Playa del Matorral, also known as Playa de Morro Jable or Playa de Jandía, is a beach of fine sand on the southern shore of the Jandía peninsula in south-west Fuerteventura, next to the town of Morro Jable in the municipality of Pájara. It is about 4.3 km long and 60 m wide on average, and is regularly awarded the Blue Flag. The Morro Jable lighthouse stands on the shore and divides the naturist section from the rest. A coastal stretch of the beach, the Saladar de Jandía salt marsh, has been a protected natural space since 1994.
Matorral Beach
Local name: Playa del Matorral
Four-kilometre beach of fine sand beside Morro Jable, split at the lighthouse into naturist and clothed stretches.
- Entrance
- Free; sun loungers and umbrellas are available to rent.
- Parking
- Two free asphalt car parks, about 435 m and 465 m away in a straight line.
- Difficulty
- Easy: a walk from Morro Jable or from the free car parks about 450 m away, ending on soft sand.
- Transport
- Bus stop Morro Jable – Faro, about 480 m away.
- Advance booking
- Not needed.
- Hours
- Open at any time.
What makes it special
At high tide the sea floods into the Saladar de Jandía, a salt marsh on one stretch of the beach where plants hold out against the salt by storing water in thick, fleshy leaves. The ground under them is compacted silt and clay, laid down by flood after flood. It has been protected since 1994.
The rest is space. The sand runs for about 4.3 km and averages 60 m wide, so even with hotels along the town end there is room to spread out. The water is clear and turquoise, the Morro Jable lighthouse (Faro de Morro Jable) stands as the landmark along the shore, and the steady wind brings out windsurfers, with schools and board rental on the beach. Divers go to two marked zones: El Veril Grande off the lighthouse, and El Veril Chico about 200 m away. Cafés, restaurants and shops line the promenade.
Good to know
- The lighthouse marks the split: naturists use the stretch north of it, clothed bathers the part south towards Morro Jable.
- Sun loungers, umbrellas and showers are on the beach. Beyond the umbrellas you rent, there is no shade on the sand.
- Free public toilets are about 250 m away. There is no drinking-water point nearby, so bring your own.
- Lifeguard posts run along the beach. Check the flag before you go in.
- Windsurfing schools and board rental work from the beach; diving is done in two marked zones off the lighthouse.
Getting there
The beach runs right up to Morro Jable, and from the town you reach it easily on foot or by car. Two free asphalt car parks sit about 435 m and 465 m away in a straight line, and the last stretch is a walk onto the sand. The Morro Jable – Faro bus stop is about 480 m away. Further along, paths lead down to the beach from the main road, the Ruta de las Dunas; these are for walkers only, with no car access to the sand from that side.
Best time to visit
Best: morning, when the sun comes in over the water and the loungers are still free.
Avoid: the middle of a summer day without an umbrella, and any day the lifeguards fly a red flag.
The open sand has no natural shade, and the sea varies from flat calm to heavy waves with surges that run up the beach.
Access & restrictions
The beach is divided at the Morro Jable lighthouse: the stretch north of it is the naturist section, and the part south of it, towards the town, is for clothed bathing. Diving is confined to two marked zones, El Veril Grande off the lighthouse and El Veril Chico nearby. The Saladar de Jandía salt marsh on the shore is a protected natural space (Sitio de Interés Científico).
Sun & daylight
Nearby Places
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Matorral Beach on the map
Waves can build big here, with surges that run far up the sand and currents offshore. Swim near the lifeguard posts, obey the flags and keep your belongings well back from the water.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Playa del Matorral a nudist beach?
Part of it. The Morro Jable lighthouse divides the beach: naturists use the stretch north of it, and the part south towards Morro Jable is for clothed bathing.Is the sea safe for swimming?
The water is clear and often calm, and lifeguard posts run along the beach. On some days the waves are big, with surges up the sand and currents, so watch the flags.Is there free parking near the beach?
Yes. Two free asphalt car parks lie about 435 m and 465 m away, and the beach can also be reached on foot from Morro Jable.Can you windsurf or dive at Playa del Matorral?
Yes. The wind suits windsurfing, and there are schools and board rental on the beach. Diving is done in two marked zones, El Veril Grande off the lighthouse and El Veril Chico about 200 m away.How long is the beach?
About 4.3 km, with an average width of 60 m.