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If you’re visiting the northern part of Fuerteventura, you’ll have the opportunity to see the most beautiful beaches in El Cotillo. This charming fishing village has miles of coastline and lovely beaches for all kinds of travelers. There are many things to do in El Cotillo, but visiting its beaches is a must-do. Whether you want to immerse yourself in nature, practice some watersports, or stay close to town, there is an El Cotillo beach for you.
While there are many popular places to see in Fuerteventura, you can’t miss the fine white sand and crystal clear waters at El Cotillo. There are several great beaches to choose from, so in this guide, I’m sharing the 10 best beaches in El Cotillo, as well as what to expect from each one.
1. Playa Los Charcos, one of the best beaches in El Cotillo
First Playa Los Charcos is one of the best beaches in El Cotillo, specifically in the northern part of town. Since it’s on the outskirts, you’ll need a car to get there, but it’s worth it for the calm atmosphere and the natural, wild environment.
Compared to the more urban beaches of El Cotillo, Playa Los Charcos is super relaxing and looks like a slice of paradise. It’s actually a series of small beaches that stretch for about 2.5 miles. To get there, follow the main road to El Faro del Tostón, then follow the footpath to reach the beach.
1. Playa Los Charcos, one of the best beaches in El Cotillo
Something unique about this beach is that it has volcanic rock formations that create natural pools. La Caleta del Marrajo is the most well-known part of the beach, although every cove and lagoon here is worth visiting. Moreover, the waters are quite tranquil with practically no waves, so this is one of the best beaches in El Cotillo, Fuerteventura for families.
Finally, the coastline has a pristine virgin landscape, and you can even see the lighthouse from here. If you want to add some adventure to your trip, check out this trekking tour or this jeep excursion, both of which end at Los Charcos.
2. La Concha Beach, a white sand beach in El Cotillo, Fuerteventura
La Concha Beach is another famous El Cotillo beach that you should see. It’s right in town, so you can easily get to it, and if you’re traveling by car, you can keep your vehicle safe at the parking lot next to the beach.
Here, you’ll have all kinds of convenient services and amenities, including restaurants, beach bars, and lifeguards. For this reason, it’s one of the best beaches in Fuerteventura, especially if you’re visiting with kids.
2. La Concha Beach, a white sand beach in El Cotillo, Fuerteventura
Even though this beach in El Cotillo is very popular, it’s not usually crowded, so you should be able to find a spot to lay out your towel. Moreover, the turquoise waters are protected by reefs, so the waves are very calm. In fact, many divers come here to discover the beautiful coral-covered seabed. If you want to see it for yourself, you can find stalls offering snorkeling equipment rentals.
After a day of swimming and diving, head to one of the bars for a refreshing drink, then watch the sun go down and bathe the shoreline in a golden glow.
3. Castillo Beach, one of the best surfing beaches in El Cotillo
Another beach in El Cotillo that I recommend is Castillo Beach, which is just half a mile from the town center, so you can easily spend the day here. However, you should be aware that the road leading to this beach is quite rocky. As long as you’re careful, you shouldn’t have any problems getting here, and you can park the car right next to the beach.
Something I love about this El Cotillo beach is that it’s one of the wilder beaches, with a rustic environment where you can disconnect and immerse yourself in nature. The coastline stretches for about a mile, and the golden sand perfectly contrasts with the turquoise waters.
3. Castillo Beach, one of the best surfing beaches in El Cotillo
As a more remote beach, there aren’t any facilities or restaurants here, so I suggest planning your trip in advance and bringing everything you’ll need with you. Also, be careful if you go swimming because there are strong winds that can make the waves quite dangerous, and there are only lifeguards on duty during the summer.
That said, the wind conditions make Castillo Beach a favorite among those who practice watersports, particularly wind and kitesurfing. You can experience these activities for yourself with this surfing lesson or this windsurfing class.
4. Playa del Aljibe, one of the wildest El Cotillo beaches
Right next to Castillo Beach, you’ll find Playa del Aljibe (or Piedra Playa), another wild beach in El Cotillo. It’s a bit further south, so it’s a good alternative for those who prefer getting out of the urban center and escaping the tourist crowds, especially in the summer.
4. Playa del Aljibe, one of the wildest El Cotillo beaches
Playa del Aljibe is only about 1,300 feet long, but it’s very pretty, and a great place to go whether you want to practice watersports or sunbathe by the sea. The golden sand and turquoise waters attract lots of young people, many of whom bring their surfboards to ride the waves. While you can bring your equipment here (there aren’t any rental services), most of the sports fanatics here are skilled surfers. If you want to go surfing or windsurfing, I recommend going to one of the other El Cotillo beaches.
Moreover, part of this beach’s attraction comes from the impressive cliffs and dunes surrounding it, which is why the coast is relatively untouched. However, this also means that it’s a bit difficult to get here since you have to navigate a steep slope with some rocks.
5. Playa del Águila, a beach in El Cotillo with spectacular cliffs
Next is Playa del Águila, one of my favorite beaches in El Cotillo, Fuerteventura. The first time I visited this beach, I was captivated by its spectacular cliffs and wild beauty. Now, whenever we return to Fuerteventura, we make it a point to stop here and appreciate the rustic environment.
5. Playa del Águila, a beach in El Cotillo with spectacular cliffs
Also known as “The Beach of the Stairs”, Playa del Águila is completely dependent on the tides, so if you visit during high tide, the sandy coast will be submerged. Remember to check the tide times before coming here!
