Jandía Nature Reserve (from the port in Gran Tarajal)

The island of Fuerteventura is located between Lanzarote and Gran Canaria. With a surface area of 1658 square kilometres, it is the oldest of the seven Canary Islands and also the least populated, with barely seventy thousand inhabitants. More of a business and service city than a tourist destination, Gran Tarajal is in the municipality of Tuineje, on the east coast. Jandía Nature Reserve has been a protected desert area since 1987, with plant species such as giant cacti and euphorbia and about 40 species of protected animals.

From Puerto del Rosario to Gran Tarajal

Starting out from the cruise liner berthed in the port of Puerto del Rosario, the capital of Fuerteventura, a 46.6-kilometre drive south takes us to Gran Tarajal, with a black-sand beach with a blue flag and an important marina. The seafront promenade has lots of places serving great cuisine, from the Fishermen's Association with fish freshly caught locally, to bars and restaurants that serve Canary Island and Italian food. From the mountain behind the football field, there is an exceptional view of the town.

Jandía Nature Reserve

40 minutes away by car, 48 kilometres to the south of Gran Tarajal, Jandía Nature Reserve is in the municipality of Pájara, in the extreme south of Fuerteventura. Its highest point is the peak of Zarza, at 807 metres above sea level. The endemic plant that represents the island of Fuerteventura —the burchard— grows in this singular nature area. Also of outstanding beauty in Jandía is the panoramic view of the bay —the so-called Cofete Arch.

Sustainability

- Never leave waste of any type lying around, including cigarette butts. Leftover food leads to a proliferation of rats and wild cats, which pose a serious threat to the fauna.
- Use the waste- paper baskets and, insofar as possible, separate and place your recycling waste in the appropriate containers.
- Do not throw any waste or other objects into the sea.
- Respect the animals. Do not bother them or feed them. If you see an injured specimen, you can call the emergency number: 112. Do not pick flowers or plants.
- Do not pick up or take away stones or any other item from the natural environment. And do not move them to pile them up into sadly famous 'towers'.
- In natural spaces and at viewpoints, do not leave the trail or the spaces designated for people to be in.
- Respect and look after the area's historic and cultural heritage, along with the public furniture and items for visitors, such as information panels or telescopes and binoculars.