Category Archives: Fuerteventura

5 reasons to visit Fuerteventura in the middle of winter

The Canary Islands are one of the most famous holiday destinations in Europe, but their beauty isn’t only shown in summer. In fact, winter in Fuerteventura is one of the best times to enjoy the island to the fullest.

We give you 5 good reasons why you shouldn’t miss this destination.

1.Nice weather
The temperature doesn’t drop below 18 degrees. Considering that in all of Europe the winter average is around 5 degrees, we think that the average in Fuerteventura is quite attractive! But be careful, don’t let the numbers fool you: If the day is a bit cloudy, it can be cool, but nothing that a windbreaker and a thin sweatshirt can’t solve.

If the day is sunny… don’t forget your swimsuit and sunscreen, because you’ll definitely need it!


2.Dolphins in the wild
There is no specific season for whale watching in Fuerteventura.
They can be enjoyed all year round. However, in winter with less maritime traffic due to the decrease in tourism, it will be much easier to find pods of dolphins and pilot whales ready to play and jump around the boat.

If you want to live this unique experience in the middle of nature, we recommend our “Combo Cetaceans” excursion that you can book by clicking HERE.


3.Paradise for water activities
It is the season of wind and waves, something that favors the practice in this Atlantic paradise of water sports such as windsurfing, kitesurfing and surfing. And if you want to ride the longest wave in Europe that is created just in front of the island of Lobos, you can reach the islet in just 10 minutes with our Water Taxi. Click HERE for information and prices.

4.Enjoy the beach without wind
If you want to spend a wonderful day at the beach, get a windbreaker to protect you or simply look for a stone corral where you can take refuge. These are small constructions made by the Majoreros and by visitors that are very characteristic of our beaches: they are built with small stones that form a defense against the air and that make these shelters a characteristic part of the Majorero landscape!
The wind cannot stop the desire of sea!

5.Every day magical adventures
Except for exceptionally adverse conditions, every day you can enjoy a fantastic catamaran ride sailing to discover the ocean and Isla de Lobos. They will be unique memories sipping a good wine, meeting new people with whom to share the joy of your vacation, and eating an excellent paella surrounded by the crystalline waters that bathe the coasts of our island.

If you want to live this incredible experience, click HERE to see the range of excursions we offer and secure your place on board.

Have we been convincing enough? We’re waiting for you!
Good wind also in winter!

Let’s discover together the marine fauna of Fuerteventura!

What is one of the biggest dreams of children?
Without a doubt, seeing dolphins!
Seeing them swimming freely in the unspoilt ocean is an experience that adults will never forget.



But how can you experience this unique and exciting adventure?
It’s easy! You can just buy a ticket for an excursion with Fuertecharter!





The tour starts by embarking from the port of Corralejo, and is designed for everyone to have fun, both adults and children.


The best sailing area for whale watching is the channel between Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and the island of Lobos.

 Most of the time we find them to the northwest of the island of Lobos, a couple of miles off the coast, with the Papagayo Beach of Lanzarote and the Great Beaches of Corralejo as a frame. Other times they can be found in Lanzarote, in the area in front of Playa Quemada, Puerto del Carmen or Puerto Calero; sometimes they can be found along the east coast of Fuerteventura, in front of the wonderful natural park of the Corralejo Dunes, at the foot of Montaña Rojas, known for its special red peak.

These unspoilt areas are home to many marine animals, such as dolphins, whales, pilot whales and sea turtles.

In fact, in the Canary Islands waters, you can spot 28 of the 87 types of cetaceans that exist in the world!
This certifies the high quality of the waters surrounding Fuerteventura.

It will be very easy to find a group of dolphins playing around the catamaran you are sailing on.


Seeing them is an incredible experience, but spotting a whale is truly a breathtaking moment.
 These majestic aquatic mammals swim in the waters around Fuerteventura between spring and summer.

There are many others that live in the depths in search of squid to hunt, and these cetaceans can reach up to 20 metres in length, but as we have said, they prefer to stay close to the seabed where they can remain undisturbed.

So which cetaceans can you spot on an excursion with Fuertecharter?


Bottlenose Dolphin: it is very common to see this dolphin in the Canary Islands, it measures between 2 and 4 metres, looks quite portly and likes to travel in groups, they have a lot of fun chasing our boat or swimming around!


Pilot Whale: Although it is called a whale, it actually belongs to the dolphin family and is also known as the Calderón Tropical, another common mammal in the Canary Islands. It can measure up to 5 metres in length.

