Las Palmas to Santa Cruz de Tenerife Ferry

The crossing from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Santa Cruz de Tenerife links the two provincial capitals of the Canary Islands, joining the archipelago's busiest port to the harbour beneath the Anaga mountains on Tenerife's north-eastern tip. It is one of the few inter-island sailings that connects two full city centres rather than a resort or a quiet outport, which makes it as much a commuter and business line as a holiday route.

Operators and vessels

The corridor is worked primarily by Naviera Armas (Armas Trasmediterránea) using large ro-pax fast ferries of the Volcan de Tagoro and Volcan de Taidia class, ships that carry well over a thousand passengers together with several hundred cars, motorhomes and freight units. Balearia Canarias also runs the link with a high-speed catamaran, so exact timings depend on which vessel you catch.

Crossing time and frequency

Depending on the ship, the passage across the open Atlantic between the islands takes roughly two and a half to three and a half hours, with the faster craft trimming that further. There are several departures spread across the day, seven days a week and all year round, so you can usually match a sailing to a morning meeting or an afternoon connection.

What to expect on board

• Full vehicle decks for cars, motorbikes, campervans and commercial loads.
• Airline-style reclining seats plus lounges, cafeterias and shops on the larger ferries.
• An easy walk-on option from Santa Catalina harbour in the heart of Las Palmas, close to the city and the Las Canteras beach district.

Because both terminals sit inside their respective cities, this route suits travellers who want to arrive downtown without a long transfer, or drivers moving a vehicle between Gran Canaria and Tenerife.