Ferry Companies
Ferry Companies in the Canary Islands
Who sails where - all Canary Islands ferry companies with routes, crossing times and rules at a glance
- Fred Olsen Express: fast ferries on six inter-island routes and from Huelva
- Baleària Canarias: Ro-Pax ferries between all the islands and from Cádiz, the 2026 successor to Naviera Armas
- Líneas Romero, Biosfera Express, Nortour, Ferry Isla de Lobos: the small islands and the Bocaina strait
All Ferry Companies at a Glance
Table of Contents
Ferry Companies in the Canary Islands
Two major ferry companies handle almost all the traffic across the Canary Islands, alongside four small ones serving the Bocaina strait and the two smallest islands. If you're travelling between Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, La Gomera and La Palma, on most routes you can choose between a fast ferry and a conventional ferry. The short profiles below link to the full company pages with fleet, routes and rules.
Fred Olsen Express
Fred Olsen Express has sailed exclusively with fast ferries since 1974: Gran Canaria in 80 minutes from Agaete, La Gomera in 50 minutes, La Palma in two and a half hours, El Hierro in 2 hours 20, Fuerteventura in 105 minutes from Las Palmas and across the Bocaina strait in 25 minutes, plus a coastal service on La Gomera. From Huelva, the Marie Curie sails to mainland Spain three times a week. Check-in is 20 minutes on foot, 40 minutes with a vehicle.
Baleària Canarias, formerly Naviera Armas and Trasmediterránea
Baleària Canarias has been the name for the former Naviera Armas and Trasmediterránea ships since May 2026. The Volcán-class Ro-Pax ferries cover almost every route: Las Palmas to Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 100 minutes, the western islands, Morro Jable, the overnight crossings to Puerto del Rosario and Arrecife, and the mainland route from Cádiz calling at up to five islands. With cabins and a large vehicle deck, it's the first choice for motorhomes and overnight crossings. Check-in is 60 minutes on foot, 90 minutes with a vehicle. The history of the former brand is covered on Trasmediterránea.
Líneas Romero, Biosfera Express, Nortour and Ferry Isla de Lobos
Líneas Romero, based in Lanzarote, sails across the Bocaina strait and to La Graciosa, Biosfera Express also serves La Graciosa, and Naviera Nortour and Ferry Isla de Lobos cross from Corralejo to Isla de Lobos in 15 minutes. Only foot passengers and bicycles travel to La Graciosa and Lobos, as both islands are car free.
Which ferry company for which crossing
For the short hops between the islands, the timetable matters more than the company, since both major operators run alternating departures on most routes. With a motorhome, plenty of luggage or an overnight crossing, Baleària Canarias with its cabins and large vehicle deck is the obvious choice, while Fred Olsen Express's catamarans suit a quick day trip. The day's departures are shown in the timetable, and fares in the fare overview.
FAQ Ferry Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and answers about the Canary Islands' ferry companies
Which ferry company sails between Tenerife and Gran Canaria?+
Both major companies: Fred Olsen Express in 80 minutes to Agaete, Baleària Canarias in 100 minutes to Las Palmas. Details on Ferry Tenerife - Gran Canaria.
Which ferry company sails from mainland Spain to the Canary Islands?+
Two: Baleària Canarias from Cádiz to five islands, and Fred Olsen Express from Huelva to Gran Canaria and Tenerife.
What happened to Naviera Armas and Trasmediterránea?+
Both have sailed under the Baleària Canarias brand since May 2026, after Baleària took over the group. The routes and ships stayed the same; more on Naviera Armas, now Baleària Canarias and Trasmediterránea.
When do I need to be at the port with each ferry company?+
Fred Olsen Express: 20 minutes before departure on foot, 40 minutes with a vehicle. Baleària Canarias: 60 minutes on foot, 90 minutes with a vehicle. For Líneas Romero and the small ferry companies, the time stated on your ticket applies.
Can I take a car and a dog with every ferry company?+
Cars can travel with Fred Olsen Express, Baleària Canarias and Líneas Romero, but not to La Graciosa or Lobos. All ferry companies carry pets if you register them in advance; where they're accommodated on board varies, with details in the company profiles and in the guide Travelling to the Canary Islands with a Dog.
Where can I compare fares?+
In the fare overview for all Canary Islands routes, and in the booking window for each route; Canary Islands residents pay less with every ferry company thanks to the state resident discount.