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Kitesurfing Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
All you need to know

Contents

Learn to kitesurf

Learning to kitesurf is an exhilarating adventure that anyone with a basic level of fitness can enjoy, regardless of age, especially in Fuerteventura. Imagine the wind rushing through your hair as you glide across the water, feeling the thrill of harnessing nature’s power to ride the waves. It’s an experience that words alone can’t capture, and, contrary to popular beliefs, you don’t need great strength to learn to kitesurf.

Thanks to the harness that distributes the kite’s pull across your body, kitesurfing relies more on balance and coordination than pure power. However, it’s still essential to learn kitesurfing from certified, experienced instructors who can teach you not only how to control the kite and the board but also how to read the wind, navigate the waves, and, most importantly, stay safe. Like any sport, kitesurfing carries risks, but with proper training, these can be managed effectively.

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Is it difficult to learn kitesurfing?

IT can be challenging to learn to kitesurf, especially if you’ve never tried board sports like skateboarding, surfing, or snowboarding, or wind sports such as windsurfing, paragliding, or wing foiling. The biggest challenge is managing the kite and board while staying aware of the wind and waves. Having experience in similar sports and learning from the right instructor can make a big difference in how quickly you progress.

It’s never a good idea to learn to kitesurf on your own or with someone who lacks proper certification. To safely learn to kitesurf, you need expert guidance, as many aspects of the sport are counterintuitive. Without professional instruction, you could end up in dangerous situations. It’s always best to learn to kitesurf surrounded by certified instructors who can ensure your safety and progress.

The time it takes to learn to kitesurf is quite hard to predict and, as mentioned above, can vary depending on your experience with similar sports. Generally, to learn the basics of kitesurfing, you will need between 9 and 12 hours of practice. By this point, you should be able to stand up and take your first rides. You need a few hours more to ride independently.

Choose your Private Kitesurfing Instructor

Our review system focuses on individual instructors, not just the school. You can read feedback from past students to get a clear sense of each instructor’s strengths before choosing. We prioritise human connections, making personalised relationships the core of our teaching approach for a more effective kitesurfing experience.

Personal Kite Coach Better than a Kitesurfing School

It's hard to choose a kitesurfing school

Choosing a kitesurfing school can be tricky. With so many schools in one spot, it’s hard to tell them apart, and their offerings often seem similar and unclear. While Google Maps reviews might seem reliable, they can be bought, and bad reviews removed. Sadly, many schools take advantage of this practice.

What people don't know

Most kitesurfing schools pay their instructors so poorly that many barely make it through the season. This is absurd, given the price they make pay for a lesson and the crucial role of the instructor. As a result, there’s high turnover which means reviews on Google Maps often referring to instructors who have already left the school you are reading the reviews for. For you this means not knowing what you are buying.

With us, you choose your instructor and know exactly what you’re getting!

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Male holding a kite giving a class to a female beginner kitesurfer smiling

Beginner Kitesurfing Lessons, what to expect.

Kitesurfing Lesson 1. Guy flying a kite assisted by a kitesurf instructor.

Kite Lesson 1
Beach fly

‣ Understanding of the wind theory
‣ Safety systems and equipment discovery
‣ Kite control exercises from the beach

Kitesurfing lesson 2. Guy body dragging with board in fuerteventura

Kite Lesson 2
Entering the water

‣ Quick refresher kite control (Lesson 1)
‣ Drag your body in the water with the kite
‣ Learn to generate power with the kite

Kitesurfing lesson 3. Guy with orange helmet kitesurfing in Fuerteventura

Kite Lesson 3
Riding

‣ Quick refresher body dragging (Lesson 2)
‣ Take off with the board (water start)
‣ Start working on having longer rides

Most kitesurfing schools offer both kitesurfing lessons and courses. A course is always a good idea for a beginner, in this you will learn all the foundational concepts of kitesurfing. Experienced riders can benefit from individual lessons to refine skills, unlock specific advanced tricks, or explore new kite spots.

There’s no set formula, but kitesurfing beginner lessons are typically offered in sets of three or four, as this is usually what’s needed to learn the basics of kitesurfing. By the third lesson, you’ll attempt your first “water start” (stand up on the board and start a ride) and by the fourth, you’ll likely work on longer rides and maintaining a steady speed. However, more time is required to become an independent rider. Speed of progress is also affected by your previous experience with similar sports.

Progress faster in kitesurfing

Progress in kitesurfing depends on the time spent mastering your kite and board, but it also relies heavily on your instructor’s ability to offer the right guidance at the right moment. The more time spent with a skilled instructor, the better your results. For a guide for more advanced skills make sure you take a look to this post of Lasse Walker.

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Kitesurfing Canary Islands, Fuerteventura | Best Spots

Kitesurfing holidays in Fuerteventura are always an excellent choice. First of all because the kitesurfing season is very long in Fuerteventura, it goes on all the way from November until mind-August and slows down only in September and October and as if this is (to know more see Fuerteventura: Weather and Fun Things to Do).