If you decide to visit, you’ll have to drive to La Escalera, where you can park your car. Then, follow the long staircase down to the refreshing waters. Keep in mind that this El Cotillo beach is usually windy, so if go swimming, be very careful. Also, if you want to go surfing or kitesurfing, this is a great place to do so, and you might see some people practicing these sports here.
6. Los Lagos, another idyllic beach in El Cotillo, Fuerteventura
Los Lagos is another El Cotillo beach that I recommend visiting during your time on Fuerteventura. It’s in the center of town, close to several accommodation options in Fuerteventura, so it’s one of the most convenient beaches to get to.
6. Los Lagos, another idyllic beach in El Cotillo, Fuerteventura
Los Lagos features a wide expanse of white sand and crystal clear waters, as well as a beautiful coral reef that protects it from strong waves and currents. For this reason, it’s one of the best beaches in El Cotillo where you can go snorkeling and witness the diverse marine life. To do this, you can bring your own equipment or book one of the top tours in Fuerteventura to explore the sea with a professional guide.
Although this is one of the busiest beaches in El Cotillo, it’s usually not too crowded, so you can come here for a relaxing day by the ocean. It’s also a nice place to bring the kids since the waves are calm and there are lifeguards and other services. Moreover, Los Lagos is just a few feet from the area’s restaurants, shops, and markets, so you can comfortably spend the day here.
7. Playa Punta Blanca, the best El Cotillo beach for watersports
Further north, between Majanicho and the Tostón Lighthouse, you’ll find Playa Punta Blanca, one of the most remote beaches in El Cotillo. To get here, drive to the Ribiera Norte area (which has gorgeous cliffs and panoramic views), then take the dirt road to Punta Blanca.
7. Playa Punta Blanca, the best El Cotillo beach for watersports
This is another popular El Cotillo beach among the surfer crowd since the waves are very good. Surfers of all skill levels come here, so you’ll fit in, even if you’re just a beginner. Of course, if sports aren’t your thing, you’ll still love strolling along the white sand beach and admiring the surrounding volcanic landscapes.
8. Esquinzo Beach, an amazing beach in El Cotillo with volcanic sand
Esquinzo Beach is located in the southern part of El Cotillo, Fuerteventura, and it’s the last beach along the road to Tindaya. If you come here, you’ll be close to the Sacred Mountain of Tindaya, one of the must-see volcanoes in Fuerteventura.
This beach in El Cotillo gets its name from the Barranco de Esquinzo, a river that meets the ocean at Esquinzo Beach. In addition, this area is quite isolated and quiet, so it differs from many other beaches in town.
8. Esquinzo Beach, an amazing beach in El Cotillo with volcanic sand
Given its remote location near a volcano, there are lots of legends and stories surrounding Esquinzo Beach, many of which reference its alleged magical properties. This is the site where the original inhabitants of the island performed their special rituals, so it’s a mesmerizing and intriguing place.
Also, since this wild paradise is far from the hustle and bustle, it’s rarely visited. This means you can enjoy its golden sand, turquoise waters, and black volcanic rocks in total privacy. It’s also one of the best nudist beaches in El Cotillo, Fuerteventura, since it’s surrounded by rocky cliffs that conceal it from prying eyes.
9. Playa Beatriz, another great beach in El Cotillo for watersports
Next, Playa Beatriz is a lovely El Cotillo beach to visit for a local experience since it attracts more town residents than tourists. While the signs to get here aren’t super clear, you should be able to find this beach without any problems. Besides, this is one of the few beaches in Fuerteventura where you can camp.
Once you drive to the beach’s parking lot, you’ll have to walk about 650 feet to the coast. The footpath leading to the sea is covered in fine sand, so it’s soft on your feet and easy to navigate. As you make your way to the end, you’ll see beautiful black rocks, which provide a striking contrast against the clear blue waters.
9. Playa Beatriz, another great beach in El Cotillo for watersports
In addition, the waves at Playa Beatriz are calm and the waters are shallow, so you can spend a day here as a family without any worries. Just be sure to bring all the things you’ll need for the day with you since there aren’t any shops or restaurants nearby.
If you have snorkeling equipment or can rent it in town, bring it with you, because the seabed here is gorgeous, and you won’t want to miss seeing all the different fish species.
10. Playa de Marfolín, the most impressive natural beach in El Cotillo, Fuerteventura
Finally, Playa de Marfolín is a popular beach in El Cotillo, Fuerteventura among nature lovers, thanks to its pretty scenery, clean sand, and clear waters. At the same time, it’s close to town, so you can easily get here even if you don’t have a car.
Overall, this beach has a calm atmosphere, but the waves can be quite strong, so you should be careful if you go swimming. There aren’t any lifeguards on duty, and the tides change throughout the day, so it’s not the best place for children.
10. Playa de Marfolín, the most impressive natural beach in El Cotillo, Fuerteventura
That said, many people visit this El Cotillo beach year-round since it’s a relaxing coastal area by the urban center. Given its proximity to town, it’s close to a wide range of restaurants where you can try the best typical Canarian dishes.
After a delicious lunch, return to the beach and marvel at the beautiful seabed, which boasts a variety of marine life.
With that, you have the 10 best beaches in El Cotillo. All that’s left to do is offer you this map of El Cotillo, Fuerteventura, and all the beaches and lagoons I mentioned.
Of course, if you have any questions, or you’d like to share your experience visiting one of these El Cotillo beaches, leave me a comment below. I’d love to hear from you.
Until then, enjoy your beach holiday!
