Huelva to Las Palmas Ferry

The Huelva to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria ferry has grown from a secondary gateway into one of the busiest sea links between mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. Far from being a rare or seasonal service, it now runs several times a week from the Andalusian port of Huelva across roughly 700 nautical miles of Atlantic to Gran Canaria's capital.

Operator and 2026 changes

As of 1 June 2026, the route is operated exclusively by Fred. Olsen Express, which took sole control after its previous partner Baleària withdrew from the joint venture. The flagship on the crossing is the Buenavista Express, a 172-metre ro-pax ferry carrying up to 944 passengers and around 390 vehicles, supported by an additional chartered ship into late 2026. A separate weekly Naviera Armas sailing has also historically served this pairing.

Frequency and crossing time

Fred. Olsen Express runs up to four weekly rotations connecting Huelva with Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Journey times typically fall between 31 and 46 hours depending on whether the sailing runs direct or calls at Tenerife first. Departures generally leave Huelva in the afternoon or evening.

Onboard and vehicles

Built for long ocean passages, the ships offer cabins, reclining seats, restaurants, bars and shops, and they carry cars, motorbikes, vans and freight. Huelva's position gives some mainland drivers a shorter road approach than Cádiz, which has helped the route expand its capacity year on year. Las Palmas is the largest port in the Canary Islands and a major hub for onward inter-island ferries, so many travellers use this crossing as their entry point to the wider archipelago before continuing to Lanzarote, Fuerteventura or the western islands.