Canary Islands
Ferries to La Palma
All ferries to La Palma - Tenerife, La Gomera, Gran Canaria and the mainland with crossing time and ferry company
- 2.5 hours from Los Cristianos, around four departures a day with Fred Olsen Express and Baleària Canarias
- La Gomera in four hours, Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife with occasional direct ferries
- Mainland: Cádiz in around 47 hours with Baleària Canarias, with car and motorhome
- Crossing times from both ferry companies' timetables
- All feeder routes on one page
- Book directly with the operator
La Palma route map
The map shows all ferries heading to Santa Cruz de La Palma. Everyday traffic runs via Los Cristianos; the other routes sail rarely and mostly in connection with the mainland crossings.
- Balearia
- Naviera Armas
- Fred Olsen Express
Balearia47 hours 30 minutes
Check prices →Naviera Armas56 hours
Check prices →Naviera Armas8 hours 30 minutes
Check prices →Balearia6 hours
Check prices →Balearia2 hours 30 minutes
Check prices →Fred Olsen Express2 hours 30 minutes
Check prices →Naviera Armas2 hours 30 minutes
Check prices →Naviera Armas23 hours
Check prices →Fred Olsen Express4 hours
Check prices →Balearia4 hours
Check prices →Naviera Armas4 hours
Check prices →Naviera Armas7 hours
Check prices →Naviera Armas26 hours 30 minutes
Check prices →Connections to La Palma
All feeder routes with crossing time, frequency and booking.
Prices per person, one way
© OpenStreetMap contributors
From Tenerife, La Gomera and the eastern islands
Table of Contents
La Palma has one ferry port, Santa Cruz de La Palma on the east coast, right by the island capital. Almost all traffic comes from Los Cristianos on Tenerife; the other routes are stopovers made by the large Baleària ships on their sailings between the islands and the mainland.
Tenerife from Los Cristianos
The main connection: around two and a half hours from Los Cristianos to Santa Cruz de La Palma. Fred Olsen Express sails twice a day with Benchijigua Express or Bencomo Express, Baleària Canarias twice with Pepita Castellví or Volcán de Tirajana. Both carry vehicles, both run all year round. Some Baleària departures call at La Gomera on the way. Los Cristianos is around 20 minutes from Tenerife South Airport, so the combination of flight and ferry is a common way to reach La Palma. Check-in, ships and arrival in detail: Ferry Tenerife - La Palma.
La Gomera from San Sebastián
Between San Sebastián de La Gomera and Santa Cruz de La Palma, both ferry companies take around four hours, two departures a day each. Most sailings are the continuation of the line from Los Cristianos. Details on Ferry La Palma - La Gomera.
Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Baleària Canarias runs the direct ferry from Las Palmas only a few times a month, seven to eight hours, usually tied in with the mainland crossings. The same applies to the connection from Santa Cruz de Tenerife, six hours, once a week. For both: going via Los Cristianos is almost always faster, though with a car and plenty of luggage the overnight ferry can still be the more convenient choice.
From the eastern islands and the mainland
Santa Cruz de La Palma is the endpoint of the Baleària line from Cádiz: around 47 hours with stops on Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria or Tenerife, roughly once a week in season. On the same rotation there are occasional direct sailings from Arrecife and Puerto del Rosario, each around 23 to 28 hours. Everything on the terminal, cabins and vehicles is on the route page Cádiz - La Palma.
Taking your car on the ferry
Every ferry to La Palma carries vehicles. With Baleària Canarias the rule is: 90 minutes before departure at the terminal with a vehicle, 60 minutes without. Fred Olsen Express asks for your number plate when you book and states the boarding time on your boarding pass. If you're arriving with a rental car from Tenerife, check the rental terms beforehand; without a vehicle you'll find rental cars, taxis and the island buses at the port of Santa Cruz de La Palma.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the ferry to La Palma
How long does the ferry from Tenerife to La Palma take?+
Around two and a half hours from Los Cristianos to Santa Cruz de La Palma, with both Fred Olsen Express and Baleària Canarias, two departures a day each. Some of the Baleària sailings call at San Sebastián de La Gomera on the way, which adds to the crossing time.
Which port on Tenerife does the ferry to La Palma sail from?+
Day to day, from Los Cristianos in the south. Only once a week does the Baleària ferry on the mainland line sail from Santa Cruz de Tenerife, around six hours.
Can I bring my car?+
Yes, every ferry to La Palma carries vehicles. With a rental car, check your rental firm's terms, as many don't allow taking it to another island. There are rental car desks at the port of Santa Cruz de La Palma.
Is there a ferry from Gran Canaria to La Palma?+
Only rarely. Baleària Canarias sails direct from Las Palmas to Santa Cruz de La Palma a few times a month, seven to eight hours. Going via Tenerife is more frequent and usually faster.
Is there a ferry from mainland Spain to La Palma?+
Yes, Baleària Canarias from Cádiz, around 47 hours with stops on the other islands, roughly once a week in season. The route page explains the terminal, cabins and vehicle transport.