Ferries to the Canary Islands
Select the departure or arrival port to compare ferry routes
Ferry to the Canary Islands
While most travellers opt to fly to the Canary Islands, it is also possible to travel by ferry. Ferries depart from Huelva and Cadiz in mainland Spain, stopping at all the main islands in the Canaries upon arrival. These services operate at least once per week.
The duration of the crossing varies significantly, from 27.5 hours to 54.5 hours, depending on the number of stopovers and your chosen arrival island. For more detailed information, visit our dedicated page on travelling from Spain to the Canary Islands.
Canary Island Ferry Guide!
On the following page, we provide detailed information about all ferry routes and island-hopping options within the Canary Islands. For example, discover the best starting points and how to reach Tenerife by ferry.
We’ve also created unique guides for each island, which you can explore using the links below.
Map: all ferry routes between the Canary Islands
The map above shows all active ferry routes in the Canary Islands.
About these crossings
On this page more info per Canary Islands and a summary of ferries sailing there.
The Ferry to Tenerife
Tenerife is the most popular tourist destination and a key ferry-hopping hub in the Canary Islands. [1]Statista.com: Inbound tourists Canary Islands
If you’re planning to travel to Tenerife, we’ve created an extensive guide to help you. While Tenerife—especially Los Cristianos—is often used as a starting point for ferry trips within the Canary Islands, it can also serve as a destination. For example, if you first land on Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, or Lanzarote, you can continue your journey to Tenerife by ferry.
Read more in our Ferry to Tenerife Guide.
Most Popular Routes to Tenerife:
Ferries to Gran Canaria
Located next to Tenerife, Gran Canaria is the second most popular island in the Canary Islands. In terms of ferry routes, Gran Canaria serves as a key hub, connecting to many of the islands, particularly those to the east, such as Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. The Most Popular Gran Canaria Ferry Connections:- Gran Canaria to Fuerteventura
- Gran Canaria to Lanzarote
- Gran Canaria to Tenerife
Take a Ferry to El Hierro
There is currently only one ferry route available to El Hierro, departing from Los Cristianos in the south-west of Tenerife.
How to Get There If Flying to Tenerife First:
- The best airport to fly into is Tenerife South (TFS).
- From there, you can take a bus or taxi to Los Cristianos.
The Ferry Service:
- Frequency: Up to two ferries per day operate from Los Cristianos to El Hierro.
- Travel Time: The crossing takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
- Operator: You'll be sailing with Naviera Armas aboard the Volcán de Tirajana.
- Arrival Port: The ferry docks at Puerto de la Estaca, near Valverde.
- The Ship: This is a fast catamaran ferry, travelling at speeds of up to 25 knots.
Take a Ferry to La Gomera
La Gomera, home to over 22,000 inhabitants, is a mountainous island with its capital, San Sebastián de La Gomera. The island's geography centres around its highest peak, Alto de Garajonay, meaning that driving here is scenic but slow-going.
About the Ferries to La Gomera:
- The ferries are modern and fast, with some ranking among the fastest in the world.
- The Benchi Express service (San Sebastián ➜ Valle Gran Rey via Playa Santiago) has been suspended since July 2021.
- Travel Tip: We recommend staying for at least three days to fully appreciate the island's unique charm. Driving slowly around the island allows you to take in the scenery. A single-day trip doesn’t do it justice.
- While this guide focuses on the routes to La Gomera, many travellers also use the ferry from La Palma, making it a popular connection between the islands.
Valley Gran Rey Ferry
We’ve researched this ferry route, which is currently inactive, and here’s what we found:
- The ship is still docked in the harbour, awaiting a potential restart.
- Service was suspended due to low demand and COVID-19 distancing regulations, which made operations challenging.
- This route previously connected Los Cristianos to Valley Gran Rey.
Will the service resume?
There’s a possibility the ferry may start operating again in the future, especially since Fred. Olsen Express owns a large resort in Valley Gran Rey, making it beneficial to resume this service when demand increases.
The ferries that get you to La Palma
You can travel to La Palma from La Gomera and Tenerife:
Ferries to Lanzarote
Lanzarote, the closest Canary Island to mainland Spain, serves as an excellent starting point for exploring the Canary Islands. This guide focuses on ferry routes from other Canary Islands to Lanzarote, rather than routes from mainland Spain.
