Fuerteventura's West Coast - Caution!

Fuerteventura has its own special appeal. Here you can find some of the best beaches in the Canary Islands, but what about its west coast? Fuerteventura's west coastline is comprised of very high cliffs which give you a beautiful sea view where you can watch breathtaking sunsets.

A word of caution, though!
Although there are many places where you can do some fishing or snorkeling below the cliffs, I recommend you go with someone who who is experienced in these parts. Some people have unwisely gone on their own and never returned! Why?

The tide on the west coast of Fuerteventura changes at a stunning speed and if you venture out on the rocks and start fishing, you must keep an eye on the tide at all times. When the tide goes up, you can be left stranded on a rock with no way of getting back ashore due to the fierce waves that beat against the coastline.

El Naufragio - A Sight to See
At the 'Playa de Garcey' in Pajara, you can see 'El Naufragio' (the shipwreck), where the "American Star" made its final stop.Originally christened as the S.S. America in 1939 by First Lady, Eleanore Roosevelt, this ship was the largest of its kind at the time. It could reach speeds of 24.5 knots and measured 220 metres from bow to stern and 28 metres from starboard to portside.

Its maiden voyage was postponed due to the war and in 1941, the ship was dressed for battle with a new look, anti-aircraft guns and re-christened as the U.S.S. Westpoint. The 8,000 man crew nicknamed it "The Grey Ghost". It's cruising speed was so fast that it could outrun submarines and other war ships of the era.

1946-64 was the golden age of the vessel, which was given back to its real owners and restored back to its original luxury status. In 1964, the Greek firm, Chandris Lines bought it and re-christened it as the S.S. Australis. It was modernized and could take 2,300 passengers.

After changing hands and being re-christened again as the American Star, the ship spent 16 years in the Greek Harbour of El Pireo. In 1993, Chaophraya, a Thai firm, bought the ship for $2,000,000 with the intention of renovating it and using it as a floating luxury hotel in Bangkok or Phuket Island.

The ship needed to be towed to its new Asian destination and the Suez Canal was not an option due to its being closed, so it visited the Atlantic Ocean once more. It was during this trip that the ships encountered a fierce storm and the "American Star" ended up becoming a part of the Fuerteventura seascape since then.