Common dolphin: a very slender cetacean. It is characteristically coloured, with a dark grey dorsal area and a white ventral area; laterally it has light grey areas from head to tail. It measures up to 2.4 m in length.

Striped dolphin: The striped dolphin is similar in size and shape to several other dolphins that inhabit the same waters, however, their colouring makes them easy to distinguish in the sea. The underside or belly is white or pink. There are one or two dark blue bands running from the eye to the caudal fin.

Hammerhead shark: The most striking feature of all hammerhead shark species is the particular T-shaped head, with the eyes and nostrils located at the ends of the head, thanks to the side-to-side head movement as it swims, it can see everything around it and even behind it.

Sunfish: The body is flattened laterally and when the dorsal and ventral fins are extended, the fish is as long as it is tall.

Exocoetidae or Flying fish: Its most striking feature is the size of its unusually large pectoral fins, which allow it to fly and glide for distances of more than 50 metres.

Sperm whale: The largest toothed animal in existence, males can grow up to 20.5 metres long and weigh more than 50 tonnes.

Loggerhead turtle: known as Caretta Caretta, one of the smallest turtles in the ocean and can measure up to 120cm, it does not like to live too deep.

And if you don’t look enough, you can also see other aquatic animals such as the spotted dolphin, the rough-toothed dolphin, the black and grey pilot whale, the humpback whale and the Bryde’s whale. 

In addition, many birds can be sighted during our excursion. A very special one is the so-called Cory’s Shearwater, a type of bird that spends days without touching land in search of food. It plays an important role in the search for dolphins as it flies just above the school of bait and therefore helps us to find them.



And the experience doesn’t end here, because on this excursion we will also take you to relax in front of the island of Lobos, where you can sunbathe on our boat or do water activities such as snorkelling, sup or kayaking, and we will serve you a delicious paella, accompanied with drinks and fresh wine.

During the whole excursion we will take a multitude of free photos that you will be able to download on our website, to remember this magnificent experience forever!

What are you waiting for to book?
Get on board and live this dream adventure with us!

The four best excursions you absolutely must try in Fuerteventura!

Fuerteventura, the second largest island of the Canary islands, is one of the most desired tourist destinations in Europe, not only for surfers who find waves and wind all year round, but is loved by all thanks to its mild climate all year round.

But whether you are travelling with your partner, your family or on your own, there are so many activities you can do.
Fuerteventura is full of incredible corners of unspoiled nature.
Within a few kilometres you will feel like you are in the Sahara desert, in the turquoise waters of the Maldives or in Jurassic locations from a movie.

For more tips, read our ARTICLE dedicated to the most beautiful places on the island.

But if you are looking for exciting and exclusive activities in Fuerteventura, we have selected for you the best experiences you can have and we offer them in combination with our most popular catamaran excursion at the cheapest price you can get.

Why should you buy a combined excursion package with us?
Firstly, because in one click you save money on both activities.
Secondly, and equally important, you don’t have to do both on the same day, you can decide for yourself when to do them during your holiday.

 All packages have in common our fantastic Deluxe Combo excursion, which consists of a 4 hour catamaran tour of the island of Lobos where sailing along the coast.

On this excursion you will enjoy a guided tour of Lobos Island and discover its most beautiful corners, you’ll explore the crystal clear waters by kayak, SUP or snorkelling with hundreds of fish, and finally you’ll enjoy a delicious paella on board.

 Let’s take a look at some of our combined proposals.

Deluxe Combo + Buggy
In the last few years, buggy tours have become a must-do attraction here in Fuerteventura, especially because they are a fun and alternative way to discover the volcanic landscapes of the island.

Bring out your adventurous spirit and buy your package by clicking HERE!

 

Deluxe Combo + Visit to the Conatvs Winery
Your visit will start with a tour of the vineyard during which you will learn about the Canarian grape varieties and the techniques of growing and making Conatvs wine, which is the only brand of wine from Fuerteventura with the Protected Designation of Origin of the Canary Islands.

Don’t worry, of course you will also have a Fuerteventura wine, oil and cheese tasting!
How can you miss a good local wine?
Buy this package by clicking HERE 

Combo Deluxe + Stargazing
Did you know that Fuerteventura is a UNESCO Starlight Reserve?
It means that from here you can observe an incredibly clear sky full of stars.
You will be able to observe the Milky Way, shooting stars, planets and take night pictures, everything under the supervision of a professional guide who will explain to you all the particularities of the island’s sky.

 What’s more… It’s one of the most romantic things to do!
More information by clicking HERE.

