Canary Islands Ferries: Island-Hopping Routes, Times & Operators
Ferries between Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, La Palma, El Hierro and La Graciosa, and from mainland Spain: crossing times and operators.
📋 Essential Pre-Departure Checklist
- ✓Tenerife–Gran Canaria: Fred. Olsen’s Agaete crossing is the quickest (about 80 minutes)
- ✓Going to Fuerteventura’s south coast? Use Las Palmas–Morro Jable
- ✓Western islands sail from Los Cristianos in south Tenerife, not Santa Cruz
- ✓Both main operators take cars, foot passengers and pets; check pet conditions when booking
Who runs the Canary Islands ferries?
Two operators run most inter-island routes: Fred. Olsen Express, with fast ferries, and Baleària Canarias (formerly Naviera Armas), with fast and conventional ferries. Both carry cars and foot passengers, and both take pets. Líneas Romero runs the short passenger crossing from Órzola in north Lanzarote to La Graciosa.
Tenerife ↔ Gran Canaria
The busiest link. Fred. Olsen Express sails Santa Cruz de Tenerife–Agaete (north-west Gran Canaria) in about 80 minutes, with up to 8 departures a day from each port. Baleària Canarias sails Santa Cruz de Tenerife–Las Palmas in about 1 hour 40 minutes, with up to 6 sailings a day.
Gran Canaria to Fuerteventura and Lanzarote
For Fuerteventura, fast ferries run Las Palmas–Morro Jable in the south of the island in 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours (Fred. Olsen Express has 4 a day from each port), and Baleària Canarias runs an overnight sailing to Puerto del Rosario (about 6 hours 15 minutes). Las Palmas–Arrecife (Lanzarote) is a daily Baleària Canarias sailing of about 6 hours.
The western islands: La Palma and El Hierro
From Los Cristianos in south Tenerife, ferries reach Santa Cruz de La Palma in about 2 hours 30 minutes (daily with both operators; Fred. Olsen Express up to 4 a day) and El Hierro in about 2 hours 20 minutes (daily, with schedules varying by season and day). Baleària Canarias also links La Gomera and La Palma twice a day Monday to Saturday, calling at Los Cristianos (about 4 hours).
From mainland Spain
You can take a car to the Canaries by sea. Baleària Canarias sails from Cádiz twice a week: Tenerife in about 33 hours on the direct Saturday sailing, Gran Canaria in about 35 hours, and Lanzarote (Tuesday) in about 28 hours. Fred. Olsen Express sails from Huelva up to 3 times a week to Tenerife and Gran Canaria, taking 36 to 50 hours depending on calls.
Canary Islands ferries: crossing times and frequency
As published by each operator (checked 29 September 2026). Timetables vary by season and day of week.
| Route | Operator | Frequency | Crossing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz de Tenerife ↔ Agaete (Gran Canaria) | Fred. Olsen Express | up to 8 a day each way | about 80 min |
| Santa Cruz de Tenerife ↔ Las Palmas | Baleària Canarias | up to 6 a day | about 1h 40m |
| Las Palmas ↔ Morro Jable (Fuerteventura) | Fred. Olsen Express / Baleària Canarias | daily (Fred. Olsen 4 a day) | 1h 45m – 2h |
| Las Palmas → Puerto del Rosario (Fuerteventura) | Baleària Canarias | 1 overnight a day | about 6h 15m |
| Las Palmas → Arrecife (Lanzarote) | Baleària Canarias | daily | about 6h |
| Los Cristianos → Santa Cruz de La Palma | Fred. Olsen Express / Baleària Canarias | daily (Fred. Olsen up to 4) | about 2h 30m |
| Los Cristianos → El Hierro | Fred. Olsen Express / Baleària Canarias | daily | about 2h 20m |
| La Gomera → La Palma (via Los Cristianos) | Baleària Canarias | 2 a day, Mon–Sat | about 4h |
| Órzola (Lanzarote) → La Graciosa | Líneas Romero | 8+ a day | 25 – 30 min |
| Cádiz → Tenerife | Baleària Canarias | 2 a week | about 33h direct |
| Huelva → Tenerife / Gran Canaria | Fred. Olsen Express | up to 3 a week | 36h – 50h |
Checked 2026-09-29 against: Fred. Olsen Express routes · Baleària Canarias Gran Canaria–Tenerife · Baleària Canarias Tenerife–La Palma · Líneas Romero Lanzarote–La Graciosa schedule. Policies change; confirm with the operator before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest ferry from Tenerife to Gran Canaria?
Fred. Olsen Express from Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Agaete, in about 80 minutes with up to 8 departures a day (September 2026). Baleària Canarias to Las Palmas takes about 1 hour 40 minutes.
Can I take my car between the Canary Islands?
Yes. Fred. Olsen Express and Baleària Canarias carry cars on their inter-island routes; the La Graciosa boat from Órzola is passengers only.
Is there a ferry from mainland Spain to the Canary Islands?
Yes. Baleària Canarias sails from Cádiz twice a week (about 33 hours to Tenerife on the direct sailing) and Fred. Olsen Express from Huelva up to 3 times a week (36 to 50 hours).