Can you imagine discovering Fuerteventura from the sea? The island of beaches, surfing and tranquillity offers visitors countless ways to explore its coastline from the water. Climb aboard because we’re going to reveal the best boat trips and excursions in Fuerteventura.
Sailing in Fuerteventura is a wonderful way to explore the island from the outside and discover the incredible wealth of life in the Canary Islands’ waters.
You can set off on a boat trip around the island’s coastline from several ports in Fuerteventura and there are also different types of boat to choose between: catamaran, sailing boat or water-taxi… So it’s a good idea to have an idea of what you’re interested in doing, how many people you have in your group and whether or not you want to include a water sports activity.
Where to book a boat trip in Fuerteventura
The main ports in Fuerteventura are Puerto del Rosario and Corralejo. Corralejo is the busiest because it is located in an area popular with tourists and it offers many different routes and options.
In the south of the island, you can book boat trips at Morro Jable and Gran Tarajal ports. On the east coast, near Puerto del Rosario and the airport, the Castillo marina also offers several different boat trips.
These five docks in Fuerteventura are marinas and leisure ports and therefore offer different excursions and activities around the island’s coast.
Lobos Island by boat
One of the most famous boat trips from Fuerteventura takes you to the Island of Lobos, opposite Corralejo on the north coast. Untamed Lobos Island remains unspoilt and an excursion here is highly exclusive and special. This small island is entirely protected and receives a maximum of 400 visitors a day.
There are various different options for visiting Lobos from Corralejo port, from a simple return journey to trips that combine an island visit with activities such as snorkelling, diving, water-taxi or dolphin spotting.
To protect the island’s valuable natural environment, the Regional Government of Fuerteventura has established a maximum quota of 400 visitors per day and you need to obtain an access permit before your trip. This free permit is available via the internet only a few days before each date and can be obtained for a morning or afternoon visit. However, many companies that offer this trip include the permit with the boat booking.
The direct journey from Corralejo to Lobos only takes 15 minutes but there are several excursions that add on a few extra hours to the trip by crossing in a sailing boat or catamaran to delight the most seafaring visitors.
Sailing boats and catamarans in Fuerteventura
Another popular option is to book a private sailing or catamaran trip from one of the ports in Fuerteventura. There are countless possibilities and the type of boat you choose depends on your personal taste.
For example, romantics might feel a sunset sailing trip with dinner is the perfect plan to put the finishing touch to an unforgettable holiday in Fuerteventura. Let yourself be mesmerized by a stunning sunset as you sail the Atlantic Ocean and tuck into a wonderful dinner on board!
You could also choose a boat trip that includes anchoring by a hidden area of coastline and enjoy swimming in the high seas—a great idea for groups of friends, birthday parties and stag/hen dos. Fuerteventura has stretches of coastline that are practically unspoilt and cannot be accessed by land, so the local knowledge of a good skipper is really helpful in taking you to your dream spot.
Setting sail from the ports at Corralejo (north) or Morro Jable (south) is an excellent option if you would like to visit the west coast of Fuerteventura; this side of the island is less well-known and developed than the east and therefore far wilder.
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Boat trip from Fuerteventura to Lanzarote
In addition to trips around the Fuerteventura coastline, the neighbouring island of Lanzarote is so close it’s easy to visit by boat. You’ll find excursions from Corralejo port to Papagayo and Playa Blanca on the beautiful next-door island.
Southern Lanzarote is famous for its seabeds, which are beloved by scuba diving fans. Many of the boats that take visitors here have glass bottoms for viewing under the water so everyone can enjoy the wonders hidden beneath the waves.
Whale and dolphin watching in Fuerteventura
Not all the natural treasures of the sea are always underwater. The area around Fuerteventura, like all the Canary Islands, is excellent for whale and dolphin watching. You have a great chance of spotting whales and dolphins from on deck; many excursions last several hours and include dropping anchor and an aperitif.
In addition to being a Biosphere Reserve, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote hope to be selected as a protected marine area for whales and dolphins. In fact, the Canary Islands are one of the 10 best places in the world for whale watching according to the National Geographic organisation.
One of the areas commonly visited by whale watching boats is the La Bocaina straight, the channel that separates Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, which is why many excursions leave from Corralejo port. Jandía, Ajuy and Caleta de Fuste (link interno) are also considered to be good areas for spotting these animals.
The best time of year for seeing whales and dolphins is in summer, especially in June when Fuerteventura is visited by bottlenose dolphins, pilot whales, humpback whales, fin whales and sperm whales. A unique sight!
It’s worth bearing in mind that not all boat companies are equipped for organising whale watching excursions. The boat must have Blue Boat certification authorising this type of trip issued by the Canary Islands government.
Ready to discover Fuerteventura from another point of view? Find the boat trip that suits you best and set sail for the Atlantic!
