There’s nothing like a wet day to get me searching for the closest winter solar holidays, particularly within the Canary Islands – though with so many issues to do in Fuerteventura with youngsters, it’s an amazing wager for households year-round.
incorporates affiliate hyperlinks*
The Canary Islands have been one in every of our common locations for household holidays – my daughter’s first ever journey was to Lanzarote, we’ve additionally explored Gran Canaria whereas I’ve been to Tenerife a number of instances, so I used to be already bought on the thought of Fuerteventura with youngsters.
So why select Fuerteventura, the second largest of the Canary Islands? In addition to nice villas and inns which gained’t break the financial institution, plus fabulous meals even on a price range, that is what tempted me to e book a vacation, with my choose of the most effective issues to do in Fuerteventura with youngsters.
Benefit from the nice climate
Greater than 300 days of sunshine every year and a few nice temperatures year-round means Fuerteventura is a good wager if you wish to escape the chilly.
We visited throughout October half-term when common temperatures of 24C in Fuerteventura in October are blissful in comparison with the UK… By February, when London’s common excessive is about 8C and I typically really feel like I haven’t seen daylight for roughly 100 years, it’s nonetheless round 19C.
You will be unfortunate with cool and wet days, even off the coast of Africa, and Fuerteventura – because the identify (‘sturdy winds‘) suggests – is a windy island. In the event you’re summer time holidays to Fuerteventura, that does cool the solar down properly although, when the common excessive nonetheless hovers round 25-26C.
Hit the seashores
Is it a correct winter solar vacation with youngsters for those who don’t go to the seaside? And in addition to having the longest seashores within the Canaries, there are 152 of them throughout the island.
Fuerteventura’s seashores are perfect for youngsters too – a few of the finest seashores have very shallow waters resembling Playa del Castillo at Caleta de Fuste and Playa del Matorral within the south of the island, in addition to the attractive calm waters of Playa La Concha close to El Cotillo.
In the event you’re searching for concepts of extra adventurous issues to do in Fuerteventura for teenagers than sandcastles, it’s additionally an amazing location for water sports activities like windsurfing and kite browsing, because of the winds – superb for teenagers and lively tweens who need some extra thrilling actions than sandcastle constructing.
Playa de Sotavento, surrounded by sand dunes, is one great spot, whereas clambering on the sand dunes of Corralejo Pure Park was an enormous hit with my daughter too – it’s additionally the positioning of the island’s annual kite pageant.
Costa Calma seaside is one other great spot for those who’re searching for a surf lesson or to attempt windsurfing, plus loads of white sand and the crystal clear waters you’ll be able to anticipate round Fuerteventura.
You too can e book youngsters and household surf classes with one of many island’s surf faculties – the seashores range relying on the climate situations, however they’re all chosen for his or her mild waves, excellent for newcomers
Or for one thing slightly totally different, try Morro Jable – 4km of attractive seaside with turquoise waters, a string of retailers lining the seaside and the Jandia salt marshes behind.
Go to Acua Water Park
This massive water park in Fuerteventura is the one water park on the island. Beforehand known as Baku, Acua Water Park in Corralejo has a wave pool and a youngsters’s splash pool in addition to extra thrilling water slides and rides.
There’s loopy golf as properly, which my daughter loves (and is impressively good at) plus 10-pin bowling for those who don’t wish to spend all day within the water.
It’s open from April for the principle summer time season till across the finish of October/early November, so for those who’re contemplating visiting Fuerteventura in February half-term, that’s one to save lots of for subsequent time although.
Purchase tickets to Acua Water Park with free cancellation right here
Take a ship journey
We’ve taken boat journeys in Gran Canaria as we cruised alongside the coast to Puerto Mogan in addition to recognizing dolphins world wide so dolphin and whale recognizing journeys in Fuerteventura had been prime of my checklist for our vacation.
Try my video of our boat tour, discovering a pod of noticed dolphins within the waters between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote
You’ll discover boat excursions leaving from each ends of the island – as we had been staying close to Corralejo, we went for this nice four-hour dolphin-spotting tour, which additionally stops at Isla de Lobos, or there’s an identical five-hour catamaran cruise which mixes the possibility to see dolphins with a visit to Isla de Lobos and a paella lunch.
Or for those who’re within the south of the island, this 90-minute dolphin recognizing journey is appropriate for age 3 years outdated and above, whereas there’s additionally a two-hour dolphin recognizing tour for all ages with drinks – or this longer dolphin-spotting cruise contains time to snorkel and a spot of tapas as properly.
Or a glass-bottomed catamaran journey can also be tempting, letting you watch the fish by the glass base earlier than heading into the water to snorkel. I wouldn’t suggest the Oceanarium Explorer glass-bottomed submarine although because it some dangerous critiques (and I’m at all times reluctant to suggest experiences with captive marine life, like swimming with sealions in any case).