 

Combo Deluxe + Panorama Island Grand Tour
A luxury Mercedes minibus with WiFi will take you to discover Fuerteventura from the north to the extreme south, with stops at the most beautiful and special places on the island such as the dunes of Corralejo, Betancuria, Sotavento and other picturesque places that can’t be missing on your holiday list.

 How about a tour together?
Book it by clicking HERE.

 These are just some of our offers and stay tuned because we will soon publish many more.
You can check them all out on our website www.fuertecharter.com or call us on +34669354404. 

We can’t wait for you to come on board with us and live a wonderful adventure discovering Fuerteventura!

 

Welcome to Fuerteventura!

Fuerteventura is a paradise for “wind and wave” water sports. The oldest island of Canarian archipelago stands out for its great beaches with crystal water, wonderful natural parks with routes for hiking and its amazing underwater world.

The kindness and smiles of its habitants are one of the characteristics of the Majorera culture, known also for the production of the best goat cheeses in the world. 

A good climate on the island during all year and its warm waters make it a perfect and unique touristic destination. It is the eternal spring island, where the temperature is perfect throughout the year.

Fuerteventura is a privileged destination with its painteresque Fishermans villages, infinite deserts and spectacular landscapes.

We therefore present you the essence of Fuerteventura and the places that you cannot miss during your stay.

Fuerteventura: Corralejo- What to see? 

If you arrive in Fuerteventura with a boat, we recommend anchoring in the Port of Corralejo: a very dynamic town, known for its great beaches, sports and good atmosphere, both during the day and at night.

You can walk through its streets or by the sea enjoying its flavors and contemplating the views. Just 5 km from the town are the famous Corralejo Dunes, where you can enjoy this immense natural landscape.

The old town has a great selection of restaurants, where at night you can enjoy live music, sitting comfortably in one of them.  Between the places that are worth visiting are:

  • Dunas de Corralejo Natural Park 
  • Burro Beach 
  • Moro Beach
  • Old Town of Corralejo
  • Popcorn Beach (Sunset Beach)
  • Volcano Route

• Off road on north shore

Beaches in Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura is well known for its beaches. Each one of them is unique. In the north of the island, we can highlight:

Popcorn Beach (Sunset Beach in Corralejo)

This wonderful beach, instead of sand, has fossils of white algae that look like popcorn. If you are going to visit this beach, we ask you to be satisfied with just looking and touching this wonder, and do not take it with you as a souvenir; as this brings unwanted consequences to the natural environment.

Grandes Playas of Corralejo

It has beaches that are almost 3.5 kilometers long, creating a group known as Grandes Playas. Among them, we can highlight:

Flag Beach. Perfect place to practice kitesurfing.

• La Entubadera. Beach for surfing.

Bajo Negro beach. Beach located behind the hotels. It is well sheltered from the wind and waves; perfect to enjoy a day with the family.

Cotillo

If we move to the east coast of the island, we have another very cozy town called Cotillo. There we can find:

Lakes of Cotillo. Lagoons that form at high tide. Unlike other beaches, the se ones are generally very quiet.

  • Piedra Playa. An impressive beach to which we descend from a Cliff.

Sotavento

This amazing beach is known as the windsurf paradise and it  is one of the most famous beach worldwide to practice this sport. It is  here where the World Cup of windsurf and kitesurf are celebrated.

Cofete

 

For many it is the most beautiful beach on the island. It is located in the extreme south, on the Jandía peninsula. Getting there requires a bit of determination, but the effort will be rewarded by the nature which is so wild that it leaves you speechless. The sandy area, framed by majestic mountains, stretches as far as the eye can see and has a totally unspoiled and uncontaminated appearance. A paradisiacal and impressive beach that you can’t miss.

Gastronomy

Fuerteventura is a place of fishing tradition; it is the place where the richest fresh fish is obtained. The best known are viejas, breams, cabrillas, groupers, octopus or moray eel.

On the other hand, majorero goat meats are very popular and, of course, cheeses and yogurts made with goat’s milk.

These cheeses are one of the most valued products of Canarian gastronomy. Since 1996 it has a designation of origin.

Walking trails

Fuerteventura is a paradise for hiking lovers. If you are staying in the north of the island, we recommend a circular route that passes next to Montaña Colorada and leads us to the crater of the Calderón Hondo Volcano. The hike is very easy and  it offers incredible views.

As you can see, Fuerteventura is a paradise, not only because of its beaches, but also because of its extensive gastronomy and wonderful routes. What are you  for waiting to visit us?

