Bahía de Corralejo Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Corralejo, Fuerteventura north
Corralejo on the N tip of Fuerteventura is the gateway to the Fuerteventura–Lanzarote channel and the closest point to La Graciosa (24nm NE). The bay to the S of the marina is backed by spectacular rolling sand dunes — a Natural Park — and the clear water reveals a perfect sand bottom ideal for anchoring. Corralejo town is lively, well-provisioned, and has the best infrastructure on the N Canaries coast outside Las Palmas. The NE trade winds make this bay choppy in strong conditions but excellent holding means it's safe to wait out fresh trades here.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
28°43.7'N 013°51.9'W
Depth
3–9m
Bottom
sand
Holding
Excellent HoldingProtected From
W, SW, S, SE
Exposed To
N, NE, E
Best Months
March, April, May, September, October, November
Anchoring Fee
Free
Mooring Buoys
None
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m for 3–9m on dune sand. Excellent holding. NE trade wind chop monitor — if trades exceed 30 kt, the bay becomes uncomfortable but not dangerous.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeThe Anchorage
Anchor in 3–8m on clean dune sand S and SW of the marina entrance. The Corralejo Dunes Natural Park to the S creates a spectacular backdrop and the dune sand bottom extends into the bay for excellent, reliable holding. The NE trade winds blow directly into the bay — can be choppy to lumpy in strong trades but never dangerous. The ferry to La Graciosa passes to the E side.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Bahía de Corralejo is primarily sand with reliable holding when properly set.
- Approach slowly — at 3–9m, deploy minimum 7:1 scope (63m chain at 9m depth).
- Drop into the wind or current and pay out chain steadily.
- Set firmly in reverse — 30–60 seconds moderate throttle astern.
- Take a GPS bearing — note position once set and confirm adequate chain.
Recommended anchor types: SPADE, Rocna, Mantus, Delta.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Bahía de Corralejo are feasible but require monitoring — exposed to N and NE and E winds and swell.
Set your GPS anchor alarm to 90m radius before going below. 90m for 3–9m on dune sand. Excellent holding. NE trade wind chop monitor — if trades exceed 30 kt, the bay becomes uncomfortable but not dangerous.
Year-round. Most comfortable March–May and September–November. June–August: strong trades make the bay choppy. December–February: possible NW swell episodes.
Navigation Hazards
- Strong NE trade wind chop into the bay in summer (25–30 kt)
- Ferry to Lanzarote passes E of marina — watch route
- Calima (Saharan dust) most common on this N Fuerteventura coast
Rules & Regulations
- Anchoring fee: Free
- Key restrictions: Corralejo Dunes Natural Park — no landing on park dunes from seaward. Ferry exclusion zone E of marina. No fires on beach.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Available
- Fuel: Available
- Restaurant: Excellent variety of restaurants in Corralejo town.
- Provisions: Available
Skipper's Tips
- Good staging post before the 24nm passage to La Graciosa or the channel crossing to Lanzarote.
- The windsurf and kitesurf schools here are world-class — strong winds guaranteed.
- Calima warning: when wind swings to S and visibility drops — check AEMET immediately and secure all gear.
A note on this guide: Data researched from multiple sailing sources and provided in good faith. Always check current weather, AEMET forecasts, and VHF weather bulletins before visiting. Use a GPS anchor alarm and never rely solely on a guide for navigational decisions.
Sleep peacefully at Bahía de Corralejo
Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — essential in the Canaries where trade wind chop can make a comfortable anchorage suddenly uncomfortable.
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