Postcards from the edge
Nick and Lins of Naked Wanderings choose some of their favourite nude beaches in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.
NATURIST BEACHES: CANARIES
POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE
Nick and Lins of Naked Wanderings choose some of their favourite nude beaches in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.
It isn’t hard to see why the Canary Islands deserve a prominent spot on the list of top naturist destinations.
They’re Spanish (sort of). They’re in Europe (sort of). But they’re also on the edge of Africa. So combine the relaxed attitude to nudity, an ideal climate pretty much year-round, and some unique scenery - including an array of amazing beaches - and what’s not to love?
Naturists flock to the islands, especially off-season, when escaping the cold and the rain of most of the rest of Europe is an ideal way to maintain a tan. That was our winter plan as well, and we’ve recently returned from a sunny road trip in a hired camper van around Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.
We’re happy to share with you what we consider to be the five most amazing nude locations that we found. It’s important to note that not all of them are official naturist beaches, but with nudity accepted on so many beaches on both these islands, you can only be spoiled for choice. At any time of year…
CHARCO DEL PALO (LANZAROTE)
The most famous naturist destination on the Canary Islands is probably Charco del Palo. This is one of the few true naturist villages in the world, in the sense that it’s open for everyone and that nudity is common everywhere: in and around the accommodations, on the streets, and certainly on the beach.
Charco del Palo doesn’t have a sandy beach, but rather a rocky coastline with several natural pools. Thanks to the abundance of sunshine, the average temperature of these pools is quite some degrees higher than that of the open ocean, so if you like your swimming water to feel more like a shower than a fridge, this beach is definitely a recommendation. We wouldn’t say that the beach of Charco del Palo is among the most beautiful ones on the island, but the whole experience of being in a naturist village and not having to think about clothes at all gave it a spot in our Top Five.
PAPAGAYO (LANZAROTE)
Another part of Lanzarote that is very well known among naturists are the “Playas del Papagayo” - the Papagayo beaches. The distinction is important. It’s a common misunderstanding that this is only one beach. Instead, it’s a national park with five large beaches and several smaller coves. Interestingly, the beach that is actually called “Papagayo beach” is the only one where nudity is not that common. Because of the two nearby chiringuitos (beach bars), this beach mostly attracts textile visitors, there on a day trip.
If you’re planning to get naked on one of the Papagayo beaches, we would recommend doing so on Playa Mujeres or Playa del Pozo. These are the two nearest beaches to the entrance of the park and are easy to get to by car. Another good choice is Caleta del Congrio on the other side of the park, but getting there requires a fairly long hike, and the winds - always a factor on the islands, sometimes cooling, but often a challenge - tend to be stronger here.
PLAYA DE LAS CONCHAS (LA GRACIOSA)
Our original plan was to only visit (and write about) the beaches of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, but there is an exception that we just have to make. Unless you’re already familiar with the region, you’ve probably never heard about La Graciosa. It’s a very small island just off the northern coast of Lanzarote. Only the very few people who live here are allowed to use motorised transportation, so as a visitor you can’t bring your rental vehicle.
A frequent ferry takes you from Órzola in Lanzarote to Caleta del Sebo, the only place on La Graciosa worth calling a town. From here, all movements are up to your muscle power. Hiking is an option, but if you want to see the most of this small island, we recommend renting a bicycle. Especially if you want to spend some time at Playa de Las Conchas, the nude beach on the island, which is about six kilometres out of town. And trust us, you will want to spend some time here. This beach is absolutely stunning. The pure white sand, the emerald green waters, and the reddish hills in the backdrop make it seem more like a place in the Caribbean than something you can find in Europe. It takes some effort to get to, but the reward is worth it.
PLAYA ESMERALDA (FUERTEVENTURA)
Over on Fuerteventura, the most popular nude beach is Playa Esmeralda. When we first arrived, we thought that we had come to the wrong place because everywhere around us were large hotels. Not exactly the kind of location where you expect that much nudity. But as soon as we walked down to the beach, we found that few of the visitors were wearing anything except for their own skin. This again proves how much nudity is accepted on these islands. There are few other places in Europe - or even the world - we have come across where nude beaches exist right in front of a hotel strip.
Playa Esmeralda is the main nude beach, but nudity is also common on any of the nearby beaches. As Playa Esmeralda has the tendency of getting quite full on a sunny afternoon, we recommend that you walk south towards the much-larger Playa de Sotavento for more relaxed sunbathing.
PLAYA DEL COFETE (FUERTEVENTURA)
Yes, we probably did save the best for last. If we have to pick a favourite beach on the Canary Islands, it’s most definitely Playa del Cofete in the very south of Fuerteventura. Getting there can be a bit of a struggle as you’ll be driving for almost 20 kilometres on a mountainous dirt road. It’s a trip that is not for the faint-hearted, but it’s the only way to get to this magnificent eight-kilometre-long pristine beach.
Because it is so hard to get to, few people will make the effort. This means that you will have lots of space just for yourself. We do recommend leaving early so you can spend as much time as possible on this beach, and do take food and drinks because there are no bars or shops around. This is just pure, spectacular nature. And we all know that the best way to enjoy this is in your most natural outfit.
© H&E Naturist 2022