Fuerteventura – Lanzarote – La Graciosa – Lobos – The catamaran charter

All aboard! The catamaran will set sail from Corralejo, Fuerteventura, heading north. Get ready for three days on the Fuerteventura – Lanzarote – La Graciosa- Lobos Cruise! You will enjoy impressive natural landscapes, beautiful sunsets and recreation.

The islands and islets of the Canary archipelago are true tourist gems located in the Atlantic.

Day 1 Cruise Lanzarote – La Graciosa- Lobos: Lanzarote

Sailing from the port of Corralejo, we go to our sister island – Lanzarote. From the north of Fuerte ventura we can appreciate a very different landscape from our beloved island of Fuerteventura. From afar we can see the traditional white houses of the island of Lanzarote.

White houses in Lanzarote

We land at Playa de Papagayo, the most popular beach on the island, which is located in the south of Lanzarote. Its golden sand and intense turquoise blue waters create a contrast of beautiful beauty.

Playa de Papagayo
Playa de Papagayo

After having enjoyed the water activities with our Kayak and Paddle Surf, we go to the capital of the island – Arrecife. You will enjoy a remarkable contrast after being in a place as wild as Playa de Papagayo.

Arrecife is the Capital of Lanzarote since the second half of the 19th century. It has become the administrative and commercial center of the island.

Then we go to the Marina de Arrecife, a marina for yachts and cruises, with restaurants, bars and trendy shops. There you will enjoy spectacular international food!

Arrecife offers us a lot of culture and history. We can find there among others: The Historic Quarter, the Castillo de San Gabriel and the International Museum of Contemporary Art. This is the only city we visited during our cruise.

Day 2 Lobos Cruise – Lanzarote – La Graciosa: La Graciosa Island

Now we leave from the port of Arrecife towards the north of Lanzarote, contemplating its rocky coast. After having passed the spectacular Risco de Famara, just beyond Punta Fariones, a pod of dolphins welcomes us just at the moment when we begin to see La Graciosa. What a happiness to be able to see them in their natural environment!

Dolphins

The coast of Lanzarote is very rich in marine fauna. With a little luck you can see a sperm whale or a whale during the tour. As if the welcome from the dolphins was not enough, the buzzer begins to sound. The result is a sierra fish, which we will have for dinner tonight!

Sierra

Finally, we cross the last section called El Río that is between Lanzarote and La Graciosa.

La Graciosa is known as the Eighth Island of the 7 Canary Islands. Only in 2018 was it recognized as such. With its white houses and sandy streets, it has a population of 700 people. It is one of the few places in Europe where roads are not yet built. This makes the island still virgin, and free of mass tourism.

Direction: La Graciosa

La Graciosa surprises us with its beauty, nature and silence.

The beauty of its exotic and solitary beaches captivates to a point of relaxation that is not easily achieved elsewhere.

Day 3 Lobos Cruise – Lanzarote – La Graciosa: Islet of Lobos

On the third day our cruise arrives at the islet of Lobos. Named for the large number of sea lions that once populated its shores. It is a beauty of volcanic nature, a natural space for birds and other animals on the island.

Then we landed at the Lobos anchorage to spend our last night of the cruise. The water here is crystal clear and shallow, making it easy to see the seabed.

Sunrise in Isla de Lobos

In the morning we have breakfast with a wonderful sunrise and we head back to the port of Corralejo. It is a short journey: about 15 – 20 minutes.

Enjoy 3 wonderful days on a cruise

It has been a wonderful 3 days. But as they say “all good things come to an end soon.” Until next time!

Pesca Family- Fishing Trip

The excursion is described from the point of view of our client, that has never fished in her life!

I love coming to Fuerteventura to disconnect from my everyday life and connect with the nature! This island has to offer so many attractions, both on the land and on the water that makes it impossible to do all of these activities during only one stay.

Fuertecharter is a company that I choose every time I come to Fuerteventura, and I am always positively surprised with whichever excursion I choose.

I already did the Catamaran trip, and also the Dolphin watching, which were just amazing, and I didn’t think that anything can be better than these two trips.

-“What else is in you offer?”

“ Tomorrow we have one spot for the trip Combo Pesca Family”

At the beginning I wasn´t too convinced because it seemed to me that fishing can be quite boring..

-“It´s all the oposite”- the girl from the sales office seemed quite reassured of what she was saying.

OK, let’s try it then.

We left on Wednesday, early in the morning. The ocean was very calm, it seemed like a lake. The sun was raising , and we were enjoying the incredible light.

