Playa de la Concha is probably the most photographed beach on Fuerteventura — and it is easy to see why. Turquoise lagoons with crystal-clear water, white sand so fine it looks like flour, and natural rock pools that shelter you from the ocean waves. It is a place that looks like the Caribbean, yet lies only a few hours’ flight from London, right next to the fishing village of El Cotillo on the north-western tip of the island.
Lagoons and natural rock pools
What sets La Concha apart from almost every other beach in the Canary Islands is a system of natural reef ridges that create calm lagoons cut off from the open ocean. At high tide, water spills over the reefs and fills the shallow pools with turquoise water. At low tide, some of the pools are only a few dozen centimetres deep — perfect for small children.
The water here is exceptionally clear and warm (it heats up in the shallow pools). The bottom is sandy, with no stones. It is a paradise for snorkelling — small fish, crabs and sea urchins hide in the crevices of the rock. The absence of waves in the lagoons means the sense of safety here is incomparable with other Fuerteventura beaches.
El Cotillo — a village with character
El Cotillo is a former fishing village that in recent years has become a magnet for surfers, digital nomads and travellers seeking the Fuerteventura of before the tourist boom. Narrow streets, a handful of fish restaurants, surf shops and the 17th-century Torre del Tostón watchtower overlooking the ocean. The atmosphere is laid-back and unpretentious — a world away from the resort style of Corralejo or Costa Calma.
The La Concha beaches themselves lie south of the village — you need to drive or walk a few hundred metres past the El Tostón lighthouse. The road runs over sand and gravel but is passable even without a 4×4. Parking is informal — you leave your car on the sand by the beach.
When to go
La Concha is at its most beautiful at low tide — that is when the lagoons are most defined and the turquoise colour of the water is at its most intense. At high tide some of the pools become flooded and waves can wash over the reefs. It is worth checking the tide table before your visit. Wind is present almost always (this is Fuerteventura), but the lagoons are sheltered enough that it does not interfere with bathing.
Practical information
- Type: turquoise lagoons with natural rock pools
- Sand: white, very fine
- Waves: none in the lagoons (reefs block the ocean)
- Best conditions: low tide
- Facilities: none (zero amenities — bring water and food)
- Snorkelling: excellent in the rock crevices
- Parking: informal on the sand, free
- Getting there: from El Cotillo heading south, past the El Tostón lighthouse
Nearby beaches
On the other side of El Cotillo, to the north of the village, stretches a completely different beach — a long section of open coastline with powerful waves, popular with surfers. These are two faces of the same place: calm lagoons to the south and wild ocean to the north. Further east, about 30 minutes’ drive away, lies Corralejo with Grandes Playas de Corralejo — miles of dunes and sandy beaches in a nature park. Both places are well worth visiting on the same day.
Weather at Playa de la Concha
La Concha near El Cotillo is one of Fuerteventura’s most beautiful beaches – turquoise lagoons sheltered by a natural reef. Despite being on the northwest coast, temperatures stay warm year-round. Check the weather forecast for Corralejo, the nearest resort.