Español
Fuerteventura beaches, Routes and trails
ESQUINZO BEACH
Jul
Every time we share on social networks some image of the northern Playa de Esquinzo, the comment always comes up, but isn’t that beach in the south of Fuerteventura? Many people mistake it for the beach at Esquinzo-Butihondo. And the truth is that, having repeated place names in Fuerteventura, does not help to situate us. But this island is like that, unique even in its toponymy.
Before we start talking about the Esquinzo beach, and all the old legends it holds, did you know that there are more duplicate place names in Fuerteventura? For example, there are two Montaña de la Muda, one of which is in the municipality of Puerto del Rosario, and the other in the municipality of Pájara. If you know more names of places that are repeated, leave us a comment, or send us an email to blog@fuerteventuractiva.es
And now. . .
Beach of Esquinzo
The Esquinzo beach that we bring today is located in the municipality of La Oliva, between the towns of Cotillo and Tindaya, specifically at the mouth of the Esquinzo ravine. You will not find this beach in the classic tourist circuits of the island. Not in vain, to reach it you have to drive through dirt tracks, without asphalt
Esquinzo Beach is a small horseshoe-shaped inlet. Although it is somewhat rocky, its soil is composed of golden sand and callaos. It is just over 300 meters long and around 30 meters wide. Like other beaches on the west coast of Fuerteventura, such as Jarugo and Los Molinos, this one in Esquinzo is also flanked by high cliffs that protect it from the rough sea and the prevailing winds.
The beauty of Esquinzo beach is more evident in the low tide. In those moments, when the sea line withdraws, a dreamlike beach opens up before us. The wet sand acts as an impromptu mirror. It reflects rocks, escarpments and walkers.
If this spectacle of nature coincides with the sunset and the company of the loved one, what more could one ask for?
In addition to a day at the beach, here you will also learn a interesting stories and legends. Esquinzo has been a place of magic rituals since pre-Hispanic times. Its proximity to the Tindaya mountain has increased the presence of myths and legends. Neither should we forget that, most probably, the word Esquinzo comes from the aboriginal word Esquén. The esquenes or efequenes were meeting points for the mahos, where they performed various rituals. In fact, on the plains of Esquinzo there are still remains of one of these Esquenes.
La Cueva de las Damas – Stories and legends from the beach of Esquinzo.
On the coastal cliff, to the left of the mouth of the Esquinzo ravine, we can still see the mouth of the Cueva de Las Damas, and above it, the so-called Corral del Caballo. Both constructions are settings for popular stories, which have as their main characters prominent people from Tindaya. According to the oral tradition of Fuerteventura, Gines de Cabrera and his family lived in the Cueva de las Damas.
Ginés de Cabrera, was a humble farmer from Tindaya, who had been engaged to a beautiful local girl. His precarious economic situation did not even allow him to pay the dowry, so he had to emigrate and seek his fortune in other lands. She, in turn, assured him that she would wait for him and that she would not marry another man. However, as the years passed and she did not receive news of her beloved, the girl’s parents decided to marry her off to another man.
On the day of the wedding, between Ginés’s beloved and her new suitor, Ginés de Cabrera went to the village at a gallop, riding his steed. He entered the church and took the girl who was on the altar about to be married. The couple settled in the Cueva de las Damas. They raised their seven children there. Tindaya’s elders assert that this character really existed, and that Ginés de Cabrera died when he went off the cliff, while he was catching shearwaters.
The Corral del Caballo, is a circular structure with livestock functions, located just above the Cueva de las Damas. Its name comes, according to popular belief, from the fact that this is the place where Ginés de Cabrera kept his horse.
Frequently asked questions about Esquinzo Beach:
Is it possible to reach Esquinzo Beach by car?
Yes, there’s a ground track that connects El Cotillo to Tindaya. Be careful and drive safely. The area has a rustic but functional car park. To access the beach you will have to go down a small path.
Is it possible to go nudist at Esquinzo Beach?
Yes, Esquinzo beach, because it is away from the most touristic places, is one of the most demanded beaches by people who practice nudism.
Is it possible to fish at Esquinzo Beach?
Yes, you can do both spearfishing and angling.
Is bathing dangerous on Esquinzo Beach?
All along the western coast of Fuerteventura, strong waves predominate. Take extreme precautions and stay close to the shore.
Is there a lifeguard service at Esquinzo Beach?
No, there’s no lifeguard service in Esquinzo. Keep in mind that in the event of an accident, the emergency services have to travel from several kilometers away, on dirt tracks. Don’t put your life in danger, or anyone else’s
Is it possible to visit the Cueva de las Damas?
In the old days there was a path that reached the mouth of the cave. At present, to visit the Cueva de las Damas, it is necessary to go down with climbing material, as the path that made access possible has been removed.
Fuerteventura1
