Scillypete
Well-Known Member
Fuerteventura anchorages
I shall start at the bottom as that's the way went. with all the anchorages getting ashore can be an issue if there is any swell running but not impossible.
Just inside Punta Jandia is Puertito a good spot when the conditions are right and mentioned in the out of date pilot books. Between there and Morro Jable there are numerous coves and beaches that provide reasonable anchorages there are a few rocky patches and care needs to be taken getting ashore in the dinghy as closer in to the beaches there may be outcrops of ledges keep yer eyes peeled. The holding is invariably very good in sand, the water is clear mostly so you can see the pick going in.
At Morro Jable at present it is possible to anchor just outside off the beach and dinghy into the harbour, anchor far enough away from the entrance to allow the ferry to do its three point turn to reverse into its berth. You can also anchor inside the harbour where the marina is supposed to be and may materialise one day.
Morro Jable harbour
Just around the corner is the tourist resort and a very long beach all the way out to the point. it is possible to anchor off this beach in about four metres and just land the dinghy anywhere amongst the mostly naked sunbathers. closer to the town is better but be aware that there is a valley behind the town and as the air cools in the evening the wind will gust strongly down it into that part of the anchorage, it is possible to avoid the worst by anchoring in front of the high dune fairly close in, but not too close.
Anchored off the resort at Morro Jable
When we went around the corner the wind and swell meant we couldn't use any of the anchorages around the 'Costa Calma' area, but in the right conditions they would certainly be worth an explore. I was also told that with my 1 metre draft I would be able to get into the lagoon at the south end of Sotovento but not to try it if there was swell breaking n the reef which there was. we looked at La Lajita (mentioned in the Pilot books) but there was a good run on the beach and we needed to land in the dinghy so we went by but it did look very good.
We stopped then just around the corner at Tarajalejo which was much more sheltered, anchored in 3.5 metres just outside of the small boat moorings which are placed off a small quay, the holding was brilliant in sand. you can land the dinghy in the corner at the root of the quay or as we did just by going to the steps or ladder at the quay itself also there is a slipway to land at on the other side of the quay hidden from view but just go around the seaward end of the quay in toward the base of the cliff and there is a good slipway. Very nice little town some bars and restaurants and a spar supermarket.
Between Tarajalejo and Gran Tarajal there are numerous coves and little beaches all of which would provide enough shelter to anchor we could have spent weeks exploring along this shore. Gran Tarajal has a huge anchorage outside the harbour just to the east is a big bay and offers very good shelter.
From there the conditions prevented us from stopping anywhere along this shore until we got to Puerto del Rosario where we anchored in the western part of the harbour the opposite side of the cruise liner quay, there are a few moorings in there but ample space for several boats to anchor depth ranged from 4 metres to 8, we landed the dinghy at the slipway outside the sailing club and hauled it up out of the way.
Again going up the coast the conditions meant we couldn't investigate the shore to closely but we did get to stop at Isla de Lobos, anchor in about 5 to 6 metres over sand but there are some rocky patches but the water is clear so just look down first. The pilot book said that shoal draft boats can get into the lagoon over the rocky bar which according to the pilot book has 1.2 metres over it . . . . . don't believe a word of it, we were there on springs and was going to go in but it didn't look right so I anchored off, sure enough the rocky bar dried completely by about half a metre. The island is a nature reserve and totally deserted once the tourists leave in the afternoon, some great walking to be had here. It says that dogs are not allowed but we didn't know til we arrived and the pooch needed exercise so we went ashore with him anyway.
Looking into the lagoon at Isla de Lobos about an hour before low water
Well that's all I have on Fuerteventura hope its of some help and if you plan to go factor in plenty of time to explore the anchorages. The pilot books mention some anchorages and say they are good for the day but to my mind if you've been anchored all day and not moved then it shouldn't be any different through the night so long as the weather is settled.
I shall start at the bottom as that's the way went. with all the anchorages getting ashore can be an issue if there is any swell running but not impossible.
Just inside Punta Jandia is Puertito a good spot when the conditions are right and mentioned in the out of date pilot books. Between there and Morro Jable there are numerous coves and beaches that provide reasonable anchorages there are a few rocky patches and care needs to be taken getting ashore in the dinghy as closer in to the beaches there may be outcrops of ledges keep yer eyes peeled. The holding is invariably very good in sand, the water is clear mostly so you can see the pick going in.
At Morro Jable at present it is possible to anchor just outside off the beach and dinghy into the harbour, anchor far enough away from the entrance to allow the ferry to do its three point turn to reverse into its berth. You can also anchor inside the harbour where the marina is supposed to be and may materialise one day.
Morro Jable harbour
Just around the corner is the tourist resort and a very long beach all the way out to the point. it is possible to anchor off this beach in about four metres and just land the dinghy anywhere amongst the mostly naked sunbathers. closer to the town is better but be aware that there is a valley behind the town and as the air cools in the evening the wind will gust strongly down it into that part of the anchorage, it is possible to avoid the worst by anchoring in front of the high dune fairly close in, but not too close.
Anchored off the resort at Morro Jable
When we went around the corner the wind and swell meant we couldn't use any of the anchorages around the 'Costa Calma' area, but in the right conditions they would certainly be worth an explore. I was also told that with my 1 metre draft I would be able to get into the lagoon at the south end of Sotovento but not to try it if there was swell breaking n the reef which there was. we looked at La Lajita (mentioned in the Pilot books) but there was a good run on the beach and we needed to land in the dinghy so we went by but it did look very good.
We stopped then just around the corner at Tarajalejo which was much more sheltered, anchored in 3.5 metres just outside of the small boat moorings which are placed off a small quay, the holding was brilliant in sand. you can land the dinghy in the corner at the root of the quay or as we did just by going to the steps or ladder at the quay itself also there is a slipway to land at on the other side of the quay hidden from view but just go around the seaward end of the quay in toward the base of the cliff and there is a good slipway. Very nice little town some bars and restaurants and a spar supermarket.
Between Tarajalejo and Gran Tarajal there are numerous coves and little beaches all of which would provide enough shelter to anchor we could have spent weeks exploring along this shore. Gran Tarajal has a huge anchorage outside the harbour just to the east is a big bay and offers very good shelter.
From there the conditions prevented us from stopping anywhere along this shore until we got to Puerto del Rosario where we anchored in the western part of the harbour the opposite side of the cruise liner quay, there are a few moorings in there but ample space for several boats to anchor depth ranged from 4 metres to 8, we landed the dinghy at the slipway outside the sailing club and hauled it up out of the way.
Again going up the coast the conditions meant we couldn't investigate the shore to closely but we did get to stop at Isla de Lobos, anchor in about 5 to 6 metres over sand but there are some rocky patches but the water is clear so just look down first. The pilot book said that shoal draft boats can get into the lagoon over the rocky bar which according to the pilot book has 1.2 metres over it . . . . . don't believe a word of it, we were there on springs and was going to go in but it didn't look right so I anchored off, sure enough the rocky bar dried completely by about half a metre. The island is a nature reserve and totally deserted once the tourists leave in the afternoon, some great walking to be had here. It says that dogs are not allowed but we didn't know til we arrived and the pooch needed exercise so we went ashore with him anyway.
Looking into the lagoon at Isla de Lobos about an hour before low water
Well that's all I have on Fuerteventura hope its of some help and if you plan to go factor in plenty of time to explore the anchorages. The pilot books mention some anchorages and say they are good for the day but to my mind if you've been anchored all day and not moved then it shouldn't be any different through the night so long as the weather is settled.
