What to expect at kitespot Piedra Playa?
At Fuerteventura, one of the Canary Islands in Spain, and a one hour drive from the airport of Fuerteventura, you’ll find this breathtaking kitespot Piedra Playa. This beach is a beautiful place around huge cliffs. The same can be said about the sunset, which is one of the most beautiful here.
This spot is next to El Cotillo, and famous for wave surfing. The only way to reach the beach is via an offroad track, which starts on the left side of the town, following the ocean side. In front of the cliffs there are 3 big beaches, just separated a little bit by the formation of the cliffs. The one in the middle is the beach for kitesurfing. The beach is sandy, just with a few big rocks next to the beach, easy to see and easy to avoid them. The spot works in low tide and also in high tide.
Wind
The wind season starts around March with variable wind directions, but from May until September the most frequent wind direction is North, North-west. This spot works good with north-east and north, and also with south. With east wind this spot is not working at all.
The wind range is between 18-25 knots in general, so for a 70 kg rider good kite sizes are 10-12 meters.
Water conditions
There are big beach breaks, but when passed it’s almost flat or choppy water. Advanced wave riders can play on the beach breaks.
Launch Area
The launching area is big, the beach is sandy, so there is enough space for the kites. Be careful with the launching, because the wind is a little bit gusty, next to the beach.
Lessons & Gear
There is a kitesurf school in El Cotillo Tarpons Bay but more schools are available in Corralejo town. A recommended school with the best service and pro instructors is Naturalsense school.
Level of riding
This spot is more for intermediate or advanced riders. This is caused by a few reasons:
For starters, you have to cross the beach break to start riding, which is sometimes big and breaks fast. The wind is also gusty in this area, next to the beach. These two conditions together makes the start difficult. During the summer the beach break is smaller.
Secondly there is no rescue at this spot.
Thirdly the wind is gusty, and has some channels with more and less wind, so it can be tricky to go back to the beach.
Finally, here are strong currents.
Warnings
- There is no rescue boat, so be careful going far or going out with low wind.
- Important to take care of the wave surfing areas, which are the two big beaches on the side. Respect the rules and do not disturb the wave surfers.
- Keep in mind not to go too far from the beach, the currents and the gusty wind can make it difficult to return.
- Watch the other riders before going into the water, check the technique of how to pass the beach break successfully.
Facilities
The parking area is big, next to the offroad, at the edge of the cliffs. There is no restaurant or bar on the beach so bring your own food and drinks. Cotillo town is 3 minutes away from this beach with bars, restaurants and shops.
No wind options
The bay is also famous for wave surfing, so just pick up a board and go into the water. It is a beginner wave surfing spot. In the town of Cotillo there are a lot of surf schools where you can rent a board or book a surf lesson. The ancient village of Cotillo is a really nice fishing village, easy to find a good restaurant with seafood and some places to visit next to the ocean side. If you like to have a bath in a little lagoon, just follow the road to the lighthouse of Cotillo, and there will be a lot of lagoons on the way.
Nearby kitespot
Make sure to also check kitespot Los Charcos de Cotillo to have some private session, or the lagoon at kitespot Sotavento.