Spanish Ferry Routes, Balearic Islands & Strait of Gibraltar

Connects the Catalan capital with the White Isle of Ibiza. Allows travelers to transport their own vehicles, motorhomes, and equipment to Ibiza with zero airport luggage restrictions.

The main ferry between mainland Spain and Mallorca, linking Barcelona with Palma. Overnight sailings with cabins save a hotel night, and taking your own car is often far cheaper than hiring one on the island in peak season.

The shortest ferry from mainland Spain to Ibiza, from the Costa Blanca port of Dénia. Fast ferries cut the journey to around two and a half hours, much quicker than the overnight routes from Barcelona or Valencia.

The only way to reach Formentera, the smallest inhabited Balearic island, famous for Ses Illetes beach. Fast ferries shuttle from Ibiza town to La Savina in about half an hour, with slower car ferries alongside.

The short Atlantic crossing from southern Tenerife to La Gomera, a green island known for the Garajonay laurel forest and its whistled language. It is a popular day trip from the Tenerife resorts.

The short hop between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote across the Bocayna Strait, passing Isla de Lobos. With frequent sailings, it is easy to combine two Canary Islands in one holiday.

The only way to take your own car from Andalusia to Tenerife without a transfer: Baleària Canarias’ Volcán de Tinamar sails from the Bay of Cádiz to Santa Cruz de Tenerife in about 33 hours on its direct Saturday departure. It is used mainly by people relocating, touring in motorhomes or bringing a lot of luggage to the islands.

A two-night-style voyage from the Bay of Cádiz to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for travellers bringing a car, motorbike, caravan or motorhome. Tuesday sailings call at Arrecife on Lanzarote; Saturday sailings change to a fast ferry in Santa Cruz de Tenerife for the final hop.

The shortest mainland-to-Canaries ferry crossing, running once a week from Cádiz to Arrecife, Lanzarote’s capital. With cabins on the Volcán de Tinamar and room for vehicles, it is the natural choice for drivers heading to Lanzarote or, via Playa Blanca, northern Fuerteventura.

Fred. Olsen Express’s long-haul link from the Outer Port of Huelva to Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Buenavista Express, with cabins, berths, a saltwater pool and a 24-hour reception. Some departures run direct and others call at Gran Canaria first.

Fred. Olsen Express connects western Andalusia with Las Palmas de Gran Canaria from Huelva’s South Pier, a practical alternative to Cádiz for drivers coming from Seville, Extremadura or Portugal. Sailings are direct or call at Tenerife.

The direct capital-to-capital link between Gran Canaria and Tenerife, sailing from Las Palmas to Santa Cruz de Tenerife in about 1h 40m. Most sailings use Baleària Canarias fast ferries; a conventional ferry with cabins also works the route.

The shortest sea crossing between Gran Canaria and Tenerife: Fred. Olsen Express trimarans sail from Agaete’s Puerto de Las Nieves to Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 80 minutes. A free connecting ferry bus runs from Las Palmas city centre to the port.

Two operators link Los Cristianos in south Tenerife with Santa Cruz de La Palma, the “Isla Bonita”, in about two and a half hours. It is the main sea route to La Palma for drivers, hikers heading to the Caldera de Taburiente and residents.

The sea lifeline to El Hierro, the smallest and most remote of the main Canary Islands, sailing from Los Cristianos to La Estaca near Valverde in about 2h 20m. Both Baleària Canarias and Fred. Olsen Express run fast ferries that carry cars.

The fast link from Gran Canaria to the Jandía peninsula in the far south of Fuerteventura, landing at Morro Jable close to its long white-sand beaches. Both Baleària Canarias and Fred. Olsen Express run daily fast ferries that carry cars.

An overnight ferry from Las Palmas to Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura’s capital, arriving in the early morning. It suits drivers heading to central and northern Fuerteventura who would rather sleep aboard than drive down from Morro Jable.

The year-round conventional ferry between Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, linking Las Palmas with Arrecife in about six hours. Cabins, a restaurant and plenty of vehicle space make it the way to move a car between the two islands.

A through-sailing between the two western “green islands”: the ferry leaves San Sebastián de La Gomera, calls for about 40 minutes at Los Cristianos in Tenerife, then continues to Santa Cruz de La Palma without passengers changing vessel.

A coastal catamaran along La Gomera’s south coast, calling at Playa de Santiago on the way from the island capital to the beaches of Valle Gran Rey. It saves the long mountain drive and gives views of the cliffs you only get from the sea.

The short hop across El Río strait from Órzola, at Lanzarote’s northern tip, to Caleta de Sebo on La Graciosa, the eighth inhabited Canary island with no paved roads. Visitors explore on foot or by bike once they land.

Baleària’s direct link from Barcelona to Ciutadella on Menorca’s west coast, either on the fast ferry Margarita Salas in about 3h 30m or on a night ferry with cabins that arrives early in the morning. Cars, bikes and pets are carried.

The ferry into northern Mallorca, landing at Alcúdia instead of Palma, handy for Pollença, Cap de Formentor and the bay of Alcúdia’s beaches. Baleària and Trasmed both sail it, with night crossings and cabins.

