Four go to Fuerteventura (2026) – Day 7

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Day 7 – Sunday 16th March

Morning, my loyal reader! Boy, that was a late one last night!

We’re here in Fuerteventura with great mates, Paul & Sue. Last time we were all together in Corralejo was back in January, 2024, and we had a great time. This year, we’ve timed the break to coincide with the annual Corralejo Carnival that runs from the 5th until the 15th March. For 2026, the headline celebrations includes the Grand Parade (Cabalgata) on Saturday, March 14th, and you can read about that HERE.

Our home has been Las Marismas Hotel in Corralejo and we’ve bagged a one-bedroom apartment each with a bed (obviously!) & breakfast for the duration of our stay. We also hired a car at the airport to give us the flexibility to explore more of the area.

The weather has been pretty consistent during our stay. We could have all coped with it being a tad warmer, but all-in-all, it’s been OK.

9.35am: So, what to do today on our penultimate day here? Over breakfast, we decided, as a start, on a slow mooch around the Town. No particular destination in mind – just a gentle stroll, taking in the sights and sounds of Corralejo. We also have the ‘Burial of the Sardine’ to investigate. Or is that the BURNING of the Sardine? No-one seems to be sure, including the residents here (more about that later!). So, at this stage, we have no idea of the details surrounding this pivotal and final part of the Corralego Carnival – but we do love a mystery!!!! 😉

11.10am: We’re off!

Once we got outside, it became clear this was one of the best days so far for the weather, with temperatures already exceeding the forecast by a few degrees – but the cool breeze was back. With our Hotel about 1½ miles from our destination, its proximity to the main action has certainly helped with our step-count and distance – pretty much 1½ miles x 2 every day since we arrived (and sometimes more) 👍

11.35am: Once we arrived in the main shopping area, Corralejo looked just like it always does – busy and scrupulously clean! The Street Cleaners (who we caught a glimpse of last night as we were walking back to the Hotel) had done a grand job in clearing up the litter from the Carnival. We’ve always found the area to be completely litter-free, but last night was an exception with bins overflowing and some areas looking like the worst of the UK! 😕. Hats off to these hidden heroes!! 👍👍

Today, it was just great to be wandering in the sunshine with no particular place to go! On our walkabout, we spotted the OFFICIAL Tourist Information Office and thought that would be an ideal place to clear up the mystery of the Carnival-related sardine’s destiny starring in tonight’s event (we’re kind, like that!) – and exactly WHERE the event would be taking place.

Sadly, the Spanish member of staff didn’t quite understand what we were asking, but a nearby Brit DID! It turned out that she had lived in Fuerteventura for over 30 years and was part of the big procession last night. This sounded promising, and she was therefore happy to clear up the confusion. We explained that we’d seen the event referred to as the BURNING of the Sardine, but elsewhere it was referred to as the BURIAL of the Sardine! (You can tell we had nothing more pressing on our minds!) 😂😂

A detailed and helpful conversation from our newest BFF revealed where the event would take place, and that it definitely wouldn’t be BURIAL (as that wouldn’t be allowed). So BURNING it was going to be, and finally, the mystery was solved! Oh! And one final point, the event involves the Town Mayor. All good then! 👍

Err, ‘no!’ On leaving, we took a closer look at the Poster pinned up right outside the Tourist Office, that clearly listed the event as BURIAL of the Sardine. Doh! 🥴🥴. Well, at least we know WHERE to see the sardine spectacle – and at 7pm tonight, the mystery will be ‘put to bed’ 😉

12.05pm: With the Sardine’s destiny still causing confusion (and in the absence of a darkened room to lie down in), we stopped for coffee in the harbour area. Restaurant La Longa caught our eye as we’d been here last time we visited the island, and we recall the coffee being very good! Another great opportunity for us to look out across the water, people watch and continue to enjoy the sunshine.

12.25pm: That was a yummy coffee. Eventually, we left Paul & Sue to do their thing, whilst we did ours – looking for somewhere for us all to eat tonight. In truth, there was just (still) too much choice, even though we’ve eaten out every night since we arrived. It would be an interesting exercise to see how many days we could eat here in the evening before we’d tried them all!? I’m sure there’s someone, somewhere, who’s already worked this out! As they say: ‘Answers on a postcard, please’ 🤔

12.35pm: We meandered our way back to the Hotel, where a mix of sunbathing and siesta followed. Yes, it’s still a tough life here, but we better soon start getting used to the reality of heading home tomorrow!

