The south of Fuerteventura keeps its wildest face inside the Jandía Natural Park: bare mountains dropping to the Atlantic, mile-long beaches without a single parasol and fishing villages at the end of the world. The icon is Cofete beach, more than twelve kilometres of untouched sand at the foot of the massif, with the bulk of Pico de la Zarza (the island's highest point, 807 m) behind it. It's a landscape unlike anything else on Fuerteventura.
Why you visit Cofete by 4x4
Cofete is reached by a narrow, winding dirt track that crosses the mountain from Morro Jable. It isn't paved, it's shared in both directions and many rental-car contracts expressly forbid driving on it (if you have a mishap, the insurance won't cover it). That's why the comfortable, safe way to go is a guided 4x4 safari: someone who knows the track drives, and you enjoy the scenery without taking the risk.
4x4 Safari Adventure: Explore Cofete and Jandía Natural ParkCheck availability →What you see along the way
- Cofete beach: twelve kilometres of wild sand beneath the Jandía massif, one of the most striking sights in the Canary Islands.
- Villa Winter: the enigmatic mansion above the beach, surrounded by never-confirmed legends; a must-stop for its history and its views.
- Punta de Jandía lighthouse: at the island's south-western tip, at the end of another track, next to the little village of El Puertito de la Cruz.
- El Puertito de la Cruz: a handful of fishermen's houses where you can eat fresh fish by the sea.
Many routes combine Cofete with the lighthouse and the village, and some stop at viewpoints where you can see the whole beach from high on the mountain. If you prefer a version with more stops and less track, there are tours that cover the 4x4 route at a different pace.
4x4 Safari Tour to Jandía and Cofete Natural ParkCheck availability →The important warning: you can't swim safely at Cofete
If you're more into the quiet south —villages, viewpoints and scenery without so much track— there are routes that discover the south of the island at a gentler pace, ideal for a first taste.
Landscapes, villages, and beaches: Discover southern FuerteventuraCheck availability →Cofete and Jandía are the wildest and most photogenic Fuerteventura, and seeing them by 4x4 is the way to enjoy them without worrying about the track. Book ahead in high season and give it a morning or a full day: the landscape is well worth it.