Sotavento Beach is a series of fine-sand beaches on the south-east coast of the Jandía peninsula, in Pájara on Fuerteventura. The name is Spanish for "leeward". Behind the sandbars lies a lagoon that fills and drains with the tide, redrawing the shore every few hours. The wind draws windsurfers and kitesurfers, and the beach has water-sports centres and a beach bar-restaurant.
Sotavento Beach
Local name: Playas de Sotavento
Series of fine-sand beaches around a tidal lagoon on the Jandía peninsula, busy with kitesurfers and windsurfers.
- Entrance
- Free; there is no ticket.
- Parking
- Free car park at Risco del Paso, about 330 m away in a straight line; a second car park about 875 m away.
- Difficulty
- Easy: a walk from the car park about 330 m away in a straight line, then soft sand underfoot.
- Transport
- The nearest bus stops are about 4.3 km away in a straight line.
- Advance booking
- Not needed for the beach.
- Hours
- Open at all times.
What makes it special
The first sight comes from above: pale sand, shallow turquoise water and kites hanging over the lagoon.
Every few hours the tide redraws the whole beach. At low water the sandbars spread out and the lagoon breaks into pools. When the sea returns it floods back in, and windsurfers and kitesurfers skim across the full lagoon close enough to watch from the sand.
The water is shallow, and children chase the small fish around their ankles. The beach is made for walking, and photographers get a new layout of water and sand with each tide.
Good to know
- Wind: it gets very windy here. Bring a windproof layer and expect blown sand.
- Tides: check the tide table before you go — the lagoon and sandbars change shape between high and low water.
- Swimming: the sea is shallow and suits children; the small pools left inside the lagoon get messy, so swim elsewhere.
- Shade: the beach is open sand with no natural shade. Bring a hat and sun cover.
- Water: no drinking-water tap nearby — carry your own. Toilets stand about 370 m away.
Getting there
Come by car. The car park at Risco del Paso sits about 330 m away in a straight line, and a second car park lies about 875 m away. The beach comes into view from above as you arrive, and the last stretch is on foot over fine sand.
Toilets stand about 370 m away, and an information board for the GR 131 long-distance trail about 350 m away. Public transport only gets you part of the way: the nearest bus stops are about 4.3 km away in a straight line.
Best time to visit
Best: around high tide on a windy day, when the sea floods the lagoon and the kites come out.
Avoid: the middle of a hot day on the open sand, and any lagoon crossing on a rising tide.
The tide reshapes the shore every few hours, so plan the walk and the swim around the tide table.
Sun & daylight
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Sotavento Beach on the map
The incoming tide fills the lagoon and can cut off anyone walking across it. Cross only on a falling tide, and head back to shore as soon as the water starts to deepen.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Sotavento Beach good for children?
Yes. The sea is shallow and children like the small fish in it. Keep them out of the small pools inside the lagoon, which get messy, and keep an eye on the tide if you cross the lagoon.Can you walk across the lagoon?
Yes, when the tide is low or falling. On a rising tide the water deepens and can cut walkers off mid-crossing, so turn back as soon as it starts to rise.How windy is it?
Very windy at times, which is why kitesurfers and windsurfers come here. Bring a windproof layer and expect sand to blow across the beach.What facilities are there?
There are wind- and kitesurfing centres and a beach bar-restaurant. Toilets stand about 370 m away. There is no drinking-water tap nearby, so bring your own.