Santa Cruz de La Palma to San Sebastián de La Gomera Ferry

This crossing links two of the quieter western Canary Islands: Santa Cruz de La Palma, capital of green, volcanic La Palma, and San Sebastián de La Gomera, the harbour town from which Christopher Columbus set sail and the gateway to La Gomera's laurel forests. It is a far shorter and more frequent connection than the long east-west Canary crossings.

Direct sailings and connections

The route is served by the archipelago's main carriers – Fred Olsen Express, Naviera Armas and Baleària. Marketed direct sailings between the two western ports take in the region of 3 hours 50 minutes over roughly 52 nautical miles of open Atlantic. In practice, many La Palma–La Gomera itineraries are timed as connections through Los Cristianos on Tenerife, the busy hub that both islands share, so a single ticket may involve changing ships. Always check whether the sailing you book is a through service or a connection, as this affects both journey time and comfort.

Ships and what to expect

Fred Olsen Express runs modern fast catamarans, while Naviera Armas and Baleària operate conventional and fast ferries; all carry foot passengers and vehicles. On-board you will typically find cafeteria service, comfortable seating and outdoor deck space – pleasant on a crossing that skirts the western flank of Tenerife's Teide.

• Operators: Fred Olsen Express, Naviera Armas, Baleària
• Direct crossing: around 3h 50m over about 52 nautical miles
• Routing: some services connect via Los Cristianos (Tenerife)
• Carries: foot passengers, cars and campervans

With several combinations available most days of the week, this is a realistic day-hop between two of the Canaries' most scenic islands – ideal for walkers pairing La Palma's Caldera de Taburiente with La Gomera's Garajonay National Park.