Spain to Canary Islands ferry routes, schedules & prices

Your Atlantic journey to the Canaries starts here!
Mon, 17 November 2025 The Ferryhopper Team

If your perfect getaway starts with slowing down, stretching out and letting the horizon guide you, then set your sights on the Canary Islands, where volcanic landscapes, golden beaches and endless sunshine await.

Ferries from Cádiz and Huelva connect you to the archipelago, giving you time to unwind before you even set foot on the islands. All you need to do is pick an island, pack your bags, and let the Atlantic do the rest!

In this guide, we break down all Spain - Canary Islands ferry routes, including durations, schedules, prices and companies, and help you book your ferry tickets in just a few clicks.

View of ferry arriving at Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

Ferry arriving at the port of Tenerife in the Canaries

Traveling from Spain to the Canary Islands by ferry

Traveling from mainland Spain to the Canary Islands by ferry is one of the most relaxed and scenic ways to reach the archipelago. Instead of rushing through airports, you can bring your car, settle into a cabin and enjoy a comfortable overnight crossing across the Atlantic.

Ferries regularly set sail for Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and La Palma from 2 major ports on the Atlantic coast of Spain, Cádiz and Huelva. With spacious facilities, restaurants, lounges and pet-friendly options, the journey becomes part of the holiday itself.

Good to know: for more travel destination and idea, check out our complete guide on Spain ferry schedules.

Spanish ports with ferry connections to the Canaries

There are 2 cities with ports on mainland Spain that serve ferry connections to the Canary Islands: Cádiz and Huelva.

Cádiz is the historic gateway to the Canaries and offers the most extensive network of crossings. From the port of Cádiz, you can travel by ferry to Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, La Palma, Lanzarote and Tenerife. This makes Cádiz the best option if you want direct access to more than one island.

Huelva is the second mainland port on the southern coast of Spain with regular departures to the Canary archipelago. From Huelva, you can travel by ferry to Gran Canaria and Tenerife. While there are fewer destination options, ferry crossings from Huelva are usually more frequent and slightly shorter than those from Cádiz.

View of cactus garden and windmill in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain

Don’t forget to pack your hiking shoes to explore the countryside in Lanzarote

Spain to Canary Islands ferry schedules

The Spain - Canary Islands ferry routes are served with regular weekly departures from both Cádiz and Huelva. These long-distance crossings are operated by Naviera Armas, Baleària and Fred. Olsen, with routes serving 5 major islands.

While exact timetables may vary based on season and demand, most departures follow stable weekly patterns, making it easy to plan ahead. In this section, you'll find a detailed breakdown of every ferry route, including operating days, duration and indicative ticket prices.

For further information and details on traveling from the Spanish mainland and between the islands, take a look at our guide on Canary Islands ferries.

Ferries from Cádiz to Canary Islands

You can travel by ferry from Cádiz to Puerto del Rosario in Fuerteventura, Arrecife in Lanzarote, Las Palmas in Gran Canaria, Santa Cruz in La Palma and Santa Cruz in Tenerife.

Naviera Armas serves the ferry connections to the Canary Islands from Cádiz and the trip takes 26.5 to 56 hr, depending on the destination.

  • Cádiz - Fuerteventura: available once per week, typically on Tuesday, this route connects the Andalusian port with Puerto del Rosario. The journey takes as little as 28 hr and ticket prices start from about €115.
  • Cádiz - Gran Canaria: you can travel 2 times a week, usually on Tuesday and Saturdays, from Cádiz to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. This route includes an intermediate stop, either Arrecife in Lanzarote or Puerto del Rosario in Fuerteventura, with the trip lasting 35 hr and tickets priced from €116.
  • Cádiz - La Palma: there is 1 weekly ferry from mainland Spain to La Palma, which normally sets sail on Tuesday and includes 4 stops at Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Tenerife before reaching Santa Cruz de La Palma. Tickets cost from about €116 and the trip lasts around 56 hr.
  • Cádiz - Lanzarote: you can catch the ferry 1 time per week (typically on Tuesday), which takes 26.5 hr to reach Arrecife, the capital of Lanzarote. Ticket prices normally start from about €115.
  • Cádiz - Tenerife: there are 2 weekly ferry crossings to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which as little as 37 hr and normally include 3 stops along the way, at Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria. Ticket prices start from around €116 and ferries usually set sail on Tuesday and Saturday.

Ferries from Huelva to the Canaries

You can travel by ferry from Huelva to Las Palmas in Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz Tenerife, with ferries operated by Baleària and Fred. Olsen. The ferry trip normally takes around 31 hr.

