Playa de Sotavento de Jandía

Playa de Sotavento de Jandía (Pájara, Fuerteventura)

On the southeast coast of the Jandía peninsula, in the municipality of Pájara, lies one of the longest and most recognisable beaches in Fuerteventura. Playa de Sotavento de Jandía strings together nearly nine kilometres of fine, pale sand between Costa Calma and Morro Jable, in an open landscape of dunes and Atlantic sea that has made it a world reference for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Its name describes its character well: "sotavento" refers to the leeward side, sheltered from the prevailing wind, which gives much of its shoreline a unique appearance within the island's catalogue of beaches.

The tidal lagoon, the star attraction

Sotavento's most celebrated feature is the lagoon that forms with the play of the tides. A sandbar off the shore holds back the water when the tide goes out and creates a shallow turquoise mirror that can reach several kilometres in length. It is a spectacular setting for photography, for walking over the sheet of water or for cooling off without needing to swim in deep water. It is worth remembering that the lagoon changes completely throughout the day: what at midday is a ford of a few centimetres can, hours later, be covered by the rising tide.

World capital of windsurfing and kitesurfing

Sotavento owes its international fame to the combination of constant trade winds, shallow water in the lagoon area and an endless beach. Every year it hosts a round of the Windsurfing and Kiteboarding World Championship, an event that brings together elite athletes and enthusiasts from all over the planet. The lagoon works as an ideal classroom for beginners, while the more open sections, with stronger wind and waves, are reserved for experienced riders. At the access points, especially in the La Barca area, schools and equipment rental centres operate during the season.

Safety in the water

This is not a calm bathing beach as a whole. Although the inner lagoon is shallow and sheltered, on the stretches open to the ocean the wind and currents can be intense, especially on rough-sea days. Surveillance is not guaranteed along its entire length, so it is essential to assess the state of the sea, not stray far from the shore, watch children closely and always respect the warnings and flags. If you are looking for a safe dip, the lagoon at low tide is the most prudent option.

Services and how to get there

• Access: via the FV-2 road between Costa Calma and Morro Jable, with several signposted turn-offs (Risco del Paso is one of the most used).

• Parking: there are parking areas next to the main entry points.

• Dining: seasonal beach bars and services at some access points; on several stretches there is nothing, so bring water and sun protection.

• Sports: windsurf and kitesurf schools and rentals, mainly at La Barca.

• Protected setting: it is part of a natural area of great value (dunes and salt marsh), included in the Natura 2000 Network as a Special Area of Conservation.

More information on the official portal of Visit Jandía and in the tourist guide of Hola Islas Canarias.