The crew of the boat explained us what the trip was all about: we will go fishing in few places, then we will anchor in Lobos to do other water activities like SUP, snorkel, Kayak. During this time out captain will prepare us lunch, based on what we fished!

“What if I don´t fish anything? It’s the first time I will go fishing! I have no idea how to do it.”

“Calm down, the ocean is full of fish. You will see how many we will get. Once we have enough we will even put some of them back to the ocean.”

We anchored in the middle of the sea, between Lanzarote y Fuerteventura.

-“Let’s try here”. The crew gave us the fishing pole, and helped us to put the worm on the hook.

So now let’s wait…some minutes passed. “I was right” I though, I should have repeated de Catamaran trip, or Dolphin Watching Combo.

Wait…now each one of participants (besides me) started to get some fishes. Not so big for the moment, but at least now we were going to have some lunch!

The guys started to take out every time bigger species! And different!

“This is a Sama”, “This one is a Cabrilla!”, “This one is a Sargo!”

“How exciting” Every participant now had a few fishes each, even an 8 year old kid that came with us… besides me!

The captain had a huge knowledge of the fish species that live in the Canarian seas. He knew the name of every fish that we got!

Then we moved few meters further, for some deeper waters, and there we were getting a fish every few minutes!

Suddenly I felt that my pole was pulled! Wow! It seems like I got something!

“I got a fish I think” I screamed to the captain, so he could help me to take it out!

The captain came and made few movements with the pole.

He said- “I´m sorry, for sure it’s just a rock, we will try to remove it”- he pulled the pole quite hard, and said “ Pull it up, it seems like you got something!”

I was rolling up the fishing reel, with 25m of the fishing line. In the end I saw a huge fish! A Pez Perro of 3.5kg! How amazing is that! Super happy like a little girl I was posing for the photos with my prey (which by the way you get for free in the end of the trip, and you can download from Fuertecharter page, the next day)

Finally I was calm and sure that I will not leave this trip hungry.

As we had already fished few kg of the fish, the captain explained us the importance of sustainable fishing, to avoid overfishing. We started to let free the last fishes we got. It made us reflect about the importance of protecting the nature and all the ecosystems. After a while we  picked up all the fishing poles, and we directed towards anchoring in Lobos Lagoon, in front of Playa de la Concha, to enjoy other water activities that I loved so much during other excursions: snorkel, sup y kayak. In the meanwhile the captain was preparing us the platter of the fried fish.

The lunch was amazing, fishes were delicious. They were served with the tipically Canarian side dish of “Papas arrugadas con mojo picón” (traditionally cooked potatoes with Canadian sauce). Without doubt, for all the fishing participants it was the most fresh fish we ever had ever eaten in our lives!

After few glasses of wine, and some chats with other participants of the trip, there came the end of this amazing experience!

I had so much fun and definitely I will repeat it in the future! Thank you Fuertecharter for this trip and for sharing my experience on the blog.

Villages to visit in Fuerteventura: El Cotillo

In our quest  to let people know about the wonders of Fuerteventura we continue writing about those places you should definitely visit to fully enjoy the island. We are based in the port of Corralejo and our favorite place is Isla de Lobos, a place where we make our tours for visitors to enjoy, but there are plenty of corners in this paradise island, one of them is the fishing village of El Cotillo.

It is the most northern town on the west coast. It is an uncrowded fishing and tourist town, as the offer for visitors focuses on the rental of apartments and small aparthotels and just one new built hotel. Its beautiful beaches, for all tastes, are some of the most beautiful ones on the island, with fantastic  natural landscapes and the charm of  a small fishing village that  turn it into  a must visit for traveller. It also has a very good range of restaurants where you can enjoy delicious local fresh fish,  as marine fauna is abundant.

Points of interest:

EL TOSTÓN LIGHTHOUSE.   Lighthouse in El Cotillo . Traditional Fishing Museum.
This beautiful lighthouse, located in a wonderful setting,  both for  its landscape and the richness of the birds that frequent it, now houses the Museum of Traditional Fishing, a representative sample of what  the fisherman trade meant to this town of El Cotillo and all over the island throughout its history.

Excursiones Fuertecharter Fuerteventura | Pueblos: El Cotillo

“MUELLE REFUGIO”
This  dock  is  a natural breakwater combined with a pier, used as a shelter dock for traditional fishing boats and small boats.