In the event you desire a somewhat totally different household enjoyable expertise, there’s additionally a four-hour Pirate Crusing Journey aboard the Pedra Sartaña pirate boat – as you sail alongside the coasts of the Pure Park, you’ll be able to be taught the hoist the sails, tie knots and even get behind the wheel.
Anticipate loads of video games, and water actions together with swinging off the facet of the boat – way more enjoyable than strolling the plank. They’re additionally licensed whale and dolphin watchers so that you may nonetheless spot some throughout your pirate cruise.
See Isla de Lobos
In addition to the boat journeys round Fuerteventura which frequently cease close to Isla de Lobos, it’s tempting to go over for an extended go to to Lobos island itself to snorkel with the fish within the ridiculously clear waters.
A nature reserve since 1982, there are not any everlasting inhabitants – the identify ‘Wolves Island’ comes from the monk seals that after lived right here, referred to as sea wolves.
There are strolling trails all around the island, or you’ll be able to relax on Playa de la Concha, a small sheltered lagoon with a sandy seaside. Deliver all the pieces you’ll want for a day exploring (or lounging on La Concha seaside) as there are not any retailers to pop to when you’re there.
There’s a speedy water taxi – waterproof bag suggested for this 15 minute journey – or you’ll be able to take the ferry for a barely extra sedate journey that takes about the identical period of time.
Head to Oasis Wildlife Fuerteventura
Animals are at all times successful with my daughter and whereas this Fuerteventura zoo isn’t the most affordable round, there’s a formidable quantity to see at Oasis Wildlife – plus it’s the one animal park on the island.
Together with flamingos, hippos, monkeys and giraffes, plus birds, reptiles and sea lions, you too can be part of a camel safari (for an additional charge) and experience by the palm groves outdoors the park in addition to an possibility to fulfill the lemurs (once more, for an additional charge).
There’s additionally a botanical backyard hooked up with over 2,300 forms of cacti and free buses run to the park, not removed from La Lajita.
There’s a give attention to schooling and conservation at Oasis Wildlife (beforehand referred to as Oasis Park Zoo), in addition to a bit on ethics on the web site, which is reassuring to see as properly.
You should buy entrance tickets with free cancellation, together with choices together with the camel experience
Uncover Fuerteventura’s wild facet
On each Canary Island I’ve visited, I really like getting away from the vacationer resorts on the coast to find the wilder facet – the volcanic landscapes of Lanzarote, the black sands and luxurious inexperienced north of Tenerife (to not point out its personal volcano), and the mountainous inside of Gran Canaria.
Fuerteventura is simply round 60 miles lengthy and below 20 miles extensive, and solely takes two hours to drive from finish to finish, so you may rent a automotive to discover the island’s quiet roads – there are extra goats than folks right here.
You possibly can even take a tour with goats as you head off the overwhelmed monitor, discovering areas the place goat herders nonetheless reside and getting an opportunity to feed them (after which having some goat cheese in return). The five-hour trek is simply appropriate for older youngsters, aged 9+.
Or uncover the historic city of Betancuria, its white buildings sitting within the shadow of the mountains, and secluded stretches of sand like Juan Gomez seaside in the direction of the south-western tip of the island.
I really like the thought of discovering the normal windmills dotted round too – apparently these that are one storey excessive are ‘feminine’, known as molinas, and the two-storey variations are ‘male’ referred to as molinos, with tons close to the oldest village on Fuerteventura known as Antigua. Or there’s an interpretation centre at Tiscamanita together with an opportunity to see a working windmill.
There may be automotive rental at Fuerteventura’s airport however you too can hire vehicles in many of the main vacationer centres if you wish to do a day journey – we booked with Cicar for this journey.
In the event you don’t fancy driving in any respect, there are day excursions to discover – this off-road tour of Fuerteventura heads to Jandia Nationwide Park and stops at one of many island’s secluded seashores.
In the event you’re planning to rent a automotive to discover Fuerteventura, I’m an enormous fan of Zest Automobile Rental or you too can evaluate charges at Uncover Automobiles
Discover the Ajuy Caves (Cuevas de Ajuy)
The Canary Islands’ volcanic previous nonetheless shapes them at the moment, whether or not that’s the blackened panorama of Lanzarote or Mount Teide on Tenerife – and the identical goes for Fuerteventura, which has a sequence of historical caves to find.
The Ajuy Caves are a part of Betancuria Rural Park they usually’re the oldest formations within the islands, so strolling inside is like stepping again into Fuerteventura’s previous. In an odd twist of geology, some elements of the caves are older than the island itself, courting again 100 million years (whereas Fuerteventura is simply round 30 million years outdated).
On the stroll to the caves, you’ll be able to see fossilised sand dunes and blowholes within the rocks, earlier than discovering the rock formations and tunnels of the caves, with some deep swimming pools inside.
Set on the western coast of Fuerteventura, they’re round 5 miles from Pájara, and a brief stroll from the black sand Ajuy seaside – sturdy currents imply this black sand seaside isn’t an amazing place to swim with youngsters although, as you’ll inform from the ocean crashing across the rocks on the entrance to the caves.
