Fuerteventura with children: family holiday ideas and activities
Fuerteventura is about much more than paradise beaches. If you are travelling as a family, the island offers water parks, animal encounters, boat trips, natural spaces and calm-water beaches where you can enjoy time together with younger children. The combination of nature, adventure activities and unique experiences makes Fuerteventura with children an easy-to-organise holiday option that can be adapted to all ages.
What to do in Fuerteventura with children?
As well as its beaches, Fuerteventura offers a wide range of activities designed for family fun: Oasis Wildlife, Acua Water Park, Lobos Island, Oceanarium Explorer, the Corralejo dunes and whale and dolphin watching are among the most recommended options. Below, you will find details of each one, together with the practical information you need to plan your day: location, what you can do, which ages will enjoy it most, how much time to allow and whether it is advisable to book in advance.
Oasis Wildlife Fuerteventura
Located in La Lajita, in the south of the island, Oasis Wildlife is Fuerteventura’s largest zoo and botanical garden, home to more than 3,000 animals from different species, including elephants, giraffes, hippopotamuses, cheetahs and lemurs, as well as a large collection of birds and reptiles. The park is open every day from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
In addition to exploring the different areas of the park, visitors can enjoy animal shows featuring birds of prey, reptiles and sea lions, as well as activities such as lemur encounters and dromedary rides, which are very popular with families with children of all ages.
It is worth setting aside a full day for your visit, as the facilities cover more than 800,000 square metres. It is advisable to book your tickets online in advance to avoid queues, particularly during the high season.
Acua Water Park
Acua Water Park, the only water park in Fuerteventura, is located in Corralejo in the north of the island. It has more than 14 attractions, including slides, wave pools, a lazy river and a children’s area with soft-play features designed specifically for younger children.
Families with younger children can make the most of the children’s pool and family areas, while older children can enjoy the kamikaze slides and fast-flowing river. The park is open from April to October, so it is worth checking the seasonal opening dates before planning your visit. Allow half a day or a full day, and buy your tickets online in advance to speed up entry.
Lobos Island trip with children
Just 2 kilometres from Corralejo lies Lobos Island, a protected islet within a nature reserve. It can be reached by boat from Corralejo harbour, with crossings of around 15–25 minutes depending on the vessel you choose.
Once on the island, you can explore its trails on foot, swim at La Concha Beach, with calm, shallow waters that are ideal for children, and snorkel in its surrounding waters.
Before booking, bear a few practical points in mind:
- Access permit: visiting Lobos Island requires an access permit, which is usually arranged by the boat operators when you book the ferry or excursion.
- What to bring: water, sun cream, suitable footwear for walking and some food, as there is only one restaurant on the island and capacity is limited.
- Sea conditions: it is worth checking them before booking, especially if you are travelling with young children, as they may affect the crossing.
It is a suitable excursion for all ages, although for babies and very young children it may be preferable to choose a catamaran trip where you do not need to disembark.
Oceanarium Explorer
In Caleta de Fuste, right in Puerto Castillo, Oceanarium Explorer is a water-based leisure centre offering activities for the whole family. Its best-known experiences include swimming with sea lions, whale and dolphin watching by catamaran, and hiring kayaks or pedal boats.
As it is located in the centre of Caleta de Fuste, it is easy to combine with a day at the beach, as the resort has a beach protected by a breakwater, making it ideal for children. Many of the activities require advance booking, particularly the sea lion experiences, which usually have limited places.
The best beaches in Fuerteventura for children
Fuerteventura has all kinds of beaches, but when travelling with children, it is best to prioritise those with calm waters, fine sand and gentle waves. If you would like to discover more options beyond the family-friendly beaches, our selection of best beaches in Fuerteventura features a wider range of beaches across the island.
La Concha Beach (Lobos Island)
Crystal-clear, shallow waters protected from currents. Accessible only by boat from Corralejo, it is one of the best options for swimming with young children.
Caleta de Fuste
An urban beach protected by a breakwater that softens the waves. Its proximity to restaurants, shops and Oceanarium Explorer makes it a convenient option for a family day out.
Costa Calma
A wide golden-sand beach, with areas of calmer water along its northern stretch. A good option if you are looking for plenty of space and some tourist facilities close to your accommodation.
Dunas de Corralejo
The Corralejo Dunes Natural Park is one of the island’s most recognisable landscapes and also one of the easiest places to enjoy with children. Walking barefoot on the sand, building sandcastles or simply running through the dunes is a free activity that does not require a booking.
It is best to visit the park early in the morning or at sunset to avoid the hottest hours, and always bring water and sun cream, as there is very little natural shade.
Whale and dolphin watching in Fuerteventura
The waters surrounding Fuerteventura, particularly around Caleta de Fuste and Corralejo, are known for their dolphin population and, occasionally, whales. Several-hour catamaran trips are available and may include whale and dolphin watching, a swimming stop and, in some cases, food on board.
It is an activity suitable for the whole family, although it is advisable to book in advance and check the cancellation conditions, as marine wildlife sightings depend on sea conditions and on the presence of animals on the day.
Other original things to do with children
Beyond the options above, Fuerteventura offers other activities that can round off a family holiday:
- Ajuy Caves: a short, accessible walk to volcanic caves beside the sea, with spectacular views. Allow around one hour.
- Molino de Antigua: a craft and interpretation centre housed in a former windmill, offering an interesting way to discover Majorera culture with slightly older children.
- Camel or dromedary ride: available at several locations around the island, including Oasis Wildlife, this is a short activity that is very popular with children.
What to do in Fuerteventura with children according to their age?
Not all activities are equally suitable for every age group. As a general guide:
- Babies and children up to 3 years old: calm beaches such as Caleta de Fuste, walks through the Corralejo Dunes and the children’s area at Acua Water Park.
- Children aged 4 to 8: Oasis Wildlife, Acua Water Park (family areas and mini kamikaze slides) and catamaran trips to Lobos Island without the need to disembark.
- Children aged 9 and over: a full trip to Lobos Island with snorkelling, Oceanarium Explorer, whale and dolphin watching and the more intense attractions at Acua Water Park.
Where to stay in Fuerteventura with children?
For a family holiday with resort facilities, Fuerteventura Princess and Club Jandía Princess are two options worth considering. Both hotels are located on the beachfront on the Jandía Peninsula, with direct access to golden sands and calm waters that are ideal for younger children.
Both resorts offer a kids’ club and children’s entertainment programmes, pools adapted to different age groups and family-friendly rooms, with cots and other additional services for young children available on request.
Fuerteventura with children is a destination that combines beaches, nature and activities for all ages, offering more than what tends to stand out at first glance. Planning excursions and park visits in advance helps you make the most of each day. Discover the Princess hotels in Fuerteventura and find the option that best suits your next family holiday.
Categories: Canaries, Travel Tips, Fuerteventura
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