Esquinzo beach - surfing, swimming & relaxing

Esquinzo beach – beautiful sandy beach and Surfing in the north of Fuerteventura

Until a few years ago, Esquinzo beach here on Fuerteventura was a well-kept secret of the locals, where you could spend a nice day with your loved ones at the weekend, away from the tourist crowds. The somewhat difficult descent down the steep cliff to Esquinzo beach left this gem relatively undiscovered for a long time. If you share a picture of the north beach of Esquinzo on social media, it is often followed by a pertinent comment asking whether the beach isn’t in the south? This is the beach of Esquinzo-Butihondo and the two should not be confused.

What can you expect?

Esquinzo beach – a beach for surfers and beach lovers

Esquinzo beach is located in the municipality of La Oliva, between the towns of Cotillo and Tindaya, specifically at the mouth of the Esquinzo ravine, which gives the beach its name. You will love this beach of Esquinzo not in a classic travel guide or on the relevant travel portals in the tourist tours of the island. Its location makes it difficult to reach the beach.

You have to approach the beach via unpaved paths. On an island like Fuerteventura, whose entire coastline is made up of beaches, a beach like Esquinzo is a beach that stands out from the rest. Esquinzo beach is an unspoiled beach, with no buildings, restaurants or public facilities. It is a beach for nature lovers and surfers.

Esquinzo beach – rocky or very sandy, it depends

Esquinzo Beach is a small bay in the shape of a horseshoe. Although the beach is surrounded by steep cliffs and there are also many rocks on the beach, the ground consists of golden sand and pebbles. It measures just over 300 meters in length and its average width is around 30 meters.

After many storms in winter, it can happen that there is very little sand left on the beach and many rocks appear. A lot of sand has then been carried out to sea. Over the spring and into the summer, however, this sand is then washed up again, grain by grain, and the sandy beach regroups. Like other beaches on the west coast of Fuerteventura, such as Jarugo or Los Molinos, Esquinzo beach is flanked by high cliffs that protect it from the rough sea and prevailing winds.

Esquinzo beach: the best way to get there …

You leave Cotillo at the eastern end of the town and turn off the asphalt road onto a gravel road. Follow this along Playa del Cotillo and continue straight ahead at the last bay of Piedra Playa. Make sure you have a spare tire with you, as the sharp stones have put an end to one or two excursions in the past.

After a few minutes, there is a slight incline. After this incline, turn right and follow the tracks of the dirt road. This will take you to Playa de La Escalera (the stepped beach we describe here!). Drive past the stepped beach and keep driving above the stone cliffs until you see a small, slightly outdated house. Drive past it and then follow the path for another 500 m or so. You will then come to Esquinzo beach.

There are plenty of parking spaces above the cliff. You can also do a great wave check from there.

Special features of Esqzinzo beach near Cotillo

Here you will find a great contrast between the black cliffs and the mountains of fine sand that are constantly being reshaped by the wind. Pure freedom awaits those who don’t just want sun, sand and sea, but simply want to be themselves. Provided the conditions (waves, wind and other people) allow it.

The beauty of Esquinzo beach becomes clear at low tide. At these moments, when the sea line recedes, a dreamlike beach opens up. The wet sand then sometimes looks like an improvised mirror. Rocks, cliffs and bathers as well as surfers are reflected in it. When this natural wonder coincides with the sunset and you are here with the person you care about most, there is almost no better way to start the evening. Here, on Esquinzo beach, you can not only spend the whole day on the beach, but also recall old stories and legends in your mind’s eye.

Esquinzo has been a place of magical rituals since time immemorial . Its proximity to Mount Tindaya has increased the presence of myths and legends. The word Esquinzo probably derives from the aboriginal word esquén. These esquenes or efequenes were meeting places for the mahos, where they performed rituals. In fact, there are still remains of one of these esquenes in the plains of Esquinzo.

