Santander to Somo Ferry

This is not a large car ferry but a much-loved small passenger launch across the Bay of Santander in Cantabria, northern Spain. Operated for over 50 years by Los Reginas, the little boats known locally as las lanchas shuttle foot passengers from the quay in central Santander over to Somo and the neighbouring village of Pedreña on the far shore. It is a local commuter and beach service, not an international or vehicle-carrying crossing.

Crossing time and frequency

The hop across the bay is very short, taking only about 20 to 30 minutes, and in the warmer months the boats run very frequently, roughly every half hour through the day. The service is busiest in summer, when it is the fastest and most scenic way for beachgoers to reach Somo's long Atlantic surf beach without the long road detour around the bay. Los Reginas operates throughout the year, though sailings are more frequent and run later in the high season.

Who it suits and what you can bring

The launch is aimed at foot passengers, day-trippers, surfers and cyclists. You can bring bicycles and leashed dogs, generally at no extra charge, but no cars are carried, so drivers must use the road route. Fares are inexpensive — €4.00 one way and €6.50 return at 2026 prices.

The experience

Beyond pure transport, the short voyage doubles as a mini bay cruise, offering views of Santander's waterfront, the Magdalena Peninsula and the green Cantabrian hills. It is a simple, characterful local boat rather than a full ferry, and part of its charm is exactly that modest, traditional nature.

August 2026 timetable

Los Reginas publishes the crossing as two separate timetables, and the weekday one is not simply the weekend one with extra sailings.

• Monday to Friday (3–21 August 2026) — 32 sailings to Somo, from 08:55 through to a last boat at 22:30, running roughly every 20 to 30 minutes across the middle of the day.
• Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays (1–23 August 2026) — 31 sailings, starting later at 09:35 and again finishing at 22:30.

Watch the two early weekday departures. The 07:35 and 08:15 boats are marked on the operator's timetable as calling at Pedreña only — they do not continue to Somo. The first sailing that actually reaches Somo on a weekday is 08:55.

Fares are simple and cheap: €4.00 one way, €6.50 return. The same boats serve Pedreña, and in summer Los Reginas also runs a separate service to the sandbar beach at El Puntal — about 10 minutes from Santander, €4.00 one way or €5.70 return, with a 10-journey pass at €25.00.

One operator caveat worth respecting: sailings can be altered at short notice because of tides or bad weather, and the published timetable is seasonal. Check the current schedule before travelling outside the dates above.