Casa Del Mar

Set amidst the small 'coves' of fine, white sand and the turquoise-blue, salt water lagoons of El Cotillo in Fuerteventura's untouristy northwest, we are a small, secluded, peaceful, whitewashed group of beachside self-catering apartments, set in a sub-tropical garden with dragon trees, bougainvillea, oleander and hibiscus. The apartments we offer here are uniquely positioned right on the beach.

Do you have the imagination? Yes, you could be "stranded on a desert island with a few mod cons".

So if you're a dedicated sun-worshipper or beachcomber, a naturist, a keen surfer, windsurfer or snorkeller, this is the place for you.

Casa del Mar is a great favourite with our guests having been recently completely refurbished. There is a double aspect south and west terrace equipped with tables and chairs and a couple of sunbeds, from which one has a lovely sea view (also from the living room and both bedrooms). A short walk through the subtropical communal garden will take you onto the beach. Patio doors give access from the terrace to the living area, which has a dining table and chairs for four and sofa and easy chairs, plus a TV with DVD player. The newly-fitted and extremely well-equipped kitchen has a ceramic hob and full oven, a microwave, a fridge-freezer and a toaster. The double bedroom has a queen size bed (190 x 150) and plenty of storage in fitted wardrobes plus a sea view and there is a twin room of the same size to the side, also with loads of storage. The bathroom is newly refitted with shower enclosure, WC and basin.

Maximum occupancy in Casa del Mar is 4 people.

Bed linen (changed weekly for stays of 2 weeks or longer) and hand, bath and kitchen towels are provided.

We are situated around 1 km north of El Cotillo, which is still a traditional fishing village with tourist facilities rather than an overgrown resort. There are about a dozen good restaurants (mostly Canarian or Italian), many with terraces overlooking the sea and serving superb locally-caught fish, several bars and a couple of supermarkets. There is a bank, a French bakery and other shops for your everyday needs.

The village has some of the best beaches in the Canaries, including a vast stretch of sand on the so-called 'big wave beach' to the south, beloved of surfers, and a whole series of small, sheltered coves with brilliant white sand and clear turquoise water to the north around about us. These are divided from each other and protected from the waves and open sea by lava stone reefs and thus provide safe bathing, even for little ones. Please note that naturism is very popular along this stretch of coast.

Recreational activities nearby include: tennis, cycling (bike hire in Cotillo), diving, fishing, surfing and windsurfing (schools in the village and Lajares), walking (we are directly on the much-recommended north coast route from Corralejo to Cotillo) and of course swimming and snorkelling direct from your door.

El Cotillo has fast road connections to the island network. We are around 20 minutes by car from the island's biggest resort, Corralejo, with its water park, commercial centres and nightlife, should you want these.

It is roughly 40 minutes drive to the airport or the island capital, Puerto del Rosario, a popular excursion for its good shopping facilities or simply to stroll along the prom and watch the ferries and cruise ships coming and going.

The scenic central mountains, home to historic villages such as Betancuria, Pajara or Antigua with their craft centres and museums are under an hour by car. Likewise Caleta de Fuste and its golf courses.

Fuerteventura has without doubt the best beaches in the Canaries and some of them truly world-class. Everyone talks about the wind, and yes, it can be breezy here, but the key thing is the sun. Fuerte has longer sunshine hours on average than Tenerife or Gran Canaria and only a fraction of their average rainfall.

Those in search of peace and quiet, something which can be hard to find on the more developed Canary Islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, will also love Fuerte. It's a big place (nearly the size of Tenerife) but with a small population. The roads are well-built but very quiet, making hiring a car a pleasure, and you can really escape from the bustle of modern life, be it on a deserted white beach or in the stark, striking mountains of the interior, which have a beauty all their own.