I've only been to Fuerteventura once and that was in February. Days were ok, evenings could be chilly. I'd suggest a warm coat as I know from posts in the Lanzarote forum that people have been caught out that early in the year and had to buy warmer clothes over there.

When I was there in Feb 2001 it took a good while for it to be warm enough for us to lie uncovered on our sunbeds. I spent hours shivering under my towel over the period of a week! Also, our pool was absolutely FREEZING!

We also has two days of rain and an amazing sand storm!

I have to say I'd never risk going that time of year again.

Oh joy !

Have sacrificed my week in the snow to 'chill out' and relax in the sunshine !

Have been to Italy in August when it threw it down for 4 days and was only about 18 degrees and all I had was Cyprus summer wear ! I was a really miserable git !

Oh well, please pray that I get some sun and r and r --------------- our reason for going !

Perhaps your bad year was like our freak August in Italy!

Will take my ski wear just incase

You may well still get your sunshine holiday!

Maybe we were just unlucky with the rain but we did see the sun too! I came home with a bit of a tan it's just the mornings were not warm enough to lie out in the sun as then sun didn't give out much heat til about 11ish. I'm usually on the sunbed by 9am at the latest!

Hopefully it'll be a sizzler when you go but I can only be honest and tell you of my experience

I went 3 years ago in February and although it was sunny during the day we only managed 2 mornings on the sunbeds.The rest of the time I wore a light cardigan during the day.As soon as it got dark it got chilly and the apartment was freezing at night as there was no heating on.Gran Canaria is the warmest island during winter months!Take a hot water bottle!

Maybe others were unlucky with the weather. Our first visit was a few years ago, when we arrived on New Years Eve. Have also been late January.It was warm enough to be on the beaches till about 5.30pm

Thanks everyone --- I suppose its 'you pays your money and you takes your chance!'

Am really grateful for the posts and though there may be some 'not so good news' at least we will be prepared!

Re sun beds Pippy -------------------- what is 9am on holiday ?! Like a lie in so it may have warmed up but the time we get up!

Oh well, can't be any colder than here now !

Thanks again folks

Never been in February, but have been to the Canaries at Easter for the last few years and we are returning to Fuerte this Easter. Will be taking warm jackets for the evenings and some nice fleecy pyjamas to wear at night!
Last time we were in Fuerte (first 2 weeks in April 07) it was blazing hot in the sun during the day, but we had a fair bit of cloud and a few drops of rain. You'll probably find it's either hot sunny mornings followed by cloudy afternoons; or vice versa - cloudy mornings and sunny afternoons
There was a fair stiff breeze too, which made the evenings quite cold! I remember having to tell the barman not to put ice in my drinks at night because it made my teeth chatter too much! After a few nights I started drinking hot chocolate with a large dash of Tia Maria - the barman was amazed, he'd never heard of such a thing!
However, despite the chilly nights and cloudy half-days, I came home with my best ever "colour" (I'm a redhead, so I don't "tan", but can manage a "glow" if I work at it...) My daughter, who tans well, was still a lovely colour well into the summer - so it's not too bad really!

Ohhhh Tia Maria ------ I like that idea.This could be a holiday with an excuse to experiment !

Looks like the Irish Coffees etc may cost more than the cool cocktails !

Are the rooms heated at all as I really hate being in a cold room ------- even lapland at minus 31 had lovely warm rooms!

Presto2 wrote:

Are the rooms heated at all as I really hate being in a cold room

Unless you're staying in a very posh hotel, the rooms won't be heated! Oh, and the same goes for the swimming pools... be prepared to have your breath taken away when you dive in! However, if you get a few good days of sunshine, the sea may be a little more bearable.
Back to the rooms - there should be spare blankets in the room and you could always ask for an extra one if you're really nesh

Hi ................. 'nesh' ------------------ you must be one of the few people who has ever used that word and understood it.

