Ajuy: the small village by the sea

Then there is the tiny village called Ajuyi: including it as a stop on your trip to Fuerteventura could be an excellent idea because the spectacular beach of Puerto de la Peña and the Ajuy Caves are just a stone’s throw away.

Ajuy Beach

If you are looking for tranquility, relaxation and a dip in the wild nature of Fuerteventura, Ajuyi is the place for you: it is a small village of white houses located on the south-western coast of the island of Fuerteventura and is part of the municipal territory of Pajara. Its small port is very important because here, in 1402, the Norman Jean de Béthencourt landed with his entourage of 23 men, intent on conquering Fuerteventura.
You can consider Ajuyi a starting point to reach what is considered a very scenic beach, namely Puerto de la Peña: the sand is black being of volcanic origin, while the cliffs that surround it plunge into the ocean waters, shaped over the centuries by the waves and by the winds, populated moreover by a few squirrels and little goats. Bear in mind that the currents are quite strong and swimming is not highly recommended (it is also called the Beach of the Dead after the people who have lost their lives in these treacherous waters), but you can always organize a picnic and enjoy the scenery. The chromatic contrast between the black beach and the blue sea is in fact truly spectacular, to be immortalized in a souvenir photo.
In the past, Ajuy Beach was the port from which ships loaded with livestock and cereals departed for the other Canary Islands, Madeira and Lower Andalusia.

The caves of Ajuy

One of the most surprising places in Ajuy are its caves: get ready to visit this karst cavity which, even from a distance, will seem like something out of Petr Jakson’s film “King Kong”, due to its conformation that makes it appear truly prehistoric. Indeed, the rocks that form the caves dug by the waves of the sea are the oldest in all of Fuerteventura, dating back to at least 100 million years ago.
You can reach the Ajuy caves, declared a Natural Monument and part of the Betancuria Rural Park, via an equally scenic path that starts from Ajuy Beach, just 550m away. of distance.
The road has in fact been carved into the rock and in many sections you will find yourself walking literally overlooking the sea, with spectacular views. It will take you about 20 minutes to get to the caves but, along the way, look around because there will be many fossils that you will be able to see, especially sea gastropods (common snails).
Along the path that leads to the caves of Ajuy, there are also fossil dunes, composed of organic material and sand, but also the remains of a lime kiln, a small disused pier from which boats departed to transport the lime to other parts of the Canrie archipelago and finally a panoramic terrace: it is located 20 m. high above the sea and will give you a spectacular view of the entire coast of Ajuy.
Once you reach the cavern of the caves, you will have to go down the stone stairs (wear suitable shoes as they can be quite slippery) to then find yourself in an almost ancestral place, so ancient as to make you feel small. Outside the ocean makes its booming voice heard and the experience will be truly unforgettable for you.

Ajuyi: not only beaches and caves

Leave the caves of Ajuy now and head towards the Jurado Arch: here too Mother Nature has left signs of her inescapable strength. The Jurado beach of the same name is in fact characterized by a sort of literally perforated rock wall: the arch that will appear before your eyes almost looks like a window overlooking the blue ocean, for a truly spectacular postcard image.
Finally, don’t forget to visit the natural pools of Charcones de Ajuy: they are located at the foot of a cliff and are bordered by natural rocks. The sea water penetrates inside, clear and crystalline and, when it’s low tide, you can even take a dip in these pools, finding relief from the summer heat which, in Fuerteventura, can be really oppressive.
Finally, a stone’s throw from Ajuy is the town of Pajara, famous for hosting the Church of Nuestra Señora de Regla, dating back to the 1600s and with Aztec symbols placed on the portal. It also houses the small Hermitage of Sant’Antonio, dating back to the 18th century, located in the locality of Toto.