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Ferries to the Canary Islands

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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.

Weโ€™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.ย ย 

Corralejo-Lobos

Naviera Nortour
9 miles
18 minutes
Up to 7 times per day
From: £18.00

Los Cristianos โ‡’ Santa Cruz de La Palma

Fred.Olsen Express, Naviera Armas
100 miles
3h 15 mins.
Up to 2 times per day
From: £63.00

Morro Jable โ‡’ Las Palmas

Fred.Olsen Express, Naviera Armas
62 miles
3 Hours
Once per day
From: £53.00

San Sebastian de la Gomera โ‡’ Santa Cruz de La Palma

Fred.Olsen Express, Naviera Armas
56 miles
2h 15 mins.
Up to 2 times per day
From: £63.00

Agaete โ‡’ย Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Fred.Olsen Express
42 miles
1h 18 mins.
Up to 8 times per day
From: £49.00

Los Cristianos โ‡’ San Sebastian de la Gomera

Fred.Olsen Express, Naviera Armas
25 miles
1 Hour
Up to 7 times per day
From: £45.00

Playa Blanca โ‡’ Corralejo

Fred.Olsen Express, Lineas Marรญtimas Romero, Naviera Armas
9 miles
42 minutes
Up to 4 times per day
From: £17.00

Las Palmas โ‡’ Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Naviera Armas
59 miles
1h 40 mins.
Up to 4 times per day
From: £123.00

Arrecife โ‡’ย Las Palmas

Naviera Armas
181 miles
5 Hours
Once per day
From: £95.00

Los Cristianos โ‡’ Valle Gran Rey

Fred.Olsen Express
40 Miles
40 minutes
Up to 2 times per week
From: £10.00

Puerto del Rosario โ‡’ Las Palmas

Naviera Armas
174 miles
5h 10 mins.
Up to 2 times per day
From: £130.00

Morro Jable โ‡’ Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Naviera Armas
121 miles
5h 20 mins.
Up to 7 times per week
From: £140.00

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 youโ€™re planning to travel to Tenerife, weโ€™ve created an extensive guide to help you. While Tenerifeโ€”especially Los Cristianosโ€”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:

1h 40 mins.
59 miles
Up to 4 times per day
From: £123.00
5h 20 mins.
121 miles
Up to 7 times per week
From: £140.00
5h 10 mins.
174 miles
Up to 2 times per day
From: £130.00
10 Hours
125 miles
Up to 4 times per day
From: £110.00

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
More details in this specific guide
1h 40 mins.
59 miles
Up to 4 times per day
From: £123.00
5 Hours
181 miles
Once per day
From: £95.00
5h 10 mins.
174 miles
Up to 2 times per day
From: £130.00
3 Hours
62 miles
Once per day
From: £53.00

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 Volcรกn 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.
2h 45 mins.
80 Miles
Up to 7 times per week
From: £59.00

Take a Ferry to La Gomera

La Gomera, home to over 22,000 inhabitants, is a mountainous island with its capital, San Sebastiรกn 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 Sebastiรกn โžœ 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 doesnโ€™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.
1 Hour
25 miles
Up to 7 times per day
From: £45.00
2h 15 mins.
56 miles
Up to 2 times per day
From: £63.00

Valley Gran Rey Ferry

Weโ€™ve researched this ferry route, which is currently inactive, and hereโ€™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?
Thereโ€™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:

3h 15 mins.
100 miles
Up to 2 times per day
From: £63.00
2h 15 mins.
56 miles
Up to 2 times per day
From: £63.00

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:

  1. From Tenerife to Lanzarote
    Currently, there is only an indirect and less attractive route available from Tenerife to Lanzarote.

  2. From Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) to Lanzarote
    A direct and convenient connection for those travelling from Gran Canaria.

  3. 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.
5 Hours
181 miles
Once per day
From: £95.00
42 minutes
9 miles
Up to 4 times per day
From: £17.00
10 Hours
125 miles
Up to 4 times per day
From: £110.00

Ferries to Fuerteventura

Yes, Fuerteventura is famous for its stunning sandy beachesโ€”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 Lanzaroteโ€”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.
18 minutes
9 miles
Up to 7 times per day
From: £18.00
3 Hours
62 miles
Once per day
From: £53.00
42 minutes
9 miles
Up to 4 times per day
From: £17.00
5h 20 mins.
121 miles
Up to 7 times per week
From: £140.00
5h 10 mins.
174 miles
Up to 2 times per day
From: £130.00

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 โ€“ Corralejo connection, which allows you to easily travel between these two islands.

Bonus Tip:
When youโ€™re in Corralejo (Fuerteventura), consider taking a short ferry ride to Lobos Island for a day trip. Itโ€™s a beautiful way to extend your adventure and explore more of the Canary Islands!ย 

ferry hopping canary island lobos and playa blanca

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.

  1. Start in Los Cristianos (Tenerife):
    Board the ferry to San Sebastian (La Gomera).
  2. Stay on La Gomera for at two days: there is lot's to see and do.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

ferry hopping canary island route la gomera la palma los cristianos

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.

  1. Start in Gran Canaria (Agaete):
    Take the ferry to Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

  2. Stay on Tenerife for at least three days:
    Explore the island, its diverse landscapes, and vibrant culture.

  3. 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 youโ€™re on a tighter schedule.

  4. 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 itโ€™s an island best suited for multiple days of exploration.

island hopping ferry route gran canaria tenerife la gomera

Additional Information

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References
References
1 Statista.com: Inbound tourists Canary Islands
Ferrygogo UK
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