Key Routes to Lanzarote:
From Tenerife to Lanzarote
Currently, there is only an indirect and less attractive route available from Tenerife to Lanzarote.From Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) to Lanzarote
A direct and convenient connection for those travelling from Gran Canaria.From Corralejo (Fuerteventura) to Playa Blanca (Lanzarote)
This is a fast and popular route, making it the preferred option for those travelling from Fuerteventura.
No direct connections from other Islands:
- If travelling from La Palma, La Gomera, or El Hierro, you will need to first head to Los Cristianos (Tenerife) before continuing onward to Lanzarote.
- Travel Tip: Be mindful of the distances between the Canary Islands, as these indirect ferry routes can be time-consuming and less appealing.
Ferries to Fuerteventura
Yes, Fuerteventura is famous for its stunning sandy beaches—a key reason many travellers visit the island. While flying is an option, ferry trips are growing in popularity, especially for day trips or two-day excursions from Gran Canaria, Tenerife, or Lanzarote—the three islands with direct ferry connections to Fuerteventura.
What to Know Before You Go
- Affordable Ticket Prices: The healthy competition between Armas and Fred. Olsen Express helps keep prices reasonable.
- Indirect Routes Take Time: Travelling from islands further west, like La Gomera, to Fuerteventura is indirect and time-consuming. For example, a ferry trip from La Gomera would take far too long to be practical.
- Modern, Fast Ferries: The ferries are modern, comfortable, and in some cases, among the fastest in the world!
- Flexible Scheduling: Most routes offer multiple crossings per day, making it easy to plan your trip to Fuerteventura on a schedule that works for you.
The Discontinued Ferry from Madeira to the Canary Islands
There was once a ferry connection between Madeira (Funchal) and the Canary Islands, which offered a convenient travel route for island hopping enthusiasts. However, this service has been discontinued due to political and monopoly-related issues.
As of now, there are no plans to reinstate this route, making it unlikely that the Madeira-Canary Islands ferry will operate again in the near future.
For more on the reasons behind the discontinuation, see: Ferry to Madeira: What happened to it?
Prices and availability for this crossing
With our online booking module, you can easily find and book your desired ferry crossing to the Canary Islands in just a few clicks. Simply enter your travel dates and destination, and the system will display all available options.
You can also explore connections between the Canary Islands, checking prices and availability for the various crossings.
Ferry hopping possibilities and routes
If you want to visit two or three islands during your stay on the Canary Islands we listed three cool options for ferry hopping.
Fuerteventura / Lanzarote Island Hopping
Ferry Hopping Option #1
From Fuerteventura to Lanzarote (or vice versa):
Take the popular Playa Blanca – Corralejo connection, which allows you to easily travel between these two islands.
Bonus Tip:
When you’re in Corralejo (Fuerteventura), consider taking a short ferry ride to Lobos Island for a day trip. It’s a beautiful way to extend your adventure and explore more of the Canary Islands!
Tenerife, La Gomera, and La Palma Island Hopping
Ferry Hopping Option #2
This is the only round-trip option and arguably the most efficient way to go island hopping in the Canary Islands.
- Start in Los Cristianos (Tenerife):
Board the ferry to San Sebastian (La Gomera). - Stay on La Gomera for at two days: there is lot's to see and do.
- Take a day trip to La Palma:
After soaking in the beauty of La Gomera, hop on the ferry for a day trip to La Palma. - Return to Los Cristianos (Tenerife):
Complete your adventure by heading back to Tenerife.
This itinerary allows you to experience the best of multiple Canary Islands with a mix of short and scenic ferry rides.
Tenerife Island Hopping
Ferry Hopping Option #3
This route offers a mix of exploration and flexibility, perfect for travellers wanting to experience multiple Canary Islands.
Start in Gran Canaria (Agaete):
Take the ferry to Santa Cruz de Tenerife.Stay on Tenerife for at least three days:
Explore the island, its diverse landscapes, and vibrant culture.Day Trip to La Gomera:
From Los Cristianos (Tenerife), take the ferry for a day trip to La Gomera. While La Gomera is best enjoyed over several days, this shorter visit is ideal if you’re on a tighter schedule.Return to Gran Canaria (Las Palmas):
Complete your adventure by taking the ferry back to Las Palmas (Gran Canaria).
Note: If time allows, consider extending your stay on La Gomera for a more relaxed experience, as it’s an island best suited for multiple days of exploration.
Useful for travellers to the Canary Islands
Additional Information
References
| ↑1 | Statista.com: Inbound tourists Canary Islands |
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