Canary Islands
Ferries to Tenerife
Which port for which island - all ferry connections to Tenerife with crossing time, frequency and ferry company
- Gran Canaria in 80 minutes from Agaete, in 100 minutes from Las Palmas - up to 17 departures a day
- La Gomera in 50 minutes, La Palma in 2.5 hours, El Hierro in 2 hours 20 - all from Los Cristianos
- Mainland: Cádiz in 33 hours with Baleària Canarias, Huelva in 37 hours with Fred Olsen Express
- Crossing times from both ferry companies' timetables
- Two ports, all connections on one page
- Book directly with the operator
Tenerife route map
The map shows all ferries heading to Tenerife. Santa Cruz in the northeast is the port for Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and the mainland, Los Cristianos in the south the port for the three western islands.
- Balearia
- Naviera Armas
- Fred Olsen Express
Balearia50 minutes
Check prices →Fred Olsen Express50 minutes
Check prices →Naviera Armas50 minutes
Check prices →Fred Olsen Express2 hours 30 minutes
Check prices →Balearia2 hours 30 minutes
Check prices →Naviera Armas2 hours 30 minutes
Check prices →Fred Olsen Express2 hours 20 minutes
Check prices →Fred Olsen Express1 hour 20 minutes
Check prices →Balearia8 hours 40 minutes
Check prices →Naviera Armas10 hours 10 minutes
Check prices →Balearia33 hours
Check prices →Naviera Armas33 hours
Check prices →Fred Olsen Express32 hours
Check prices →Balearia1 hour 40 minutes
Check prices →Naviera Armas1 hour 40 minutes
Check prices →Balearia4 hours 10 minutes
Check prices →Naviera Armas4 hours 10 minutes
Check prices →Naviera Armas10 hours 10 minutes
Check prices →Naviera Armas6 hours
Check prices →Connections to Tenerife
All feeder routes with crossing time, frequency and booking - from the 80-minute fast ferry to the overnight crossing from Cádiz.
Prices per person, one way
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Which port, which island
Table of Contents
Tenerife is the hub of Canary Islands ferry traffic, just not from a single port. Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the northeast connects the island with Gran Canaria, the two eastern islands and mainland Spain. Los Cristianos in the south is the port for La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro. If you're changing islands, you choose the port first, then the ferry.
Gran Canaria from Santa Cruz and Agaete
The busiest route in the Canary Islands has two options. Fred Olsen Express runs the catamarans Bajamar Express, Bencomo Express and Banaderos Express between Santa Cruz and Agaete in the northwest of Gran Canaria, 80 minutes, seven departures a day, all year round. If you're heading to Las Palmas, take the company's Ferry Bus from Agaete into the capital. Baleària Canarias sails straight into the port of Las Palmas, around 100 minutes, four to five departures a day with the ships Volcán de Taidía and Volcán de Tagoro.
For the car question it makes no difference, as both companies carry vehicles. The difference lies in the arrival: Agaete is a small port with no town, while Las Palmas sits right in the middle of the city. Check-in, the Ferry Bus and arrival in detail: Ferry Tenerife - Gran Canaria.
La Gomera from Los Cristianos
The shortest crossing of the western islands, 50 minutes to San Sebastián de La Gomera. Fred Olsen Express sails three times a day with Benchijigua Express, Bencomo Express or Barlovento Express, Baleària Canarias four times with Pepita Castellví or Volcán de Tirajana. Together that's around seven departures a day, all year round, with vehicles carried. Some of the Baleària sailings continue on to La Palma. Full details on Ferry Tenerife - La Gomera.
La Palma from Los Cristianos
Both companies take around two and a half hours to Santa Cruz de La Palma, two departures a day each. Some Baleària departures call at San Sebastián de La Gomera on the way. There's also a rare alternative from Santa Cruz de Tenerife: the Baleària ferry heading to Cádiz stops once a week at Santa Cruz de La Palma, a six-hour crossing. Everything on the route on Ferry Tenerife - La Palma.
El Hierro from Los Cristianos
The smallest island has one connection: Fred Olsen Express to Valverde (Puerto de La Estaca), 2 hours 20 minutes, one departure a day, all year round, with the catamaran Bentago Express. Vehicles are carried. The outbound sailing is usually in the late afternoon, the return in the early afternoon; details on Ferry Tenerife - El Hierro.
Fuerteventura and Lanzarote from Santa Cruz
You can reach the eastern islands directly from Santa Cruz de Tenerife, but slowly. Baleària Canarias sails to Morro Jable in the south of Fuerteventura twice a day, around four hours. To Puerto del Rosario and to Arrecife on Lanzarote, the ship takes around ten hours, usually overnight, one departure a day or less often. The detour via Gran Canaria is often quicker: fast ferry to Agaete, bus to Las Palmas, and from there 105 minutes to Morro Jable. The direct routes in detail: Ferry Tenerife - Fuerteventura.
From the mainland via Cádiz and Huelva
Two overnight crossings run from Andalusia to Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Baleària Canarias departs from Cádiz, around 33 hours, calling at the eastern islands on the way, one or two departures a week. Fred Olsen Express sails the Marie Curie from Huelva, around 37 hours with a stop in Las Palmas, three times a week. Both ships carry cars, motorhomes and pets; everything on booking, the terminal and the crossing is on the route pages Cádiz - Tenerife and Huelva - Tenerife.
Taking your car on the ferry
Every ferry to and from Tenerife carries vehicles, from bicycles to motorhomes. With Baleària Canarias you need to be at the terminal 90 minutes before departure with a vehicle, 60 minutes without. Fred Olsen Express asks for your number plate when you book; the boarding time is shown on your boarding pass. Rental cars are the special case: check your rental firm's terms before booking, as many contracts rule out taking the car to another island. If you're only going to La Gomera or Gran Canaria for the day, leaving the car behind and boarding as a foot passenger gets you there faster.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the ferry to Tenerife
Which ferry port on Tenerife is the right one?+
That depends on the neighbouring island. For Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and the mainland, you sail from Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the northeast. For La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro, all ferries depart from Los Cristianos in the south. The two ports are around 75 kilometres apart by motorway.
How long does the ferry from Tenerife to Gran Canaria take?+
With Fred Olsen Express from Santa Cruz to Agaete, 80 minutes; with Baleària Canarias from Santa Cruz to Las Palmas, around 100 minutes. Together that's more than 15 departures on a normal day - the current day's sailings are shown in the timetable.
Can I bring my car on the ferry to Tenerife?+
Yes, on all connections. Fred Olsen Express's fast ferries and Baleària Canarias's ships carry cars, motorbikes and bicycles. With a rental car you need to check the rental terms first, as many rental firms in the Canary Islands don't allow taking the car to another island.
Is there a ferry from mainland Spain to Tenerife?+
How early do I need to be at the port?+
With Baleària Canarias, the rule on the Canary Islands routes is 90 minutes before departure with a vehicle and 60 minutes without. Fred Olsen Express states the boarding time on your boarding pass; on the fast ferries between the islands, a good half hour is usually enough. On the overnight crossing from Huelva, allow considerably more buffer time.