Visiting the caves isn’t an amazing possibility with toddlers and younger youngsters, however enjoyable for older youngsters: do put on wise sneakers somewhat than flipflops, particularly for those who’re scrambling by the slender opening into the second cave, and bear in mind it may be a windy stroll on this facet of the island.
In the event you time your go to for near sundown, it’s top-of-the-line locations in Fuerteventura to observe it dip under the horizon.
Climb Calderon Hondo
This extinct volcano within the north of the island is one other reminder of the Canary Island’s volcanic previous, and you may nonetheless go to the caldera at the moment.
It’s not the one one on the island, however it’s some of the accessible for households – you climb a stone path to achieve the highest at 278m above sea degree, the place there’s a viewing platform to look proper down into the 70m deep crater.
At this peak, it may be windy, so when you can stroll across the crater, it’s not beneficial with youngsters (and never for adults if there’s sturdy wind both). In the event you’re visiting within the hotter months, there’s no shade so it’s finest to go to early within the day or later within the afternoon, although do verify the sundown instances.
There’s parking at Camino Calderas, with the stone path ranging from right here – the final part of highway resulting in the automotive park may be very rocky, so bear in mind for those who’ve acquired a rent automotive. There are additionally two longer routes for those who’re searching for extra of a problem with older youngsters, with parking at Aparcamiento Sendero Volcano Calderon Hondo.
Try my assessment of climbing Calderon Hondo with youngsters
See the Salt Museum, Salinas del Carmen
Fuerteventura’s Salt Museum, or Museo de la Sal, sits proper beside the salt pans of El Carmen, within the space the place the island’s first salt fields had been constructed centuries in the past.
Salt farming has lengthy been a practice throughout the Canary Islands, with an exhibition sharing data on how salt was extracted from the ocean water. After testing the shows, you’ll be able to stroll by the salt fields, that are nonetheless in operation, to see the normal strategies in follow – plus there’s a store the place you should buy the completed product too.
The museum shouldn’t be removed from Caleta de Fuste, there’s additionally an enormous whale skeleton outdoors the whitewashed museum constructing.
Try Puerto del Rosario sculpture park
In the event you’re passing Fuerteventura’s small capital, Puerto del Rosario, on the island’s east coast, it’s properly price stopping to discover.
Changing Betancuria because the capital in 1860, the small fishing village has grown over the previous 150 years however you’ll be able to nonetheless discover its outdated city, with buildings courting again to the early nineteenth century.
Alongside the way in which, look out for the sculptures dotted round – whereas it’s known as the Sculpture Park, there isn’t only one single location to discover, as quite a bit are set in several parks, alongside varied promenades and in the midst of roundabouts.
There are tons to see across the port although, together with ones impressed by the island’s goats and whales. Preserve a watch out for the city’s murals too, a part of an initiative began in 2011, with a whole lot now brightening up its streets.
Close by Playa Blanca seaside – to not be confused with its namesake in Lanzarote – is one other pretty seaside to chill out on or benefit from the water actions too.
Go to Lanzarote
The 2 islands are so shut that I’ve seen Fuerteventura once we’ve stayed in Playa Blanca on Lanzarote – I’ve contemplated taking the ferry to Fuerteventura fairly a number of instances however have by no means fairly managed to throughout our stays on the neighbouring island.
So whereas there’s a lot to entertain on Fuerteventura for teenagers, I additionally love the thought of a fast hop again with the ferry to Playa Blanca, wandering alongside the waterfront with the seaside on one facet and eating places on the opposite – you’ll be able to see a few of my favorite locations to eat in Playa Blanca with youngsters right here and there’s a lot to tempt the entire household.
Or additional down is Marina Rubicon with its market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. The crossing takes round 30-45 minutes with three to 4 boats per day.
With a number of corporations operating between the islands, you’ll be able to evaluate ferry costs from Fuerteventura to Lanzarote on the Ferryhopper web site to search out the most affordable day journey from Fuerteventura
Planning a household vacation in Fuerteventura
In the event you’re searching for low-cost flights to Fuerteventura, there are some nice choices from the UK, particularly for those who’re searching for a bundle deal.
In addition to TUI and Jet2, you too can discover a few of the low-cost airways with flights to Fuerteventura from the UK, together with easyJet out of Gatwick and Ryanair from Stansted.
There’s additionally a large selection of family-friendly inns in Fuerteventura if you wish to e book independently, in addition to villas and self-catering flats to select from.
For extra concepts, try my information to the Canary Islands with youngsters
*First revealed 2019, final up to date 2025*
PIN FOR LATER: THINGS TO DO IN FUERTEVENTURA WITH KIDS
Disclosure: This put up incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee. All opinions about visiting Fuerteventura with youngsters are my very own, together with the truth that sunshine is important by the point it’s February.
Corralejo sand dunes/dolphin/Ajuy Caves/Calderon Hondo inside/lady copyright MummyTravels, all different photographs courtesy Depositphotos
LIKED THIS? SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL NEWSLETTER