Guide : Kite Trip à Fuerteventura.

Claire and Jérôme share their experiences from their KiteTrip to Fuerteventura and offer recommendations for making the most of your time there. 

Travel Period and Conditions

The best time to practice kitesurf, WingFoil, and Windsurf in Fuerteventura is from late February to early March. During this period, you'll enjoy pleasant temperatures ranging between 20 and 23°C during the day and around 17°C at night. The ocean water is around 19°C, while the lagoon can reach 25-27°C. Take advantage of this window to escape winter while experiencing ideal riding conditions.

Preparing Your Board Bag

Since my first lesson, I've been using Duotone gear and haven't strayed. I ride a Duotone Dice SLS, which is perfect for my surf and foil sessions, and ideal for my wife's freeride. On paper, we should have brought 8, 10, and 12 m² kites, a twintip each (Jaime SLS and Soleil), as well as my foil. But this time, we traveled light and rented on-site, which allowed us to test kites we don't usually use.

Travel and Logistics

The round-trip flight from Nantes to Fuerteventura with Transavia costs approximately €600, including a cabin bag and one checked suitcase. At the airport, numerous vehicle rental options are available; a small SUV costs around €280, perfect for exploring the island freely.

Accommodation

We recommend the MELIA hotel, located fifty minutes from the airport and at the foot of the watersports spots. The hotel offers a multitude of activities for those who don't want to ride or for families: Pool, tennis, padel, spa, gym, aqua gym, zumba, yoga, pool biking, stretching, live music… it's impossible to get bored!

The hotel offers an all-inclusive dining option, providing a variety of meals available over extended hours. A half-board option is also available, complemented by snack bar access for convenient and quick bites. The sea-view rooms feature quality bedding, ample storage, and a spacious balcony, ideal for relaxing or drying your watersports gear.

The Sotavento Spot:

The ocean side of the Sotavento spot is reserved for experienced riders: only a few beginners venture there. It's incredible that the spot isn't overcrowded! We didn't see more than 20 kites on the water in the middle of the afternoon. Located just behind the mountains, it offers flat, blue, and transparent water. It's mainly practiced with offshore North and Northeast winds (trade winds) that accelerate between the two mountain ranges.

The spot is marked into three zones: Windsurf, WingFoil, and Kitesurf. Supervision is provided from 10 am to 5 pm, and in case of a problem, rescue intervenes quickly to help you or bring you back to the spot for a fee of €50.

If you opt for equipment rental, no repatriation fees will be charged, provided you can demonstrate an advanced level of Kitesurf.

The Lagoon Spot:

It stretches for 4km and is located at the foot of the mountain and hotels. The wind can struggle to find its way due to the presence of the mountain, hotels, and palm trees. The spot is less frequented by advanced riders because the water is shallow. Jumps and freestyle are therefore risky, and many injuries (knees) are due to bad landings.

However, it offers an incredible playground for freeride and for beginners making their first runs in warm, transparent, flat, and spacious water.

Equipment Rental:

I think we can say, "save the best for last..."

The René Egli Center is located at the foot of the lagoon and the spot: you can't miss it!

A team of instructors, lifeguards, and rescue drivers will welcome you with a smile and a desire to satisfy you every day.

For beginners, they offer lessons: one session in the morning at 10:30 am (3h) and one session in the afternoon at 2 pm (3h). Groups are formed by skill level. Groups consist of very few students and can also be private.

You start your first kite piloting on the sand with small kites and ten-meter lines. As lessons progress, the equipment will evolve according to your level, and you will finish the stay with standard production equipment.

If conditions aren't suitable for riding (too much or not enough wind, big waves, etc.), every effort will be made to reschedule or postpone your lesson. You might even get to enjoy a jet-ski/wakeboard session if there's no wind at an available spot. Incredible moments guaranteed!

If you're an experienced rider, this is ideal! All equipment is at your disposal (under close supervision) and adapts to your desires and the conditions. The staff is lovely and very competent, guiding you in your choices.

The equipment provided is from the current year or previous years. Almost every morning, the lengths of bar lines and kites are checked. I even got to participate in a training session for checking and adjusting line lengths! The boards and straps are also in good condition.

I had the opportunity to test all three disciplines: twin tip, strapless, and foil with the NORTH brand, a partner brand of the shop. All the equipment is comfortable and adapted to the riding conditions.

I encourage you to leave your own gear at home and let yourself be tempted by another brand you might not use the rest of the year.

Upon returning from your session, whether at René Egli or the Melia hotel, there's a dedicated area to rinse your equipment and take a shower before indulging in a cerveza among the palm trees. 

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end!

Claire & Jérôme.