The southwestern tip of Fuerteventura Island is referred to as the Jandia Peninsula, it was an entirely separate island many years ago. In the region there is a town called Morro Jable, where you can find the port that ferries passengers to Gran Canaria, and where many resorts are located. Some people use the names Morro Jable and Jandia exchangeable, but now you know the difference between the two. Whether you are staying in the area or day tripping, there is much to see and do.
+Playa del Matorral is the beach in town, sometimes referred to as Playa de Morro Jable or Jandía Beach in this place of many synonyms. The vast beach stretches over 2½ miles of white sand and turquoise waters, and it’s almost 200 feet wide. As a typically breezy area, this beach attracts many surfers and wind surfers. As with many beaches in the Canaries, nudists are generally present right beside people who are clothed. There is plenty of free beach parking across the street.
+A lengthy seaside promenade is popular with joggers, walkers, and cyclists in town. It is sporadically dotted with sculptures, to art lovers delight.
You will find parks for children to play in and trees with shade to rest in, which happened to be filled with monk parakeets.
It is endearing to watch these birds chatter and show their loving personalities towards one another.
Many restaurants and bars line the road across the street from the beach.
+The Morro Jable Lighthouse is an active beacon which was built in 1991. It is the tallest in the Canary Islands standing over 193 feet tall.
Nearby is a whale skeleton, these aquatic mammals can be sighted in the Canaries all year long frequently seen off of Fuerteventura.
The skeleton is from a male sperm whale who was came ashore dead due to natural causes The whale was 47.5 feet long weighing over 18 tons, it is placed here for environmental awareness.
+Visit with the turtles at the Turtle Nursery, free to enter and generally open weekdays 10-1. The facility helps to ensure the population of loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) that live in the Canary waters. Their population has declined in recent years, the local government is working to stabilize it. Turtles lay their eggs at Cofete Beach and scientists transport them to the nursery where they are cared for until they are of substantial size and have a greater chance to survive, then they are released into the local waters.
+Saladar de Jandia is the largest salt marsh in the Canary Islands. The wetlands are home to halophytic vegetation which can withstand high salinity that occur during floods at high tide, especially common at fall and spring equinoxes. This is a stopover point on the European flyway for many unique bird species, and the Canary Houbara Bustard is often spotted here. Hiking is limited to the boardwalks that stretch from the street to the beach, walking in the wetlands is prohibited. When I visited mid-afternoon in late November there were no birds to speak of, but many Moorish squirrels.
These brazen and adorable creatures were everywhere, on top of the plants, running along the ground, and noshing on the boardwalk.
+Hike up to Pico de la Zarza the highest point on Fuerteventura.
+Drive out on the unpaved roads to the remote Cofete Beach or Jandia Lighthouse.