La Cueva de las Damas – Stories and legends about the beach of Esquinzo

On the coastal cliff, to the left of the mouth of the Esquinzo ravine, you can still see the mouth of the Cueva de Las Damas, and above it the so-called Corral del Caballo. Both structures are the setting for popular stories in which important figures from Tindaya are the main characters. The Corral del Caballo, a circular structure with cattle-breeding functions, is located directly above the Cueva de las Damas. Its name, according to popular tradition, comes from the fact that this was the place where Ginés de Cabrera kept his horse.

According to the oral tradition of Fuerteventura, Gines de Cabrera lived with his family in the Cueva de las Damas. Ginés de Cabrera was a poor farmer from Tindaya who was engaged to a beautiful local girl. His precarious economic situation was not even enough to pay the dowry, so he had to emigrate and seek his fortune in other countries. His dream woman assured him that she would wait for him and that she would not marry another man. However, as the years passed and she received no news of her lover, the girl’s parents decided to marry her off to another man.

On the day of the wedding between Ginés’ lover and her new suitor, Ginés de Cabrera rode into town on his horse at a gallop – he had only just managed to return from abroad. He entered the church and abducted the girl who was standing at the altar and was about to be married. The couple settled in the Cueva de las Damas. There they raised their seven children. The oldest people in Tindaya claim that this figure really existed and that Ginés de Cabrera died when he fell from the cliff while catching shearwaters.

Esquinzo beach near El Cotillo: a few impressions from the surrounding area

Esqzinzo beach – water temperature and the right wetsuit

Our favorite island of Fuerteventura is geographically and climatically close to the equator. This means that the water temperatures on Fuerteventura fluctuate significantly less throughout the year than on the coasts of mainland Europe.

The warmest temperatures can be found on Esqzinzo beach between August and mid-November. At a pleasant 22 to 23 degrees. The great thing is that you can still go surfing in the fall in board shorts and lycra or neoprene shorts. As on the entire Canary Islands, the water temperatures reach their lowest point in February at 17-18 degrees. Here you need a 3/2 wetsuit, but you can also choose a 4/3 if you’re a bit of a frostbite.

For whom

Those seeking peace and quiet, individual vacationers and surfers feel particularly at home here.

Questions & answers about Esquinzo beach

Is it possible to reach Esquinzo beach by car?

Yes, there is a sand and gravel road that connects El Cotillo with Tindaya. Drive carefully, as the terrain is rocky and many sharp-edged stones could damage your tires. You can park on the cliffs above the beach. Don’t forget to apply the handbrake firmly. To reach the beach, you have to follow a small path and then climb down the cliff in two places.

Is it possible to practice nudism on Esquinzo beach?

Yes, Esquinzo beach is one of the most popular beaches for naturists, as it is located away from the tourist areas.

Is it possible to fish in Esquinzo Beach?

Yes, you can spearfish and fish here if you have the appropriate licenses.

Is it dangerous to swim at Esquinzo beach?

The entire west coast of Fuerteventura is dominated by strong waves. There may be currents here that you cannot see from the beach. Therefore, don’t stray too far from the shore and be extremely careful.

Is there a lifeguard service on Esquinzo beach?

No, there is no lifeguard service in Esquinzo. Also bear in mind that in the event of an accident, the fire department or other rescue services may have to travel several kilometers on unpaved roads or arrive by helicopter. Please do not put your life or the lives of others in danger.

Surfing at Playa del Esquinzo

If you are a surfer, please respect the local surfers on Esquinzo beach in particular and pull back once in a while. A smile will definitely get you further here than a scowl. On good days, it can get pretty crowded here and in summer it is often the only beach that is still running with the constant trade winds. As a result, you’ll find a lot of surfers here.

Is it possible to visit the Cueva de las Damas?

In the past, there was a path that led to the entrance of the cave. Nowadays, to visit the Cueva de las Damas, you have to descend with climbing equipment, as the path that used to give access to the cave has been removed.

Esquinzo beach – Our description in the Spotfinder

A powerful beach break with tube sections. Takes swell from north to west. The large steep cliffs offer protection from the northeast wind. You will definitely find longer waves here than in El Cotillo. Beware of locals – if it’s good, it’s better to back off once. Can be more or less good all year round. You can find even more information and tips about Esquinzo surf beach on the Beach Inspector website.

Esqzinzo – Surfing beach – Conditions