10 Interesting Facts About Fuerteventura

Updated 8 November 2026 · 3 min read

Fuerteventura is best known for its long beaches and reliable sunshine, but there is much more to the island than sun loungers. These ten facts are a good way to get children interested in where they are going, and some of them make great starting points for days out.

1. It is the second largest Canary Island

At around 1,660 square kilometres, Fuerteventura is second in size only to Tenerife. It is long and narrow, so the drive from the north of the island to the southern tip takes well over an hour.

2. It is also the oldest

Fuerteventura is generally thought to be the oldest of the Canary Islands, formed by volcanic activity around 20 million years ago. Millions of years of wind and weather have worn its volcanoes into the smooth, rounded hills and wide plains you see today.

3. It is the closest Canary Island to Africa

Only around 100 kilometres of sea separate Fuerteventura from the coast of Morocco. That is why the island feels so dry and sunny, and why the occasional hazy, dusty wind from the Sahara, known locally as the calima, can drift across.

4. There is no jet lag from the UK

Although it is much further south, the Canary Islands use the same time as the UK all year round. For families, that means no body-clock disruption and no battles over bedtime, which is a big part of its appeal for a short winter-sun break.

5. It is one of the sunniest places in Europe

The island is often said to enjoy around 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, roughly double what most of the UK gets. Rain is rare, but the wind blows much of the time, which keeps it feeling fresh and can hide how strong the sun is.

6. It has a desert of sand dunes

The dunes of Corralejo, in the north of the island, are a protected natural park. The pale sand is often described as blown over from the Sahara, but it is largely made of crushed shells and other remains of sea creatures. Children love running down the dunes, so take water and sun protection.

7. Goats are everywhere

Goats have long been part of island life, and they are said to outnumber people. Their milk is used to make Majorero, the island's well-known cheese, which has protected status in Spain. Keep an eye out for herds wandering across the hillsides.

8. Lobos Island was named after seals

The tiny Isla de Lobos lies a short boat ride from Corralejo. Its name comes from the monk seals, or "sea wolves", that once lived there. The seals have long gone, but the island is a nature reserve with walking trails, a lighthouse and a sheltered lagoon for paddling.

9. It is home to a rare vulture

Fuerteventura is the stronghold of the Canarian Egyptian vulture, a rare bird known locally as the guirre, with a much smaller population on neighbouring Lanzarote. Spotting one gives young birdwatchers serious bragging rights.

10. The whole island is a biosphere reserve

In 2009 UNESCO declared Fuerteventura and its surrounding waters a biosphere reserve, recognising its landscapes, wildlife and marine life. It is a good prompt for a conversation with children about leaving beaches and dunes as you found them.

Tip: the steady wind makes Fuerteventura a world-famous spot for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Even if your children are too young to try it, watching the kites over the water is a free afternoon's entertainment.

With facts like these up your sleeve, even a simple beach day becomes a chance to learn something. To plan your trip, see our family guide to Fuerteventura and our advice on beach holidays with children.