Flag Beach Fuerteventura - Corralejo (sea)

Level

Everyone

Crowd

Reasonable, medium

Waves

Choppy, small

Dangers

Offshore wind, rocks

Flag Beach, also known as “Grandes Playas de Corralejo,” along with Sotavento Lagoon, is one of the most iconic Fuerteventura kitesurfing spots, offering stunning views of Isla de Lobos and the closest spot to kitesurf in Corralejo. Flag beach suits all levels, with a large, uncrowded area featuring quite flat water and ramps for advanced kiters. It works best with a north-west wind, but beware of offshore conditions. We recommend to avoid heading out at Flag Beach during low tide, as rocks near the shore can make entering and exiting tricky. Best place for a beach fly lesson as the beach is huge.

Piedra Playa - El Cotillo (sea)

Level

Everyone

Crowd

Empty, Uncrowded

Waves

Choppy, medium

Dangers

Shore break

Piedra Playa in El Cotillo is one of the best and safest kitesurfing spots in Fuerteventura, especially for wave enthusiasts. It works with all western and northern winds, and part of the large beach is dedicated to kitesurfing, with its own access. It’s perfect for beginners practising upwind riding with consistent side-on winds. The shore break, which increases with the tide especially in the winter months, is excellent for wave riders but can be challenging for beginners. Be mindful that northern winds often create a wind hole near the shore. Best place for safely practice upwind riding lessons thanks to side on wind.

Faro del Tostón Lagoon - El Cotillo (lagoon)

fuerteventura kitesurf spots: lagoon del toston, faro del toston

Level

Everyone

Crowd

Crowded

Waves

Flat - none

Dangers

Rocks around

The lagoon at Faro del Tostón is, for many—including us—the best flatwater spot in Fuerteventura. Why? It boasts the most consistent wind on the island, making it perfect for freestyle and big air enthusiasts. It’s also one of the safest spots, as no matter what, you can always make it back to the beach.

The downside is you need to wait for high tide, and it can get crowded fast. The spot consists of two small lagoons: a very tiny, shallow one less than 50m wide, mostly used by schools and fitting 2-3 people, and a larger lagoon about 200m wide, suitable for around a dozen more experienced kiters. The latter is best for all levels, though being able of handling crowds is necessary when busy. Best place for practicing lesson 2 and lesson 3, bodydragging and waterstart.

Sotavento Lagoon - Costa Calma (lagoon/sea)

fuerteventura kitesurfing spots: sotavento lagoon, kitesurfing fuerteventura costa calma, kitesurfing sotavento fuerteventura

Level

Everyone

Crowd

Empty (sea), Crowded (lagoon)

Waves

None - Flat

Dangers

Offshore wind, gusty wind

If you’re a kitesurfer visiting Fuerteventura, Sotavento Lagoon is a must. It’s windy almost every day, as the hills behind the lagoon channel and strengthen the wind, making it a reliable spot for kitesurfing. During new and full moons, the tide rises so high that it covers most of the beach, creating a stunning natural spectacle and an ideal flatwater spot. Sotavento Lagoon is shallow and perfect for beginners, with a sandbank offering protection from offshore winds. While it can get busy during high season, the sea remains quiet (good for experienced kiters). Be prepared for strong, gusty winds.

Pro tip: (A) Risco del Paso offers more consistent wind, while (B) the dirt road behind the Melia Hotel gives access to the longest-lasting lagoon in Sotavento, though it’s gustier.

More frequently asked questions

Kitesurfing can seem expensive compared to many sports, but it’s actually cheaper than winter sports like skiing or snowboarding, or even wakeboarding. Once you’ve invested in your equipment, there are no ongoing membership or rental fees, making it more affordable in the long run.

Getting into kitesurfing isn’t cheap, but it’s not prohibitive. You’ll need at least a 9-hour course to start (ours begin at €290). After that, you’ll need equipment: a kite, board, harness, wetsuit, and control bar. A second-hand set, ideal for beginners, costs around €1000 (always seek guidance from a trusted and knowledgeable coach or friend). New gear, however, can quickly reach €3000 or more.

The time needed to learn kitesurfing varies. Generally, about 9 hours of kite control is required to grasp the basics and start your first rides, especially if you have experience with similar board sports. In many cases, it may take around 12 hours to fully master the basics and start enjoying some longer rides. You can be fully autonomous in the water within the first 20 hours of practice

No one is too old to learn kitesurfing. In fact, it’s quite common for people to start later in life, and it’s not unusual to see riders over 60 enjoying themselves on the water. Kitesurfing doesn’t require a lot of strength or fitness; coordination and balance are the key skills to get started.

Kitesurfing does come with risks. For beginners, the main danger is the sudden pull or lift from the kite if the control bar isn’t used properly. To minimise these risks, it’s crucial to understand the sport’s mechanics and principles and to have supervised practice, which should be guided by experienced kitesurfing instructors.

It didn’t help? Don’t worry, reach out to us! We are always here to help you out.