Los Charcos de Cotillo
El Cotillo - Spain
Spot Type
Flat
Water
Crystal Clear
Beach
Sand
Rider Lever
beginner
Spot characteristics
Spot Type
Flat
Rider Skill
beginner
Crowd
Seasonal Crowd
Beach Type
Sand
Water Quality
Crystal Clear
Tide Influence
All tide levels with different conditions (chop - flat - wave)
Description of Los Charcos de Cotillo (Spain)
Los Charcos de Cotillo, up on the northwest coast of Fuerteventura, is one of those spots you keep coming back to just because of how relaxed and easy it is to score some decent sessions without the stress. The spot is known for its flat water — and I mean really flat — thanks to the natural rocky barriers that form these tidal pools (locals call them “charcos”), which keep the chop out when the swell is up.
That’s a major win if you're just starting out or looking to dial in your freestyle or freeride tricks without fighting constant bumps. During low or mid-tide, the water can get super glassy, especially in the early morning or late afternoon when the wind is stable. There’s zero swell most days in the lagoon, though if you venture just outside during high tide, a few playful rollers sneak in. Wind is pretty consistent, especially in the peak season from June through September. Expect N to NNW wind, averaging around 15–20 knots most days during that window, with the occasional 22-knot gust if you’re lucky.
Mornings tend to start soft, ramping up around noon into the evening. Outside the summer months, it can still blow, but it’s more hit and miss — nothing like the clockwork trade winds you get mid-year. The beach is all sand, no brutal shell or pebble hassles, which makes launching nice and easy. Beginners can take their time without worrying about launching into a rocky mess. More experienced riders make good use of the space to loop around and dial tricks in comfort. The access is public and pretty chilled — park up nearby (though it can get tight during the busiest summer weeks), walk a few meters over the sand, and you’re in. You’ve got shallow, sandy-bottomed water almost all around, though keep an eye on the sharper rock edges that peek out in some outer sections of the pools (especially at lower tide).
Locals are mellow, and there aren't any restrictive rules posted — it’s more about being polite than regulated. The scene here is mellow too, not overly commercialized. There are a few kiters teaching lessons or enjoying a long session, but no massive schools or packed lineups. That said, summer weekends might see a small surge, mostly tourists and a few seasoned regulars trying to catch that summertime consistency.
El Cotillo, just 5 km down the road, offers all your pre-session needs — snacks, post-session cerveza, surf shops, or a quick top-up run for wax or kite parts. Honestly, it’s probably one of the better beginner-friendly spots in the Canaries where you can grow your skills without anyone barking at you from the water. Gear-wise, it’s light- to medium-wind stuff most of the time. Freeriders and level 2–3 freestylers are going to enjoy the conditions most. Not a big-air mecca or a wave spot, but for fine-tuning and solo progression? One of the easiest spots to just ride, chill, and repeat.
Spot best suited for
Spot profile
Travel spot
The typical kite travel destination, it is known for its great conditions, and kiters from around the world come here for their vacations.
Family spot
Located in an area that offers amenities for all the family and can provide good alternatives for everyone when the kiters are in the water.
Equipment
A shorty wetsuit will be fine most of the year, though in winter or early spring sessions, a 3/2 full wetsuit helps extend your water time comfortably. Shoes are optional but useful if you're walking through the tidal pools or across the rocky patches on the edges of the beach.
Wind Conditions
Main wind directions
% of Windy days per month
Wind Speed Range
From 10 to 22 Knots
Suggested sizes
Forecast on Windy.com
Dangers
There’s no lifeguard, no immediate kite shop, and no quick exit if something goes wrong—so take that into account before launching. The biggest safety consideration at Piedra Playa is the cluster of large volcanic rocks on the beach and in the shore break, especially just off the central launch area. These rocks are clearly visible most of the time, but during high tide or big swell, they can become submerged. That’s not where you want to be if you're tangled or doing a sketchy landing.
The waves here can form sharp shorebreaks (locally called 'olón') that snap hard, especially on a dropping tide. If you're launching or coming in during one of these phases, time it well or you’re going to get worked. For newer riders, this caught-inside risk is real—always keep some distance from the cliffs on either side of the bay because there’s not much bailout zone. Self-rescue is possible and the beach is long, but the wind can gust around the cliffs when it shifts northwest sharply. Make sure your kite setup is tuned—lines clean, safety releases tested.
The place feels isolated too; cell service is hit or miss down by the beach, so make a plan with your crew ahead of time. Don’t ride solo, and bring a drybag with basic essentials. No restroom, no shade, no vendors—it’s raw, so don’t expect help from folks around you. Keep an eye on changing wind angles, and get familiar with the drop-off zones—there’s deep water with pitching sets depending on swell direction.
Location
Closest City
El Cotillo
How to get There
The nearest international airport is Fuerteventura Airport (FUE), about 50 km away. From there, pick up a rental car — easiest and fastest way — and drive northwest to El Cotillo. The drive takes roughly an hour, and you’ll follow well-marked roads. Once in El Cotillo, continue toward the northern beaches on local dirt tracks. Los Charcos sits just outside the main town with visible parking nearby and short walking paths down to the water.
Access
The spot is publicly accessible and free to enter, but reaching it requires navigating an offroad coastal track outside El Cotillo. While not technically a private road, it is unpaved and rugged, so it’s best done in a high-clearance or 4x4 rental. Normal cars can make it but risk bottoming out in spots. There are no facilities or signs—just natural terrain leading to a wide sandy beach.
What to do besides kitesurfing
El Cotillo is a laid-back base that’s perfect for kitesurf travelers who want real wind without the resort vibe that’s taken over other spots in Fuerteventura. The town sits just above Piedra Playa and has everything you need without being flashy—a solid handful of local bars, nice sunset restaurants, tapas joints, and a supermarket for camping or long-stay backpackers. The night scene is mellow; think quiet beers, not beach parties.
Gear rentals and basic repairs can be handled at shops in town, though gear selection can be limited, so bring what you rely on most.
Accommodation runs from surf lodges to boutique hotels and self-catered apartments. No high-rises here. If you’re planning rest days (or the wind dies out), there’s as much to enjoy on land: the cliffside hikes right above Piedra offer panoramic ocean views, and down by the harbor you’ll get a dose of the island’s fishing village roots still intact. History buffs can check out El Tostón castle for a quick cultural detour. For food, don’t skip La Vaca Azul—grilled octopus with a cold Dorada after a long session hits differently here.
There’s also a few bakeries and pizza spots in town that understand post-kite hunger. If you're mobile, drive 20-30 minutes north or south and you’ll find other riding spots with different conditions, making Piedra a great base camp if you're chasing the right wind and swell setups.
Just know that beyond El Cotillo, you won’t find much until Corralejo or La Oliva, so stock up on basics before heading out. And while it's not a family-perfect, lounge-on-the-beach kind of scene, dedicated kiters who've outgrown noisy kite stations and jammed-up launch zones will find peace and play here. The sunsets from above the cliffline are reason alone to pause each evening, kite deflated, with a camera or cold drink in hand. You’ll want to stay longer than planned—and that’s not a bad thing.