American Star, Fuerteventura

An interesting day out can be had by going out to see the wreck of the American Star. You probably wont be as lucky as we were with the weather conditions. The calima was blowing and this reduced the visibilty, gaving our photographs an eerie quality.

The wreck of the American star is to be found at the Playa de Garcey on the weststern side of the island. To reach the playa you have to travel down, and back up, a long dirt track, which you would probably not be happy to drive along in your own new car. If you hire a car and have a mishap, the insurance will not cover you.

The start of the track is about a mile (that is 1609m to you young people) south of the turn off for Ajuy. The first sign you see while on the track is the one warning against scuba fishing.

The track is easy to follow, and if you are taking it slowly the geology is interesting to look at.

Follow the track until you come to the sign saying you are entering a national park, then turn left.

When we visited we continued straight on, ending up on the headland above playa de Salopas. More interesting geology.

If you are heading in the right direction you will see one of these signs for the playa de Salopas. A little further on, just over a rise the shipwreck comes into view.

Once you can see the ship you soon come to a place that you can park. It is possible to go down to the beach, or even to the next headland, but we do not recommend doing so.

On some maps it looks as though you can return to the tarmaced road by carrying on in the same direction, but you cannot. The track leads to a military zone with the usual keep out and warning signs.

You may want to check the Fuerteventura Weather before you go.

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Start of the track if heading south

If heading north look for this

Continue to here then turn left

You are going the right way

The wreck of the American Star