Where are you from ?! I'm a 'Potter' from Stoke on Trent ---

And yes I am 'very nesh' but the hotel is 5 star -------------- do I have to take my Winnie the Pooh nightie, dressing gown and Christmas slippers with me? Very romantic .......................................

There is an indoor pool so may stick to that - surely that is heated ---- just one candle power ?!

Presto2 wrote:

'nesh' ----- you must be one of the few people who has ever used that word and understood it. Where are you from ?!

South-East Manchester

Anyway, back on topic...

Presto2 wrote:

the hotel is 5 star

Lucky you! The indoor pool may be heated, which hotel is it? Most good hotels have their own webpage which will tell you more about facilities available. Good hotels have air-conditioning which may be able to blow hot air instead of cold. I'll be taking some short-sleeved pyjamas (as long as my shoulders are covered, I'll sleep well) and some cheapo pound-shop slippers which weigh nothing and can be left behind.
Don't forget, you will need good suncream when the sun comes out - it will be hot and the sun's rays are very strong in the Canaries (nearer the equator than anywhere in Europe)

Hi

Re 'nesh' --- thought it was a Stoke word but South Manchester isnt far from us folk in the northern end of the City!

Re the hotel - we are in the Fuerteventura Princess in Jandia - says it is 5 star Thomson style and reviews are not too bad - accepting that some people will never be happy!

I just love the sea - the bigger the waves the better -- so just appreciate the help from people telling us to be prepared for the chilly weather. Went to Riva del Garda 3 yrs back in August and it was really cold and just poured with rain. I'd taken what I'd normally take to Cyprus and was just miserable, cold and chilly for half the stay. That is no fun!

Am sure the Winnie the Pooh stuff wont worry hubby too much as he would be happier with me in the 'Pooh look' than moaning about the cold!!!!!!!!

Thank you so much for the help -- am sure we'll love it

And thank you again to everyone for your help

The hotel's webpage is HERE but doesn't really say much about heated rooms or heated pools...

Hi

Have been researching and to be honest am just expecting it to be alittle like we had in Paphos for Easter 2004 ---- we arrived having only been mid August before and it was freezing cold on the beach, in the gardens and no heating in the room! Brrrrrrr ............ when the weather picked up a wee bit it was fine ! Infact, it was a fabulous week.

BUT the swimming pool was piggin' freezing -------- we just made a joke of it, but to watch the swallows using it as a launch pad and dip and dive made up for it! It was freezing by the sea as well --------------- BUT it was one of the best holidays we have ever had.

Now we know what to expect we will 'go prepared' and make sure we have a fab holiday!

At least having read about all of the cardigans needed etc we wont be worried about the nudists ----- a nudist in a cardigan ... mmmmmmm

(My only gripe will come if I dont see any chipmunks!)

Thanks for all your help again

Presto2 wrote:

(My only gripe will come if I dont see any chipmunks!)

I saw the chipmunks! I'd forgotten all about them!

How could you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO CUTE!!!!

Will make me in me Winnie the Pooh slippers and nightie look tame!

(in cardigan if necessary!)

Presto2 wrote:

My only gripe will come if I dont see any chipmunks!

I'm taking my 16 year old daughter and her best friend to Caleta this Easter, they're a pair of little minxes and I've already warned them:
* Don't torment the chipmunks on the rocks
* Don't torment the camels on the beach
* Don't torment the fish in the harbour
* Don't do anything evil to the beautiful sandcastles on the beach...

--- sorry ------

I am allowed to take peanuts for the chip munks - it will help me cope with the cold!!!!!

Hi

Just a quick post to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped us with info about Fuerteventura. We have just returned from our first visit, staying at the Fuerteventura Princess in Jandia and have to say, we had a fabulous holiday!

We made good use of all of the advice everyone gave us -- fed the chipmunks, took (and made good use of) warm fleeces, used enough suntan cream, went on an island tour and just relaxed and chilled. (Especially on the 2 very windy days!)

Oh well - home again now - thanks again to everyone !