Playa del Matorral

Contributor Review - Marta Baptista
Local Expert. Visited 2023

Playa del Matorral is a 12 km beach, in the small town of Morro Jable, south of Fuerteventura. Being located in the Canary Islands, unlike mainland Spanish nude beaches, this beach is perfect for a visit throughout the year — the last time we went there was mid-January, the weather was at an incredible 20ºC-23ºC during the day, and the water around 19ºC — and perfect for a little winter getaway, when it’s quieter!

The beginning of the beach, located right in the center of Morro Jable is more narrow and crowded. This area is right in front of many bars and restaurants, and you won’t find nude beach-goers here, except for the occasional passer-by, while strolling along the shore. However, just a few meters ahead, towards the direction of a big lighthouse, you’ll find areas where it’s just you, the sand, the sea and the sky, ideal for naturism beginners. There is also a boardwalk in between the entire length of the beach and the city area, ideal for your morning jog or bike ride, or just for a pleasant walk.

Though there are nudists, the majority of people at the beach do use swim attire, but from what we could gather, aside from some people staring here and there, it feels comfortable being clothes off. It is also worth mentioning that in Playa del Matorral, at least in the areas closer to hotels and resorts, you’ll see bigger groups of nudists mostly in the early hours of the morning and late in the afternoon — some accommodations have direct access to the beach climbing down some stairs, and people would come directly from the hotel with their robes on, take them off to go for a nude swim, relax a bit in the sand, and returning to the hotel in a short time. However, it’s totally worth it to enjoy the beach during the day, since it’s when the sun is higher that you get to enjoy the crystal clear waters that you normally associate with tropical destinations. Fuerteventura Island is known for being generally windy. However, the local beach services are prepared for that, and the areas where you can rent a sunbed and umbrella have a sort of tarpaulin covers all around, so the wind doesn’t disturb bathers. And because of the wind also, there are a lot of people practicing kitesurf!

Though there are several bars right at the beach, if you feel like eating or enjoying a refreshing drink at the sunset, the center of Morro Jable is ideal for that. Most restaurants there face the beach, so you can appreciate the dazzling ocean while tasting the traditional sangria, paired with amazing seafood — calamari and limpets are a must-try! If you walk a bit towards the narrow streets, you’ll find some really hard-core traditional restaurants where you can fall in love with all the Spanish tapas.

Morro Jable is a small town, but there you’ll find everything you need, either for a short or long stay: there are multiple supermarkets, small shoppings, many street stores and bars.

Accommodation is another thing that is certainly not missing, for every kind of taste and pocket. Unlike what happens in other towns of the island, in Morro Jable there are a lot of hotels offering all-inclusive service, ideal for those who just want to relax and not think about anything (not even the next meal!).

Fuerteventura is quite a small island, and from what we could tell upon visiting, nudity is welcome on the majority of beaches (we also visited Playa de los Matos and Playa Larga and found some naturists there). If you’re staying for more than a few days, it’s 100% worth it to rent a car and explore the island. Corralejo, located in the north, is full of life, for those who don’t seek only rest on vacation, and you’ll find live music and people having fun around every corner. Near this city, there are two incredible spots to explore: the famous “Popcorn Beach”, where you’ll find a beach surface covered in popcorn-like little stones, and Isla de Lobos, a very small island which you can only access by boat, and where you’ll see amazing natural lagoons and even a volcano!

All in all, Fuerteventura can be definitely considered a nudist-friendly destination, and an overall wonderful place, where you can enjoy nature, food and the unique Spanish culture all year long!