Family Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura, with its wide range of activities, shallow sloping beaches and warm sea is a perfect family holiday destination.

On the eastern coast from Morro Jable in the south to the sand dunes of Corralejos and the northern beaches beyond, the sea is always easily accessible for families with young children.

All of the larger beaches will have life guards in attendance with clearly marked areas for safe swimming.

The Baku Water Park in Corralejo, has large swimming pools, state of the art water rides plus sea lion shows and a life size wrecked galleon in a large lagoon stocked with seals.

In Calete de Fuste, the Oceanarium Explorer in the marina has displays and tanks of fish found in the waters around the island and a sea lion show.

There are also regular daily whale and dolphin watching cruises.

To the south the south, in La Lajita and set in botanical gardens laid out over nearly half a square kilometre (0.2 sq mile) the Oasis Park Zoo has more than 200 species of animals on show. Visitors can travel around the site on a camel safari to view the many endemic species of plants and animals on display.

Pride of place is reserved for the Fuerteventura donkey - whose origins can be traced back to the first Spanish settlers on the island some 500 years ago.

Surf and Windsurf schools throughout the island offer family oriented holidays aimed at all ages.

Cycling companies have children's bikes for hire or can organise less strenuous rides for families, complete with pick ups and route advice.

Whale and dolphin watching trips leave from Morro Jable, Calete de Fuste and Corralejo on the east coast.

At Morro Jable, a small submarine takes visitors out to explore the rocky underwater world just off the coast teeming with fish, from large grouper to bright shoals of sardines.