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Catch some sun on the man-made Caleta de Fuste Beach

© Creative Commons / Alfonso Jiménez's

Caleta de Fuste Beach

Caleta de Fuste is a man-made, low-rise resort catering for north European visitors looking for a home-from-home holiday experience. The beach and the port are the centres of attention with boat trips and windsurfing providing the main alternatives to sunbathing. There is also a championship golf course within the resort.

Beach

Caleta de Fuste Beach is set around a bay and offers a broad stretch of dark man-made sand, shelving very gently into the water. It may be one of the less attractive beaches on the island but there is plenty of room for everyone and it is ideal for young families. It is also a good place to learn windsurfing with schools on or close by the beach.

Beyond the beach

The port is home to watersports operators offering jet-skiing, windsurfing and diving. Sea excursions include the Oceanarium Explorer, a glass-bottom submarine-style craft (it doesn't actually dive!), and a catamaran which boasts a high success rate spotting dolphins and whales. On the other side of the main road, 2km (1.2 miles) from the beach, is Fuerteventura Golf Club (www.fuerteventuragolfclub.com). Although this is a championship course, no handicap is required to play here. In addition, there are another four courses around the island.

Family fun

Caleta de Fuste has been designed with families in mind and children are accommodated everywhere. Younger kids will enjoy the various play areas and older children will enjoy the 'submarine' excursion. Adjacent to the beach are trampolines and mini golf. There is a 10-pin bowling alley on the main Carretera Jandía road and several amusement arcades.

Exploring further

Antigua, the provincial centre, 20km (12.5 miles) west of Caleta de Fuste, is a best-kept village with a pretty square featuring an 18th-century church. Just north of here the Centro Artesanía Molino (Carretera Antigua Km 20) is a re-created small village-style complex, set around a 200-year-old windmill. It includes a craft shop, museum and an attractive restaurant. A 'must visit' is the ancient island capital, Betancuría, 25km (15.5 miles) west. Founded in 1404 by the Spanish island conquerors, today it is no bigger than a village. Many of its houses date from the 17th and 18th centuries. In the centre the Casa Santa María (Plaza Iglesia) is a beautiful Spanish-Colonial house which showcases the island's crafts, culture and history. It has an atmospheric bar, a charming outdoor cafe-restaurant and a more formal restaurant which is one of the best on the island.

Splashing out

For fine dining visit St Andrews restaurant at the 5-star Hotel Elba Palace Golf. The restaurant has Canarian-style interior patio and views of the garden from the external patio, and live music shows on occasion. If you would like to experience the latest in spa technology visit the beachfront Hotel Barcelo Fuerteventura Thalasso Spa.

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