Jandia Natural Park in the south of Fuerteventura

Jandia Natural Park in the south of Fuerteventura, in the Canary Islands was declared a nature reserve in 1987.

It is located in the southern part of Fuerteventura in the municipality of Pajara with an area of ​​14,973 hectares.

Among other places belonging to this nature reserve, we can mention Costa Calma and Morro Jable .

The Jandia Natural Park presents a wild and uncontaminated landscape, rich in natural elements of great value.

The park includes a mountainous area of ​​volcanic origin, bordered to the northwest by white sandy beaches, and the rest of the coast is made up of rocky cliffs and other smaller beaches.

In these arid landscapes, rare vegetation can be seen, consisting of endemic species and numerous bird species.

The Jandia Natural Park offers a spectacular and ever-changing landscape that will leave you breathless.

All the structures built on the Jandia Peninsula were made by the German entrepreneur Gustav Winter, who had his own concession.

To then continue on the northern side, where the Pico de la Zarza stands out , the highest point above sea level.

The southern slope of this mountain range features gentle shapes and wide spaces with rounded hills, ridges and valleys.

The Jandia Massif

The Jandia massif rises gradually with a succession of volcanic flows separated by valleys and ravines, until its peak, the Pico de la Zarza.

The massif is the remnant of a large volcano that emerged from the sea and is covered by volcanic gravel called “Jable”.

The entire massif is covered with a volcanic gravel, called “jable”, which is a type of pozzolana.

In addition to Cofete beach , which offers the most spectacular views of all the Canary Islands, you can also admire Playa Esquinzo, Barlovento and other magical places.

It is possible to visit the Jandia massif on foot, starting from Morro Jable, after a walk of approximately 7 km.

This hike should only be done in good weather, as the winds can be very strong and fresh and the summit shrouded in fog.

Jandia Point and Jandia Lighthouse

One of the most spectacular parts of the Jandia Natural Park is: Punta de Jandia where on a clear day you can see the coast of Gran Canaria and the Jandia Lighthouse.

The Jandia Lighthouse also has a small café, which is not open all year round.

Here you can admire the beauty of Playa de los Ojos and its cave , the Winter villa , Punta Pesebre and its steep cliffs, which look like real sculptures.

The geological landscape becomes even more fascinating in Caleta de la Madera and Las Talahijas , an ancient village with very winding paths.

Flora and fauna

In addition to its landscape and geomorphological interest, the Jandia Natural Park is characterised by a rich flora and fauna, typical of the island of Fuerteventura.

Jandia Natural Park contains endemic plant species, some in danger of extinction, and protected animal species.

The symbol of the flora of the Jandia park remains the Jandia spurge , a species of cactus, typical only of this area.

Its fauna  includes almost 30 species of migratory birds, the green turtle, the Risso’s dolphin, and more, but the symbol remains the houbara bustard.

For this reason, in 1987 the Jandia Natural Park was declared a “special protection area for birds”.

The Jandia Park Centre, located in the lighthouse, provides all the information on the geology, flora, fauna and all the history of one of the most magical natural places in Fuerteventura.

Rules to follow at Jandia Natural Park

The entire island of Fuerteventura enchants every visitor with its pristine landscapes and is inhabited by unique ecosystems that fill the wild landscapes with life.

The low altitude of the territory and the trade winds prevailing all year round, prevent the clouds that cross the island from depositing the water they carry.

Since 2009, the entire island and the marine habitat surrounding it have been declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO,  a protection that concerns only a few exceptional places on the planet.

In Fuerteventura, a renowned  Starlight Reserve, you get the feeling of being closer to paradise as you watch the spectacle offered by the night sky.

A  Starlight Reserve  has the function of preserving the quality of the night sky and the various associated values, be they cultural, scientific, astronomical, landscape or natural.

It also has one or more central or exclusion zones where the natural lighting conditions and clarity of the night sky remain intact.

Jandia Natural Park is one of these precious places, where it is important to preserve nature and protect the environment.

The rules that must absolutely be respected are:

• Do not leave waste of any kind in the environment, including cigarette butts, using the appropriate bins.
• Do not throw any objects or waste of any kind into the sea.
• Respect the animals, do not disturb them and do not feed them.
• Do not collect or take away stones or any other elements from nature.
• In natural spaces and lookouts, do not leave the paths or spaces designated for the transit of people.
• Respect the historical and cultural heritage of the place, as well as the public furnishings and elements available to visitors such as information panels, telescopes and binoculars.