El Cotillo surfing beach - surfing, swimming and relaxing

The surfing beach of El Cotillo is one of the most beautiful beaches here on Fuerteventura

Surfing beach at El Cotillo on Fuerteventura

Surfing on the island of Fuerteventura is a dream, especially on the surfing beach of El Cotillo! The Canary Island and Cotillo are a true surfer’s paradise and are also great for families and beach vacationers.

When talking about the highlights of Fuerteventura, you probably start with the perfect waves, the miles of white sandy beaches and the pleasantly warm water temperatures all year round. These dream attributes are followed by beautiful turquoise blue water, the different colored reefs of the North Shore and the fresh sea air.

Tourist Activity

slightly more tourists

Active or relaxed?

 

activities and events relaxation

Dwell time

 

1 min – 8 hours

What can you expect?

great place for photos toller ort fuer familien swim guter surfspot great view

el cotillo surfer beach

El Cotillo surfing beach– a beach for surfers and beach lovers

The natural beaches of El Cotillo in the northwest of Fuerteventura are considered excellent spots in surfing circles. But beach lovers also appreciate the long, bright Cotillo sandy beaches with their unique atmosphere.

What else could make a surfer’s heart beat faster? Thanks to the perfect location in the middle of the Atlantic, hardly a day goes by here without a surfable wave. There is something for every level and every taste. The long beaches on the west coast in particular offer good surfing conditions almost all year round.

The surfing beach of El Cotillo often offers great conditions for beginners, especially for beginners. Beginners can try out their first attempts in the white water almost every day and continue to hone their technique.

 

For advanced surfers, the days with offshore wind and smaller swell are particularly interesting. It works particularly well with swell from the west and wind from the east, as well as with incoming and outgoing tides.

What you should not forget, apart from surfing, is that kitesurfers, windsurfers, swimmers, bathers, beach lovers, sandcastle builders, walkers and snorkelers also get their money’s worth here.

surf beach of el cotillo view

El Cotillo surfing beach: the best way to get there …

What can you say about El Cotillo, the village next to the El Cotillo surfing beach? It is a sleepy little fishing village with its own charm. Cotillo has a harbor and a few restaurants.

El Cotillo has a very original feel and this simplicity is fascinating. Nobody knows stress here, the clocks tick slower than usual and so it can happen that you stand at the supermarket checkout for 15 minutes because the cashier is having a chat with an elderly lady in front of you.

Nevertheless, tourism has long since taken over the village of Cotillo and there are small hotels and many apartment complexes.

The long sandy beach can be reached by car via a short gravel road at the western end of the village. There are plenty of parking spaces above the cliff. You can also do a great wave check from there.

If you live in El Cotillo, the beach is also within easy walking distance.

    Structure and special features of the El Cotillo surfing beach

    Piedra Playa, the surfing beach with its steep coastline, begins south of the small fishing village. The conditions here are exactly what you need to learn to surf. The surfing beach in El Cotillo is a beach break with a sandy bottom that offers both right and left-hand waves. The beach is divided into 4 smaller sections. One is called Piedra Playa, which is framed by a mighty steep cliff. Surfers talk about the first, second and third bays, as well as Playa Ultima, the last section of the beach. The water is incredibly clear and the colors are best experienced here on site.

    Above on the cliff, between the first and second bay, is the lifeguard house. The lifeguards and “lifeguards” working there are responsible for safety on the beach during their working hours (which depend on the season). You can tell whether the lifeguard station is currently manned by the flags. If flags are flying on the beach and at the hut, the lifeguards are on duty.

    flag system beach

     

    The flag system works like a traffic light:

    • Red flag – Attention, danger to life!

    If the red flag is flying on the beach, you should not go into the water under any circumstances. Even if you are an experienced swimmer, the conditions are not suitable for swimming. If you go into the water despite the red flags, you are putting yourself and others in serious danger. For example, a strong current can endanger swimmers. As a rule, the lifeguards know the beach in question very well and know why they are issuing a ban. Even at knee height, strong currents can be dangerous and should therefore never be underestimated. With an object that gives you buoyancy, such as a surfboard or bodyboard, you are theoretically allowed in the water even when the red flag is flying. However, it is better to find out about the conditions beforehand.

    • Yellow flag – Be vigilant!

    If you see a yellow flag on the beach, this means that you can swim in the water at your own risk. On beaches with a yellow flag, it is advisable that older people, children and inexperienced swimmers refrain from swimming or at least stay close to the shore.

    • Green flag – Does not really have any significance!

    The water may seem calm and inviting for a swim, but you shouldn’t rely on it. Look out for a lifeguard at such beaches for safety reasons and don’t let your children go into the water unsupervised!

    If something does happen, you can call the international emergency number 112 for help!

    El Cotillo surfing beach: a few impressions from the surrounding area

    El Cotillo surfing beach Surf spots

    El Cotillo surfing beach – water temperature and the right wetsuit

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

    The warmest temperatures can be found on the surfing beach of El Cotillo 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.

    Best time to travel

    All year round; up to 21°C in winter, up to 29°C in summer; water temperature up to 22°C; very dry in summer

    Price level

    The price level in the fishing village of El Cotillo is average.

    For whom

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

    surfing on the surfing beach of el cotillo

    El Cotillo surfing beach – Our description in the Spotfinder

    El Cotillo’s surfing beach is a very powerful beach break, which unfortunately often has close-outs if the swell gets too big or if you check the waves at the wrong time. The sandbanks improve towards winter and can offer brilliant tuberid sections, especially in offshore winds the beach can take on Indonesian characteristics. The beach break picks up swell from north to west. A good intermediate spot with small swell and offshore, otherwise the spot is ideal for beginners with great white water conditions.

     

    EL COTILLO

    el cotillo