Corralejo Dunes Natural Park

The Corralejo Dunes Natural Park has been a protected area of ​​Fuerteventura since 1982, consisting of a huge expanse of white sand that merges with the blue of the ocean.

This nature reserve situated at Corralejo covers an area of ​​26.69 square kilometers and includes:

• The dune system, called El Jable
• The lava flow called Montana de Los Apartaderos  
• The crater of Montaña Roja at 312 m altitude, separated from the dunes by the Barranco de Las Pilas

The dunes of the Corralejo Park merge with spectacular beaches, creating idyllic places for anyone who chooses it for their holiday.

The park is made up of active dunes that move with the northeast trade winds, always present on the island of Fuerteventura, creating spectacular and ever-changing landscapes.

The large dunes of white Caribbean sand of the Corralejo Dunes Natural Park blend with the thousand shades of the ocean’s colours, giving life to unique landscapes.

The Dunes of Corralejo are beautiful at all hours, but at sunset they offer enchanting landscapes with a special light and warm shades of colors.

 

Flora, fauna and archaeology 

The flora of the Corralejo Natural Park is a habitat for 18 protected endemic plant species, all perfectly adapted to the dunes in adverse conditions.

Instead, the fauna of this park  includes 17 animal species, including seabirds, reptiles and invertebrates, a special protection area for birds.

The dunes are composed of 90% organic material, formed by the pulverization of shells of molluscs and other marine organisms.

Legend has it that the sand that makes up the Corralejo Dunes Natural Park was transported by winds from the Sahara thousands of years ago.

Several studies conducted on the composition of the sand, however, have found that the sand of the Corralejo dunes is different from that of the Sahara desert.

The dunes of Corralejo would have been formed thanks to the erosion of the ocean and the winds that constantly blow, transforming shells and marine organisms into many small grains.

 

The beaches of Corralejo Natural Park

The beaches of the Corralejo Dunes Natural Park are the most beautiful in all of Fuerteventura and the largest in all of the Canary Islands.

A very long coastline of heavenly beaches, caressed by the turquoise and emerald waters of the ocean are a true paradise for total relaxation.

The expanses of white sand under the dazzling sunlight transform these beaches into an authentic spa with enchanting views of Lobos island and Lanzarote.

The beaches in the northern area of ​​the Corralejo Natural Park are long, well-equipped and more touristy, while going south they are smaller and wilder.

El Pozo beach is 450 meters long and its golden sand comes from the dunes, not very crowded and frequented by nudists and surf lovers.

It is a wild beach, very quiet and solitary, with rough water and quite windy, but there are several corralitos to shelter from the wind and enjoy the sun.

Flag Beach, a beach with a breathtaking landscape, Caribbean white sand and turquoise waters, a true paradise, especially for lovers of water sports.

On this pristine beach you feel like you are surrounded by endless sand dunes and the constant wind is perfect for windsurfing, surfing and kitesurfing.

El Médano beach, a 700m long beach surrounded by fine golden sand that meets the breathtaking colors of the ocean.

A very quiet beach, where you can practice nudism, but very wild and like almost all the beaches of Fuerteventura, there are no services.

 

Other beaches of the Natural Park 

Grandes Playas is the most beautiful beach in the Corralejo Natural Park, a heavenly place for those looking to enjoy the sea, the sun and relaxation.

A 9 km long coast of Caribbean white sand, the shades of colors of the ocean from turquoise to emerald, enchant everyone with an extraordinary beauty.

Viejo beach is perhaps the most beautiful beach, with white sand and turquoise waters, with a breathtaking view of Los Lobos Island.

It is located in front of the Hotel Riu Palace and is frequented mainly by those staying there, it is not very chaotic and you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas.

Bajo Negro beach is the most touristic beach, as there are several services: bars, restaurants, sports areas, sunbed rental and showers.

On this beach the Caribbean sand and the turquoise waters of the ocean make it magical and unmissable, especially with the lights and colors of the sunset.

Dormidero beach, 400 m long with a stunning landscape of dunes, is a very quiet beach with fine golden sand, calm waters and moderate wind.

The beach is ideal for families with small children, there are no services on the beach, so it is advisable to bring everything you need.

At the same time it is frequented by nudists, as it is a quiet and secluded place to relax and enjoy the wild and uncontaminated nature of the island.

El Moro beach, also called Playa Alzada , is a little corner of paradise in Fuerteventura, capable of enchanting everyone with its immense beauty.

This beach offers a postcard view with white sand and turquoise waters, quite small and there are no beach services.

 

How to get to the Corralejo Dunes Natural Park?

Starting from the capital of Fuerteventura, Puerto del Rosario, take the FV-1 towards FV-104 following Corralejo for 23.3 km approximately 25 minutes.

Once you enter FV-104, continue straight on towards Parque Holandes and then there are signs as soon as you enter the Corralejo Natural Park.

The road to reach the Corralejo Dunes is completely paved and crosses the dunes along the sea, offering enchanting and very suggestive landscapes.

Permitted uses 

• Access and transit on foot along the marked paths
• Circulation of bicycles and vehicles on the delimited sections
• Pedestrian traffic along the beaches

Prohibited uses 

• Camping and fire lighting
• The installation of advertising posters
• Transit with pets
• Building with stones
• Damage or extract material of geological and biological value
• Dumping of waste, storage or abandonment of materials
• The use of vehicles outside of authorised places
• Livestock and hunting activities
• Walking off the authorized trails
• Crustacean and mollusc fishing
• All activities that modify the profile of the dunes

Recommendations for the visit 

• Do not leave waste of any kind
• Wear sunscreen and carry water
• Respect the regulations and signs of the Natural Park