Jandia Activities Fuerteventura Canary Islands

Jandia

Jandia Activities Fuerteventura Canary Islands

The sea that bathes the shores of the Canary Islands, affected by a cold current from the Caribbean and benefiting from the warm temperatures, has favoured the creation of an unbeatable range of maritime leisure activities throughout the year. Surfing, sailing, windsurfing, diving, water skiing, canoeing ...all possible in the Canary Islands thanks to the excellent conditions, together with a complete range of accommodation and modern infrastructure that attracts thousands every year in search of the best waves, crystal clear waters or the most beautiful pictures of some of the Atlantic's leading marine reserves.

And the Canary Islands, the birthplace of Olympic sailing champions, is a genuine paradise for lovers of the sea and water sports. Unlike the rest of Europe, the eternal spring of the Islands means you can enjoy your favourite water sports all year round. Almost anywhere along the Canary coasts, you will find a company, club or association willing to give enthusiasts a rush of adrenaline. The range of possibilities is enormous: boat trips, treasure hunting in the depths of the ocean, feeding rays and moray eels, canoeing, wet biking, trailing behind a speed boat in a parachute, riding the waves on an inflatable sausage, or a host of alternatives.

The Canaries offer a unique and irresistible variety of attractions for divers, with schools and centres to choose from. The sea beds are unique due to the incredible diversity of fish. More than three hundred species, five of which are native, more than a thousand types of invertebrates and nearly six hundred catalogued algae all live together on this side of the Atlantic.

Diving in the Islands has experienced a spectacular boom over the last four years, making the Archipelago one of the most popular sites in Europe. Although you need official qualifications to dive, looking down through crystal clear waters at the volcanic sea beds full of life is such an impressive natural spectacle that more and more people are being converted every day.

The sea beds of the Canary Islands offer all the special features that are common to volcanic islands in the Atlantic. The leading attractions are the cliffs of the bright, clear beds of Fuerteventura, home to enormous fish, the great submarine canyons of La Palma, the beautiful rock walls full of sessile life of Gran Canaria, Tenerife and La Gomera, the formidable Lanzarote groupers and the depths of El Hierro, with its peculiar tropical fauna.

The Canaries have been the venue for major sailing championships, as high speeds attainable in these waters contribute to the enjoyment of both skipper and crew. There is one form of sailing, however, that is unique: Vela Latina, a kind of gaff rigged lighter. This is a spectacle that is held from April to October, the months of the summer trade winds. Its origins date back to the last century in Gran Canaria, although it is a deep-rooted tradition throughout the Islands. Handmade wooden boats accommodate a crew of twelve to handle the large sail.

All the Canary Islands have also become one of the best places in the world for surfers, who usually meet at the La Cícera beach in Gran Canaria, and on the north coast of Lanzarote. However, for windsurfing, the meccas are the beaches of Sotavento in Fuerteventura, Pozo Izquierdo in Gran Canaria, and El Medano in Tenerife. Both these sports benefit from the fresh, moist trade winds and the continual arrival of rough seas.
Paddle strokes. Another way to discover the Islands from the sea is by canoeing or kayaking. Despite the fact that these are really river sports, enthusiasts will have just as good a time as if they were picking their way through the wildest rapids. With only the help of the paddles, riding a craft that requires skill and balance, you can follow the coastline and enjoy the good weather and the sea at the same time.

No holiday to Fuerteventura is complete without hiring out a board and windsurfing along the Canarian coastline. Whether you are a complete beginner or not, there are plenty of schools that have equipment for hire and instructors on hand. The ideal weather conditions persuaded the PWA (Professional Windsurfers Association) to hold part of their World Tours here every year. Meaning literally "strong wind", Fuerteventura's coastline is famous for its ideal windsurfing conditions. The island is less populated than its neighbours with most of the inhabitants living in the capital of Puerto del Rosario. However it is the second biggest island in the Canaries, only slightly smaller than Tenerife and the island has many unpopulated landscapes including the rippling sand dunes along the north east coast, making this an ideal visit if you are looking for peace and tranquillity.

But the possibilities of the sea are endless. A succession of fine sand beaches and clear waters overlooked by majestic volcanic cliffs is also an invitation to try your hand at water skiing, for which there are many enthusiasts in Fuerteventura. Unlike Tenerife and Gran Canaria, tourism developments are a lot slower on Fuerteventura, the two main resorts happen to be at opposite ends of the island. Corralejo in the north has a bustling town centre with plenty of shops and restaurants to choose from. In the south of the island is Morro Jable. Once a small fishing village, it is now popular with German tourists and offers some of the best sandy beaches in the whole of the Canaries.