4.45pm: Ann began the process of packing, whilst I did very little to help – you got to play to your skillsets, haven’t you!? 🥱

6.00pm: Later, it was the familiar walk back into Town for our evening meal. Having not seen anywhere in particular on our wanderings earlier today, it was just a case of ‘seeing what took our fancy’. Having already enjoyed Indian, Pizza, Steak and Fish eateries, we fancied Chinese, if only because we hadn’t already!

6.35pm: With the Sardine event due in around half an hour at 7pm (which we’ve learned is err, ‘flexible’ in Spanish time), we grabbed a few nibbles at the familiar Alma Brunch where we’d enjoyed a late-night hot chocolate a few days ago.

7.00pm: As expected, the scheduled time for ‘sardine ahoy’ came and went!

The crowds were now building, and after another fifteen minutes or so, to the sound of beating drums, the procession began to make its way towards the Pier. Led by the Town’s Mayor and various generations of Carnival Queens, just like last night, there was a lot of enthusiasm for the event.

And then, the real star of the show: the Corralejo Sardine! OK, it wasn’t a REAL one, so that was the first mystery cleared up. The fish looked pretty contented given its future, propelled by a small group of dedicated Chinese mourners, supported by two large, VERY capable Drum Bands and followed by what appeared to be the grieving ‘Sardine family’ dressed in black (but dancing the night away!). Yes, it was all very weird but I’m sure there’s a symbolic backstory that explains all this! 🤔😮😉

There was certainly no need for any grief counselling as the dancing families seemed to be having a great time!!! 😉😮😂. The procession wasn’t on the scale of last night’s Grand Parade, but what they lacked in numbers they more than made up for in noise! As they disappeared into the distance, we followed the crowd, heading for the Town’s Pier.

7.57pm: The area near the Pier was quite crowded, but we managed to get a good position. Burning or Burial of the Sardine was about to be revealed. As the pictures show, it turned out to be the former. As the entourage gathered near the fish’s funeral, in true keeping with modern H&S practices, they were accompanied by the local Fire Service! It took a while for the fire to take hold, but when it did, it was quite a spectacle. Thinking about it now, I’m not sure how, given the size of the fish, and that it was now pitch black, how they would have conducted the burial 😉🤔

So, now we know! They don’t BURY Sardines here in Corralejo, it’s a cremation all the way!

8.14pm: And, as the Sardine gently toasted on the beach, its demise gave way to the firework display. What a display! Ten minutes of really good quality pyrotechnics.

This included a type that none of us had seen before. Most firewoks go in a single direction – UP, but the display tonight included a number that were fired HORIZONTALLY. They pointed out to sea and then, after a short pause, headed for the heavens! This was a really effective way to see fireworks on the water without the need for them being fired FROM the water. Genius!

8.25pm: With the firework display coming to an end, there was a mass exodus from the Pier area, before things quietened down as we arrived back in the main strip. Most restaurants seemed to be busy as we headed for ‘Asia Garden’ – and our final evening meal here in Corralejo.

The Restaurant was heaving, but after a short wait, they found us a table. Just like all good Chinese restaurants, the range was enormous, but in the end, we settled for one of their preset Buffets.

I’m not sure where the time went! One minute we were sipping our sweetcorn soup (easy for you to say!!) and the next moment, we were paying the (very reasonable) bill!

10.45pm: As we wandered back towards the Hotel for the very last time this holiday, we spotted something very unusual! An EMPTY Corralejo! I guess it showed it MUST be a Sunday, and for many, there was work tomorrow. It was a comfortable 18℃ and completely breeze-free making it a very pleasant final mooch!

11.20pm: Time for some beauty sleep 💤💤💤💤. They’ll be a final SHORT Post tomorrow as we’re heading back to the Airport, but not before we take a drive to the town of Caleta De Fuste (which is on the way). See you then! 👍