An evening departure from Barcelona that sails into Mahón’s long natural harbour, one of the largest in the Mediterranean, on Menorca’s east coast. GNV runs it as a seasonal direct service with cabins and vehicle decks.

The main ferry corridor between the Valencia region and Mallorca, with Baleària, GNV and Trasmed all sailing between Valencia and Palma. Crossings take roughly 7–9 hours depending on the ship; Baleària and the two ports are developing it as Spain’s first “green maritime corridor”.

A direct, conventional ferry from Valencia to Ibiza run by three companies. Baleària’s version leaves Valencia at nightfall so you can sleep in a cabin and wake up in Ibiza; there is no fast ferry on this route.

Baleària’s fast ferry from Dénia on the Costa Blanca to Palma, making a brief call in Ibiza on the way. It is the quickest sea route to Mallorca from the Alicante area, with room for cars, motorbikes and bicycles.

The only direct mainland ferry to Formentera: from March onwards Baleària’s fast ferry Ramon Llull links Dénia and La Savina in about two hours. Outside the direct season, the journey runs via Ibiza with a transfer.

The fast ferry between the two biggest Balearic islands, taking just over two hours from Palma to Ibiza’s Botafoc terminal. Timings let you leave Mallorca early and return the same evening, and Formentera is a further 30 minutes on from Ibiza.

The shortest crossing between Mallorca and Menorca, linking Alcúdia in the north of Mallorca with Ciutadella on Menorca’s west coast. Baleària’s fast ferry Margarita Salas does it in about an hour, and early-morning conventional ferries with cabins also run.

The ferry from Morro Jable, in the south of Fuerteventura, to Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Baleària Canarias’ fast ferries call at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on the way but you stay on the same ship, so it is one booking and one boarding, with your car if you want it, in about 4 hours 15 minutes.

A once-a-week night ferry between the two island capitals, Puerto del Rosario on Fuerteventura and Arrecife on Lanzarote, on Baleària Canarias’ Sicilia. Most travellers use the short Corralejo – Playa Blanca crossing instead; this one suits drivers already heading to or from Arrecife port.

Lanzarote to Tenerife by sea with your car: Baleària Canarias sells Arrecife to Santa Cruz de Tenerife as one journey, on the Sicilia to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and then the high-speed Volcán de Taidía on to Tenerife, about 9 hours 10 minutes in all.

Mainland Spain to Fuerteventura with your own car: once a week Baleària Canarias’ Volcán de Tinamar sails from the Bay of Cádiz to Arrecife on Lanzarote (about 27 hours), and the journey continues from Playa Blanca to Corralejo on the Volcán de Tindaya. It is sold as one trip, about 28 hours 35 minutes in all.

The sea route from mainland Spain to La Palma for people moving to the island or bringing their own car: Baleària Canarias’ Saturday sailing from Cádiz reaches Santa Cruz de Tenerife in about 33 hours, and the journey continues from Los Cristianos to Santa Cruz de La Palma. Allow about 47 hours 30 minutes in all.

Gran Canaria to La Gomera on one Fred. Olsen Express ticket: a fast ferry from Agaete to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the free Ferry Bus across Tenerife to Los Cristianos, then the fast ferry to San Sebastián de La Gomera. Sailing time is 2 hours 10 minutes; with the connection, allow 5 to 6 hours.

There is no direct ferry from Gran Canaria to La Palma, but Fred. Olsen Express sells it as one trip: Agaete to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, its free Ferry Bus to Los Cristianos, then the fast ferry to Santa Cruz de La Palma. Sailing time is 3 hours 50 minutes; with the connection, about 5 to 6 hours.

Gran Canaria to El Hierro, the smallest and most westerly of the main Canary Islands, with Fred. Olsen Express: a fast ferry from Agaete to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the free Ferry Bus to Los Cristianos, then the ferry to Valverde’s port of La Estaca. Sailing time is 3 hours 40 minutes, plus the connection.

Barcelona to Formentera on one Baleària booking: an overnight ferry to Ibiza, arriving first thing in the morning, then a fast ferry that reaches Formentera in about 30 minutes. Cabins with private bathrooms make the night crossing part of the holiday, and you can take your car.

Mallorca to Formentera in about four hours with Baleària: daily early-morning departures from Palma (from 08:00) make a same-day return possible. The route stops in Ibiza, where you connect with Baleària’s boat on to Formentera; foot passengers get a bus between Ibiza’s ports.

Valencia to Formentera with Baleària: an overnight departure to Ibiza, arriving early in the morning, then the crossing on to Formentera to start the day on the island. Private cabins with full bathrooms are available, and you can bring a car, motorbike or van.

Trasmed’s ferry between Palma and Mahón, Menorca’s capital, links the two biggest Balearic islands’ main ports for drivers who want to land in Mahón rather than Ciutadella. It runs about once a week and takes about six hours; most travellers use Alcúdia – Ciutadella instead.

The direct mainland link from Valencia to Mahón, on Menorca’s east coast, with Trasmed. It sails about once a week and takes about 16 hours, so it suits drivers bringing a car who would rather not change in Mallorca.