Windswept cliffs meet the crashing waves here at Punta Mallorquín. Does the raw beauty captivate you?
Punta Mallorquín is a place where the untamed spirit of Fuerteventura truly shines. This spot offers a unique glimpse into the island’s rugged coastline.
Los Mallorquines Beach is located south of El Cotillo. It is easily reached by car or bicycle along a gravel road. But be careful. There is no clear path down the cliffs. Extreme care should be taken.
This beautiful sandy beach features high cliffs. It sees very few visitors. Swimming can be dangerous here. Large waves and very strong currents exist. Its isolation adds to the danger.
Picture the early settlers of Fuerteventura. They arrived from North Africa. They were known for their ‘mahos’. These were traditional shoes made from goatskins. The residents of the island are still known as ‘Mahos’.
Imagine the first expeditions from Portugal and Spain. They landed on Fuerteventura around 1340. These explorers left behind European slaves. In the early 15th century, the island was divided by a stone wall called Erbania. Parts of this wall remain today. Erbania was one of the earliest names for the island.
The French explorer Jean de Béthencourt led the first invaders. He was accompanied by Gadifer de la Salle. By 1404, they established Fuerteventura’s first capital. It was Betancuria. It remained the capital until 1859.
Fuerteventura has a rich history marked by conquests and pirate attacks. The island fell under military rule in 1708. This was headed by the ‘Governor at Arms’. The title was hereditary. It passed through the powerful Sánchez-Dumpiérrez family.
Pirate attacks were common in colonial times. Fortifications and lookouts were erected along the shoreline. The castle at Caleta de Fuste is one of the best-known. It was completed in 1743.
Self-government was allowed in 1912. Manuel Velázquez Cabrera established the island’s earliest council. Cabrera is remembered with a statue on the island.
The island got its first airport in the 1940s. The current airport opened in the late 1960s. This coincided with the construction of new hotels. These hotels aimed at the burgeoning package tourist market.
Fuerteventura’s name comes from the Spanish words “fuerte” and “ventura”. This means “strong fortune” or “strong wind”. The island is known for strong winds around its coastline.
Fuerteventura is the oldest island in the Canary archipelago. It dates back 20 million years. The island was declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 2009.
The elongated island is 100 km long and 31 km wide. It has an area of 1660 km2. Fuerteventura lies at the same latitude as Florida and Mexico. Temperatures rarely fall below 18 °C or rise above 32 °C.
The island is home to one of the two surviving populations of the Canarian Egyptian vulture. It also hosts several migratory and nesting birds.
Remember the blend of history and nature here at Punta Mallorquín. This unique spot will leave you with a deep appreciation for Fuerteventura’s charm.