Fuerteventura Tourism
The Jandía Saltworks
Canary Islands Wetland on Fuerteventura
The Saladar de Jandía is a natural wonder located at Playa del Matorral, in the south of the island of Fuerteventura. It is a wetland that is periodically flooded by the tides, creating a unique habitat for flora and fauna. It is the only wetland in the Canary Islands that forms part of the Ramsar Network, an international convention for the conservation of wetlands.
Unique Ecosystem
It occupies a coastal strip over two kilometres long and some 500 metres wide, with a total protected area of 115.6 hectares. It is home to a significant example of the thermo-Atlantic halophytic scrub ecosystem, consisting of plants that can withstand salinity and flooding. Some of the most characteristic species are the balancón, the siempreviva, the salicornia, the alhelí and the Jandía cardón.
Bird Sanctuary
It is also a refuge for seabirds and migratory birds, which find in its scrubland and pools a place to feed, rest and nest. Among the birds that can be observed are the Kentish plover, the common sandpiper, the curlew, the little egret, the osprey and the common flamingo.
Extensive Beach and Morro Jable Lighthouse
You can also access Matorral Beach, one of the longest and most beautiful on the island, with fine white sand and crystal-clear waters. Next to the salt marsh stands the Morro Jable Lighthouse, a symbol of the area which is open to visitors. The Jandía Salt Marsh is a natural area of great ecological and scenic value, well worth exploring and respecting. It is recommended not to enter the salt flats themselves, but to explore them via the designated footpaths or from the wooden walkway that crosses the beach. This way, you can enjoy its beauty without disturbing its balance.