OLD DOCK
It is a small but lovely dock which has a small beach of black sand and pebbles, bounded by the pier and the cliff and surrounded by a variety of restaurants and bars where you can enjoy the local  fresh  fish and heavenly sunsets.

“LA CONCHA” BEACH
The beach of “La Concha” is one of the most beautiful corners of the area, located north of the village. It’s a natural pool sheltered by natural stone dikes that protect the beach from waves and made of pure white and fine sand and crystal water inviting to take a bath. In your way to El Tostón Lighthouse you can enjoy many more bays of this kind known as the Lakes of El Cotillo, because nature has wanted  this area to be made of small pools of sea protected by small stone dikes, ideal free of wave beaches to swim and enjoy with children without any danger.

“PIEDRA PLAYA” BEACH
South of town, under  a cliff with an amazing volcanic landscape behind we find this almost 2 km long sandy beach, the longest beach in the area, where year-round star sports in the island are practised: windsurfing, surfing ….

Excursiones Fuertecharter Fuerteventura | Pueblos: El Cotillo

“El  TOSTÓN” TOWER
“El Toston” Tower is a seventeenth century fortress built of stone which is accessed via a staircase connected to the door trhough a drawbridge. At its highest point there were three cannons to defend the territory against attacks by Berber , French and British pirates. Nowadays it’s a tourist information office.

Excursiones Fuertecharter Fuerteventura | Pueblos: El Cotillo

LIME KILNS
Throughout the entire geography of the island lime kilns are numerous, and  in between  the Shelter Dock in El Cotillo and El Tostón Lighthouse you can find up to four of them.

El Cotillo is definitely a place you should not miss; you can stroll along its streets or trails to enjoy the coast and swim in clean water, eat in its restaurants and enjoy an authentic  and quiet fishing village.

FuerteCharter Team

Time of “Dorado” in Fuerteventura

It’s already many the trips we make to the nearby island of Lobos, on our catamaran from FuerteCharter , and we do it in company of the spectacular Coryphaena hippurus, known as “Dorado” in Fuerteventura.

Elsewhere it is known as “gran corifena”, dolphinfish or “llampúa”, golden dolphin, “lirio”, “perico”, amberjack or mahi-mahi.

“ Dorado” is a bony fish of the family of the “Coryphaenidae”, spread all over the globe, in tropical or subtropical waters.

Excursiones Fuertecharter | Dorado en Fuerteventura
©animalandia.educa.madrid.org

HABITAT
They live in the sea surface, between 5 and 10 meters deep, and they make large migrations throughout their life. They live in shoals in the high sea, but sometimes they are also found near the coast to breed.

There is already evidence of men catching fish of this species from 2600 years BC, as it can be seen in the wall of the Minoan civilization of Crete.

Excursiones Fuertecharter | Dorado en Fuerteventura
©en.wikipedia.org

It is very common to see them through the Canary Islands in summer and autumn seasons, so at this time of year it is an exceptional companion in our excursions.

MORPHOLOGY
This species is characterized by its size and colourful appearance.

Excursiones Fuertecharter | Dorado en Fuerteventura
©www.fishmountstore.com

The usual size is about 100cm long, although up to 200cm specimens have been recorded, weighing 50kgs.

They don’t feature thorns in the anal or dorsal fins, which have soft rays. The dorsal fin runs from the cervical region to the tail and the anal one is shorter, going from the middle of the body to the tail. The caudal fin is forked, and is attached to the body by a stalk, which allows it to swim very fast.

It’s a species created for speed, with very elongated and laterally compressed body. They’re very soft to the touch, as they have really small scales.

They have small, oval and strong teeth, in a big mouth, where the first set is curved backward.

Males have a prominent bulge on the forehead, so they have also been called horned.

But if something makes them truly spectacular to the sight is the colour they feature, ranking as the most colourful fish in the Atlantic: they have golden reflections on their sides, hence their name; blue and green foil on the top and sides, and their bottom is yellow or white.

They have a very vivid colour when they are just taken out of the water, and they seem to be lit on, hence the name of “lampga” (dolphinfish), which could be translated as torch. However this striking colour disappears after a while of being out of the water when they get a grey tone that has nothing to do with their colours in life.

REPRODUCTION
This species reaches sexual maturity between 4 and 5 months old, and they are not very long-lived, since they usually die within six years.

Not much is known about their breeding habits, although it is presumed that they mate several times a year, especially in spring. Eggs are pelagic, and the young specimens remain in the coastal zone until they reach a certain size.

