Wondering where the name Morro Jable comes from? Let me tell you a story about this charming place. Morro Jable sits on Fuerteventura’s southern coast. It began as a small fishing village. Its name reflects its landscape. “Morro” refers to a prominent hill. “Jable” comes from the French word for sand. This describes the sandy areas around the hill.
The story of Morro Jable starts in 1899. Cirilo López Umpiérrez founded it. He is considered the town’s first resident. For many years Morro Jable remained isolated. A gravel road was the only way to reach it. Fishing was the main source of income for the residents.
Then came the 1970s. A paved road connected Morro Jable to the rest of Fuerteventura. This opened the door to tourism. One of the first prominent visitors was German Chancellor Willy Brandt. He vacationed here with his family. In those days Morro Jable lacked telephone connections. The government officials had to communicate via radio. A bronze statue of Willy Brandt now stands on the beach promenade. It commemorates his visit.
Morro Jable offers several sights worth exploring. There are two churches that stand out. The Ermita de San Miguel is a small church built in the Canarian style. It was the village’s first church. Nuestra Señora del Carmen sits on the hill overlooking the bay. It is an important part of the town’s skyline.
The harbor in Morro Jable is also a point of interest. Here lies a turtle breeding station. This project is run by the University of Las Palmas. Their goal is to reintroduce the hawksbill turtle to Fuerteventura. Turtle eggs are buried on Cofete beach. Once hatched the baby turtles are cared for. They are released when they are old enough to defend themselves. Amazingly turtles always return to the beach where they hatched.
Another sight in the harbor is the rays. Large rays swim in the harbor basin. You can often see them near the fishing boats. They glide gracefully through the water. Sometimes they even come close to the jetty wall.
The beach promenade is a must-see. It is the perfect place for a seaside dinner. From here you can watch the sunset. Morro Jable boasts beautiful beaches. The beaches have fine sand and clear water.
Morro Jable has grown into a popular tourist destination. Yet it still retains its charm. The historic center has narrow steep streets. As you walk around you’ll discover bronze sculptures. These honor local figures like Cirilo López and Willy Brandt. They also celebrate the fishermen and goatherds. The people of the sea who shaped Morro Jable.