Playa de Esquinzo

Playa de Esquinzo is a long run of golden sand on Fuerteventura's eastern Jandía coast, between Costa Calma to the north and Morro Jable to the south. It splits into named sections — Esquinzo itself, Butihondo, Playa del Matorral — though you cross from one into the next without noticing. Several large resort hotels sit behind the dunes, and while the beach is public, in practice most of the people on it are their guests.

The water is noticeably calmer than on the exposed windward beaches further north: a gentle slope, reliably safe swimming, and sand that is softer and paler than at Cofete or the northern surf beaches. Rocky outcrops at the back of the beach hold small tide pools that children can spend an afternoon on.

It is not a destination beach in the way Sotavento or Cofete are. There is no single thing to come and see, no Atlantic swell, no World Cup. What there is instead is kilometres of swimmable coast with a fraction of the crowd.

Facilities are thin along most of the beach: a few sun lounger sections for hotel guests, the occasional shower, no large public beach bars. If you are not staying at one of the resorts, bring water, snacks, high-factor sunscreen and your own shade — an umbrella or a sun tent. There are decent restaurants inside the hotel complexes a short walk inland if you would rather eat properly.

The snorkelling along the rocks at the southern end is worth the effort. Visibility is usually excellent and there are small reef fish in among the stones. Bring your own mask and fins; rental here is unreliable.

The sea is warm enough to swim in all year, peaking around 22°C in late summer and settling near 19°C in winter. The wind is gentler here than on the exposed coasts, so even on a breezy day you can normally find a sheltered spot without walking far.

An hour's walk south along the sand brings you to Playa del Matorral and Morro Jable — an uninterrupted beach walk, tide permitting.