Playa de la Escalera - surfing, swimming & enjoying nature

Playa de la Escalera – the staircase beach on Fuerteventura: an idyllic natural beach for beach vacationers and surfers

We all agree that the best thing about FuerteventuraFuerteventurais its beaches and the crystal-clear Atlantic Ocean. Around 260 kilometers of coastline invite you to sunbathe, swim and surf. Many stretches of beach are covered with fine, light-colored sand. On the other Canary Islands, you will often only find black lava sand.

What can you expect?

Playa de la Escalera – A beach for surfers and beach lovers

Escalera Bay, also known as Playa de Aguila, is located around five kilometers from the fishing village of El Cotillo on the northwest coast of the island. For us, it is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island of Fuerteventura. Peace, relaxation and beauty await you here. Whether for nature lovers or beach vacationers. There is also plenty of action for surfers and water sports enthusiasts.

This natural, secluded, picturesque beach is located just outside El Cotillo and the descent in particular is quite “tricky”. A visit to Escalera Bay requires a little courage, as not everyone dares to descend the steep staircase with around 160 steps. The beach also owes its name to the rocky descent, as Playa de la Escalera translates into German as “stairway beach”.

However, this also has one major advantage: only a few tourists get lost here and you sometimes have the whole beach to yourself and are rewarded with idyllic nature and plenty of peace and quiet.

Playa de la Escalera – wide or narrow sandy beach

The beach itself is around 600 meters long and flows into a turquoise blue sea. The water is clear and clean. The seabed and the beach are covered with sand throughout, with only a few rocks in the water, which, together with the surrounding cliffs, give the overall picture a rugged touch. Once you have climbed the steps, you can walk along the beautiful beach at your leisure and enjoy the view of the waves and the shimmering emerald-turquoise water.

The beach is divided into a southern and a northern part. Playa de las Escaleras is a very changeable beach whose splendor depends heavily on the tides. It is therefore advisable to arrive at low tide, as the beach becomes quite narrow at high tide and loses much of its charm. On days with high tides, for example, you may only be able to reach the northern part at low tide and may have to wait through the water to get to your “own bay on the beach”.

The best way to get to Playa de la Escalera

The beach can only be reached via a gravel road along the coast. It takes about 15 minutes by car. You leave El Cotillo heading south and drive along the cliffs in the direction of Playa de Esquinzo, which awaits you about one kilometer to the south (behind the staircase beach) and is a popular surf spot.

Once you have completed the gravel path, you will find enough space to park your car. The bay is surrounded by mighty cliffs and offers completely natural scenery. You can also do a great wave check from above the cliff.

Playa de la Escalera – Beautiful, remote sandy beach suitable for surfing beginners

At the staircase beach you will find a good mix of waves and wind, which can be very good for surfers. Due to the seclusion and the effort of walking down the long staircase, this surf spot is often not crowded and you can have the beach to yourself. Playa de la Escalera is particularly suitable for beginners, as the waves here often break as a closeout.

For advanced surfers, on the other hand, the conditions are too unstable, although they can certainly get their money’s worth here on certain days of the year. In this case, it’s best to drop by when the beaches in El Cotillo are going well and see the conditions for yourself.

Playa de la Águila aka Playa Escalera is a great place to relax in the sun. Swimming is generally possible here and the path into the water is fun because there are no rocks or stones to get in the way. However, you should pay close attention to the waves and the current: There are no lifeguards on site and, as on many beaches in Fuerteventura, it can be really dangerous in the water in unfavorable conditions.

Dangers at Playa de la Escalera – falling rocks & downpours

Beware of falling rocks and other dangers – do not lie on the cliff!

Some beach visitors lie down directly on the many lava boulders, which are very close to the 20-metre-high cliff, to find a little shade or to be protected from the gaze of others. The sand here is fine and soft and it is sheltered from the wind.

Unfortunately, these boulders are not there on the beach for decoration, but larger stones and rocks regularly fall from the cliffs. As the likelihood of hitting one of these boulders on the head is not at all small, we would advise you to lie on the beach a little further away from the cliff. We hope you enjoy discovering Playa de la Escalera – the staircase beach!

Playa de la Escalera near El Cotillo: A few impressions from the surrounding area

Steps beach – Playa de la Escalera – water temperature and the right wetsuit

Playa de la Escalera is geographically and climatically close to the equator. This means that the water temperatures fluctuate significantly less throughout the year than on the coasts of mainland Europe.

The warmest temperatures can be found on the staircase beach between August and mid-November. At a pleasant 22 to 23 degrees. The great thing is that you can still go surfing in board shorts and lycra or neoprene shorts in the fall. As on the entire Canary Islands, the water temperatures reach their lowest point in February at 17-18 degrees. Here you need a 3/2 wetsuit, but you can also choose a 4/3 if you’re a bit of a frostbite.

For whom

Those seeking peace and quiet, individual vacationers and surfers feel particularly at home here.

Questions & answers about Esquinzo beach

Is it possible to reach Esquinzo beach by car?

Yes, there is a sand and gravel road that connects El Cotillo with Tindaya. Drive carefully, as the terrain is rocky and many sharp-edged stones could damage your tires. You can park on the cliffs above the beach. Don’t forget to apply the handbrake firmly. To reach the beach, you have to follow a small path and then climb down the cliff in two places.

Is it possible to practice nudism on Esquinzo beach?

Yes, Esquinzo beach is one of the most popular beaches for naturists, as it is located away from the tourist areas.

Is it possible to fish in Esquinzo Beach?

Yes, you can spearfish and fish here if you have the appropriate licenses.

Is it dangerous to swim at Esquinzo beach?

The entire west coast of Fuerteventura is dominated by strong waves. There may be currents here that you cannot see from the beach. Therefore, don’t stray too far from the shore and be extremely careful.

Is there a lifeguard service on Esquinzo beach?

No, there is no lifeguard service in Esquinzo. Also bear in mind that in the event of an accident, the fire department or other rescue services may have to travel several kilometers on unpaved roads or arrive by helicopter. Please do not put your life or the lives of others in danger.

Surfing at Playa del Esquinzo

If you are a surfer, please respect the local surfers on Esquinzo beach in particular and pull back once in a while. A smile will definitely get you further here than a scowl. On good days, it can get pretty crowded here and in summer it is often the only beach that is still running with the constant trade winds. As a result, you’ll find a lot of surfers here.

Is it possible to visit the Cueva de las Damas?

In the past, there was a path that led to the entrance of the cave. Nowadays, to visit the Cueva de las Damas, you have to descend with climbing equipment, as the path that used to give access to the cave has been removed.

Playa de la Escalera and other surf spots in our spotfinder

A powerful beach break, which unfortunately often comes up with close-outs when the swell gets overhead high or the tides are wrong for the sandbanks. The sandbanks improve towards the winter and can offer brilliant tuberide sections.

Takes swell from north to west. A good spot for beginners, but also offers great conditions for intermediates on certain days of the year. A great surf spot on Fuerteventura for anyone who wants to go surfing away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy nature.

Playa de la Escalera – Conditions