FEEDING
They feed on a variety of small fishes, squids, crustaceans and zooplankton. Horse mackerel, mackerel, anchovies and sardines are the main pillars of their diet, although they love flying fish, which they chase almost to exhaustion.

FISHING
This species is quite coveted among anglers, and for a while it has been valued also for commercial purposes, sometimes still common in markets and fishmongers.

Excursiones Fuertecharter | Dorado en Fuerteventura

It is a species that in its juvenile stage is considered as blue or fatty fish, but adult individuals are considered white or lean fish.

If you want to get first hand knowledge about this amazing species, we recommend you come to one of our trips at this time of year.

FuerteCharter Team

HOLIDAYS IN FUERTEVENTURA WITH CHILDREN

The island of Fuerteventura is a rough diamond, large and wild, with endless beaches to enjoy sunbathing and cristal clear warm waters, where you can play with the waves on the shore, with shovels in the sand or have fun making sand castles.

If you visit the island with your children, nephews, children of friends … it’s good for you to know some of the activities you can do with them, so these become memorable and enjoyable holidays for everyone.

CATAMARAN EXCURSION TO THE ISLAND OF LOBOS
Visiting the island of Lobos, northeast of Fuerteventura, on a catamaran is an activity that kids love, because it is designed for the fun of the whole family. With FuerteCharter, young apprentices will take the helm as true masters, enjoy snorkelling and feeding the small fish from the clear waters of Lobos; they can practise Stand Up Paddle, Kayak, jump into the water in many different ways, and have photos of the whole experience. Fun is guaranteed!

Excursiones Fuertecharter | Vacaciones en Fuerteventura con niños

SURFING LESSONS
The coast of Fuerteventura invites to water sports, highlighting surf as star activity. It’s true it looks like a simple sport, where simply having a table the children can play in the waves on the shore, but on the other hand is a risky sport, because of the currents on beaches, and it has a technique which is very difficult to learn by oneself; so from here we encourage you to contract some surfing lessons for children, because it will be much safer, they will learn more and this will also mean a few hours of relax for parents, leaving their children to instructors, if they want, or perhaps they take heart and sign up for surfing lessons, to share this fun activity with their children.

Excursiones Fuertecharter | Vacaciones en Fuerteventura con niños

AQUA WATER PARK
In the town of Corralejo, you can find this water park with various swimming pools and water slides of different heights and levels of difficulty. There are shallow pools , where the youngest children don’t stop splashing, pools where you can dive and swim, for those who want to be more relaxed, and swimming pools with different attractions, so that the liveliest ones can vent as much adrenaline as possible . There is also a giant jacuzzi and a pool with wavelets.

Acua Water Park, Corralejo

A RIDE BY QUAD
The volcanic and semi-desert landscape of Fuerteventura is ideal for an excursion by quad. There are many companies that will take you for a ride in these vehicles, among volcanoes.
For the youngest guests, there is a closed circuit in Corralejo, so they learn to drive buggies by themselves, safely.

OASIS PARK IN LA LAJITA
If your children enjoy zoos, in Oasis Park in La Lajita (south of the island of Fuerteventura), you will find the zoo with over 250 animal species (giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, chimpanzees, …), and shows of sea ​​lions, reptiles, hawks, eagles, parrots …
In Oasis Park we find the largest camel preserve in Europe, so you can enjoy riding them, and children can also learn how the food that feeds them is cultivated, and you’ll also be taught some interesting facts about this species such as that camel milk has very positive properties for humans, because, among other things, it regulates the levels of sugar in our blood.
The youngest ones will be able to take a pony ride, and there are playground areas with trampolines.
Inside the park, you will also find a spectacular botanical garden, that will appeal to children and adults alike.
Also, on Sunday you will enjoy a craft market, with organic food: fruit, vegetables, cheese … and craft stalls.

©visitcanarias.com
©visitcanarias.com

CLIMBING A VOLCANO
If children are older than 5-6, a really fun and interesting activity is to climb to the top of a volcano.
The volcano of Lajares, Calderon Hondo, has a path leading to the top, from which you can see a perfectly circular volcanic caldera, plus stunning views of the north of the island of Fuerteventura.

Excursiones Fuertecharter | Vacaciones en Fuerteventura con niños
©francisvidicfuerteventura.com

Happy holidays with your little ones!

Fuertecharter Team

Some curiosities of the island of Fuerteventura and the Canary Islands as a whole (part II)

We continue in this new post on our blog telling, tourists and residents, some curiosities on the island of Fuerteventura.


