site to search out the most cost effective day journey from Fuerteventura
Planning a household vacation in Fuerteventura
Should you’re in search of low-cost flights to Fuerteventura, there are some nice choices from the UK, particularly in case you’re in search of a bundle deal.
In addition to TUI and Jet2, you can too discover a number of the low-cost airways with flights to Fuerteventura from the UK, together with easyJet out of Gatwick and Ryanair from Stansted – though after my final expertise, personally I’m not satisfied that exact airline will high my very own private record…
There’s additionally a large alternative of family-friendly lodges in Fuerteventura if you wish to e book independently, in addition to villas and self-catering flats to select from.
For extra concepts, try my information to the Canary Islands with youngsters
*First printed 2019, final up to date 2023*
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Disclosure: This put up incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee. All opinions about visiting Fuerteventura with youngsters are my very own, together with the truth that sunshine is important by the point it’s February.
Photographs courtesy Depositphotos
