The 7 Best El Cotillo Beaches – For Surfers & Non-Surfers
There’s a reason that the little town of El Cotillo is now pretty much the go-to surf town in Fuerteventura. Well…it’s between this one and Corralejo out on the western coast, which is more built-up, more resorty. You take your pick.
Personally, I like the more rustic, off-beat vibes of Cotillo. Plus, I LOVE the beaches. Because it’s sat on the western coast, there’s way more exposure to the NW and W Atlantic swells than the dune-backed beaches of Corralejo. That means the surf is more consistent but the beaches also look different.
Near town, you’ve got what’s known as the lagoon beaches – a series of about 10 coves shaped like lovely conch shells. They don’t get waves because there’s an outer reef that protects, but they do offer ultra-still water that’s like swimming pool level of blue. Seriously.
As you head north or south, things get wilder, rockier, but also emptier. These are the surf beaches of El Cotillo. We’ll look at those first, then check out the best beaches for chilling with a book and a towel.
>>Get more info on surf spots in Fuerteventura right here
The best beaches for surfing around El Cotillo
Piedra Playa
Piedra Playa is the headline act for surfers in El Cotillo. It’s a broad, raw stretch of golden sand backed by rugged cliffs with almost constant swell thanks to the dominant Atlantic NW channel.
It’s about a five-minute drive south from town (you’ll need your own car), and parking is easy on the cliffs above. There are no services here – no bars, no lifeguards – just a wild Atlantic setting that feels far from the tourist scene – especially if you’ve just come over from southern Fuerte or Corralejo!
Swimmers should take care, as the currents can be fierce, and the beach shelves quickly into deep water. But for surfers and sunset watchers, this is Fuerteventura at its best: vast, unspoiled, and properly elemental.
The surf? Piedra Playa is a shifting beach break that offers multiple peaks along its length. It works on mid to high tide, mainly from the northwest, with lefts and rights that can be punchy and hollow when it’s big. In summer, it mellows out into longboardable walls. It’s not for total beginners, but intermediates will love it.
Playa del Castillo
Technically this one is just the northern end of Piedra Playa, but Playa del Castillo feels a little more accessible. You can reach it straight from El Cotillo’s castle (Tostón Tower) by following the path south down the sand.
The cliffs aren’t quite as high here, and there’s often a mix of sunbathers, surf-school groups, and locals just hanging out.
It’s a good spot for photographers too, as the old fort makes for a cracking backdrop, especially at sunset. You’ll still need to bring supplies, as there are no amenities directly on the sand, but the town’s cafes are a short stroll away.
Basically – it’s nice, just as nice as Piedra, only within relatively acceptable walking distance from town (20 mins), so good if you don’t have a car.
The surf? The same Atlantic energy that hits Piedra rolls in here, though the peaks are a touch tamer and better for improvers. The northernmost section sometimes offers sheltered corners when the wind is offshore, with a slower take-off and decent reform sections for practising turns.
Where to stay in El Cotillo?
- 🏨 El Hotelito del Cotillo – Get the Moroccan riad feel at this ultra-nice adult’s only hotel in the town. Walking distance to beaches, great service, touch of lux.
- 🏄Riders Surf’n Bike – One of El Cotillo’s longest established surf camps. They run 8-day surf stays that include all lessons from a villa with a pool. Good vibes. Good people.
- 🧘♀️Surf & Yoga Retreats Fuerteventura – Yoga, surf lessons, and a massage are included here. Your base? A lovely villa just behind the town in the volcanic landscapes.
Playa de Esquinzo
Not to be confused with the beach of the same name in the south of Fuerteventura, El Cotillo’s Playa de Esquinzo is a wild, windswept spot about 15 minutes’ drive south along the coastal dirt road.
You’ll need a sturdy hire car and some patience, but the reward is a remote bay hemmed in by cliffs and washed by consistent swell. There’s nothing here. No bars. No sunbeds. No tourists. You’ll get just the sound of waves and gulls, and some great surf if it’s on.
It’s one of the most isolated beaches on the island and an amazing place for a full-day escape. Swimming isn’t safe due to the strong currents, and the same goes for the surf – which is shifty AF.
The surf? Esquinzo gets plenty of swell and can hold size, producing wedgy, fast beach breaks when the sandbanks are aligned. It’s better suited to experienced surfers who can handle shifting peaks and sketchy paddle-outs. When it’s small, though, it’s pure magic for everyone.
Punta Blanca
Punta Blanca sits a little north of El Cotillo, reached via a rough dirt track past the lighthouse. It’s not really a beach for swimming or lounging – the shore is mainly black volcanic rock. But I do like it as a spot to chill, watch the surf, and escape the crowds.
The water here is that clear Fuerteventura blue, and there are a few flatter, sheltered spots between the rocks where you can dip in on calm days. Bring shade and water, as there’s nothing around except the sea and lava.
You’d mainly come for the surf (see below) but sunsets are great, and so is the solitude.
The surf? Punta Blanca hosts a mellow right-hand reef break that’s ideal for intermediates. It’s one of the more forgiving reefs on the north shore, breaking over flat lava with long, cruisy walls. It needs a decent northwest swell and light winds to work, but when it does, it’s a joy – smooth, rippable, and often uncrowded.
The best beaches for non-surfers in El Cotillo
Playa Los Charcos
Right up by the lighthouse on the far north side of town (not walkable – you need to drive 10 mins or somrthing), Playa Los Charcos is a world away from the wild Atlantic breakers down south.
Here, volcanic rock formations create natural pools that trap the turquoise water into calm lagoons, making it perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Families love it because it’s sheltered from the wind and has minimal waves, and it’s rarely busy except on weekends.
Access is easy by car, with parking near the lighthouse. Bring supplies though.
The surf? None to speak of. The rocky pools and lagoon system make this one of the calmest parts of El Cotillo’s coastline – perfect for swimming, not for waves.
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La Concha Beach (Playa de la Concha)
La Concha is probably El Cotillo’s most famous non-surf beach. And I can see why: It’s an almost-perfect crescent of golden sand and crystal-clear water tucked just north of the main town.
The bay is protected by an offshore reef, so it stays calm even when Piedra Playa is getting thumped by big ones. There are a few snack vans, some toilets, and space to rent loungers in summer, though it never feels overly developed.
Parking is free and easy right behind the beach. It’s a great pick for kids, swimmers, and anyone who wants the Fuerteventura water without the drama.
It’s essentially the perfect Canarian chillout beach and within easy striking distance of the town. Sunsets are banging too.
The surf? None. The outer reef keeps it lake-flat almost all year round, which is exactly what makes it such a great swimming spot.
Playa de los Lagos
Right in the heart of El Cotillo, Playa de los Lagos is where the town meets the sea. Small whitewashed hotels and cafes sit directly behind it, and there’s always a mix of locals, families, and travellers catching rays. They actually call this one just El Cotillo beach most of the time.
The sand is soft and pale, the water shallow and protected by lava reefs, and it’s ideal for paddling or snorkelling on calm days. It’s the most convenient beach in town – you can grab lunch, hire a sunbed, or watch the sunset over the lagoon from a terrace with a beer in hand.
Gets busy, yea, but it’s real nice.
The surf? None really. Los Lagos sits inside the protected lagoon area of El Cotillo, so the waves barely break.