FUERTEVENTURA, THE ELDEST OF THE CANARY ISLANDS
Fuerteventura is the eldest of the Canary Islands. It originated, like the rest of the Canaries, through marine volcanic processes, which began to surface about 22 million years ago, and it is uncommon to find volcanic islands over 6 million years old, so it is a true challenge of nature.
The last volcanic eruption on the island was about 10.000 years ago, and it was the one that formed the Volcano of La Arena, in the municipality of La Oliva, with a magnificent landscape, known as “Malpaís de La Arena”.

Excursiones Fuertecharter | Curiosidades sobre Fuerteventura 2
© cuadernosdeetnografia.blogspot.com


MAXORATA AND JANDÍA
Fuerteventura was originally made up of two separate islands, separated by a sandy isthmus that, after several volcanic episodes, grew and lformed a single island. However, throughout history these two parts continued somewhat divided. When conquerors arrived in Fuerteventura, called Erbania then, the island was divided into two kingdoms: Maxorata (north) and Jandía (south), each ruled by a warrior: Guize in the north and Ayoze in the south. When the conquerors arrived, these great warriors finally laid down their arms and surrendered, along with their men, the island becoming part of the Crown of Castile in 1476. The first capital of the island, Betancuria, is then set (up to XIX century), after the Norman conqueror Jean de Bethencourt.

Excursiones Fuertecharter | Curiosidades sobre Fuerteventura 2
© es.enjoyfuerteventura.net


THE ADJECTIVE “MAJORERO”
At the time of the conquest (XV C.), the word “Maho” was used to refer to the Amazigh people who were on the island of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote when the conquerors arrived. There are two hypotheses of the etymology of the term: first it was thought to come from the Amazigh word “Mahu” which means “to skin, that is, to remove the skin” in relation to a type of footwear made of the skin that was used at the time. Another hypothesis, perhaps best known, assures that it comes from the word Maxorata, the Amazigh “Mahâr-at”, which means sons of the country, and that was the name that was given to what is now the northern part of Fuerteventura, to the isthmus of “La Pared”. Later on, “majorero” began to be used exclusively to refer to the people born in Fuerteventura.


“CANARY BEACH”
Its nearly 80kms of beaches turn this island into the best prepared for bathing and for water sports of all the Canary Islands. Many people from the rest of the islands come to Fuerteventura in summer to spend their holidays, due to the charm of its beaches.

Fuertecharter Fuerteventura | Wind and beaches in Fuerteventura
Los Ojos beach: ©visitfuerteventura.es


BIOSPHERE RESERVE
All the territory of Fuerteventura has been declared Biosphere Reserve since May 2009 due to its wild nature.
Despite its arid nature, this island has a rich biodiversity and is the largest representation of steppe and desert habitats in the whole archipelago, and also in the European Union, being a perfect Geo-paleontological observatory (50 sites with fossil records).
Its marine environment is undoubtedly the richest in the Canary Islands.

STARLIGHT RESERVE
On July 31st2015, the sky of Fuerteventura was definitely acredited with a certificate for the quality of its skies, becoming the third Starlight Reserve in the Canary Islands, with Tenerife and La Palma, out of the 7 existing throughout the world: Sierra Morena and Sierra Sur de Jaén (Andalusia), Montsec (Catalonia), National Park Fray Jorge (Chile)and Acadian Skies and Mi’kmaq Lands (Canada).
With this certificate, Fuerteventura is committed to protecting the quality of their night sky, also associated with cultural, scientific, astronomical, or natural values.

Excursiones Fuertecharter | Curiosidades sobre Fuerteventura 2
© www.tripadvisor.es


FUERTEVENTURA: SEA TURTLES NEST
The coast of Fuerteventura, especially the Jandía peninsula in the south, is one of the favorite places in the world for sea turtles to nest and breed. Out of the 8 species of turtles in the world, 4 of them frequent the “majorera” coasts.


COFETE BEACH: BACKGROUND OF FAMOUS FILM SHOOTINGS
Cofete beach in the municipality of Pájara, has been chosen as setting for Hollywood blockbusters, including “The Planet of the Apes” (1968) and, more recently, the movie “Exodus” (2014), all because of its spectacular landscape.


LIGHTHOUSES IN FUERTEVENTURA
The island of Fuerteventura has 4 lighthouses: one in Cotillo, another one on the island of Lobos, one in “Punta de Jandia” and one of special beauty, the one on “La Entallada”, built on a cliff.

Excursiones Fuertecharter | Curiosidades sobre Fuerteventura 2
© www.panoramio.com


FuerteCharter Team