  • Huelva - Gran Canaria: you can travel by ferry up to 4 times a week to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Crossings are normally on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and the trip takes as little as 30.5 hr, which ticket prices start from €116. Many ferries are direct, however some include a stop at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
  • Huelva - Tenerife: there are around 3 ferries per week from Huelva to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which normally set sail on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. The journey takes around 31 hr and while most crossings are direct, some include a stop at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Tickets are priced from around €116.

Good to know: there is currently no active Huelva - Lanzarote ferry route, but you can travel from Cádiz, which is about a 2-hr drive from Huelva. Alternatively, you can sail directly from Huelva to Gran Canaria and then continue on the Gran Canaria - Lanzarote ferry to Arrecife.

Sunset view of Maspalomas town and dunes in Gran Canaria, Spain

The Maspalomas Dunes in Gran Canaria are nothing short of magical at sunset

Travel tips

Here are some useful tips to keep in mind when planning your ferry trip from mainland Spain to the Canary Islands:

  • The ports of Cádiz and Huelva can get busy, especially in the summer, so we recommend arriving at the port at least 45 min before departure. If you are traveling with your vehicle, it’s highly recommended to be there 1.5 hr in advance.
  • The sea can get a bit bumpy, so if you are sensitive to the waves, consider taking seasickness medication before the trip. As always, your pharmacist or doctor can help you pick the right one.
  • We recommend booking a cabin for greater comfort and privacy during the trip. However, you can also book a reclining seat in the VIP lounge, which also comes with priority boarding.
  • With great weather all year-round, there is no real best month to visit the Canaries. That said, there are a few differences to keep in mind, which you can find in our complete guide on the climate of the Canary Islands.
  • For an extra special winter escape, consider spending the Christmas holidays in the Canaries!
  • Don’t forget that you can bring your pup along! The islands even take their name from the Latin term for “dog” and there is no shortage of dog-friendly beaches in the Canaries.
  • If you’re feeling like you can’t get enough of the Canaries, you can plan an island-hopping excursion and visit the rest of the archipelago! On our Map of ferries, you can find all ferry combinations for island hopping in the Canary Islands and plan your next adventure!

FAQs

How long is the Spain to Canary Islands ferry trip?

The ferry trip from mainland Spain to the Canaries can last from 26.5 hr to 64 hr, depending on the port of departure and your destination. Here are the typical duration times of the major mainland Spain to Canary Islands ferry routes:

  • Cádiz - Fuerteventura: 28 hr to 37 hr
  • Cádiz - Gran Canaria: 35 hr to 39 hr
  • Cádiz - La Palma: 55 hr to 64 hr
  • Cádiz - Lanzarote: 26 hr 30 min to 31 hr 30 min
  • Cádiz - Tenerife: 37 hr to 43 hr 30 min
  • Huelva - Gran Canaria: 30 hr 30 min to 43 hr
  • Huelva - Tenerife: 31 hr 15 min to 36 hr 30 min

What’s the fastest ferry from Spain to the Canary Islands?

The fastest ferry is from Cádiz to Lanzarote, which normally takes as little as 26 hr 30 min for the journey.

Can I travel on the Spain to Canary Islands ferry with a car?

Yes, the ferries serving the ferry connections between mainland Spain and the Canaries have car decks. The price of transporting a vehicle depends on the type, as well as route and ferry company. Indicatively, prices start from €115 for a car, €65 for a motorbike and €205 for a camper van.

How much luggage can I bring on the ferry from Spain to the Canaries?

Each ferry company has its own luggage policy:

  • When traveling by ferry from mainland Spain to the Canaries with Baleària and Fred. Olsen, you are allowed up to 20 kg of luggage.
  • On Naviera Armas ferries to the Canary Islands from the Spanish mainland, you are allowed up to 4 items of luggage with a maximum combined weight of 60 kg.

Are pets allowed on Spain - Canary Islands ferries?

Yes, you can bring your pets on the Spain - Canary Islands ferry, provided you include them in your booking. Depending on the company and ferry, you may also have the option of booking a pet-friendly cabin or a place in the kennels.

During the trip, you must keep your four-legged friend in a carrier or wearing a muzzle on a leash. Don’t forget to bring along the necessary health documents, tickets and any pet supplies you may need for the journey.

Good to know: for more information, check out our guide on traveling with your pet in Spain.

Which ferry companies operate Spain-Canaries routes?

There are 3 companies serving ferries from mainland Spain to the Canary Islands:

  • Baleària serves ferry routes from Huelva to Gran Canaria and Tenerife.
  • Fred. Olsen Express offers combined Huelva routes in partnership with Baleària.
  • Naviera Armas mainly operates Cádiz routes to the Canaries.

Panoramic view of Los Cancajos in La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain

The volcanic beaches of La Palma await!

Book your Spain to Canary Islands ferry tickets

Ready for your next island escape? Plan your journey from Spain to Lanzarote, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura or La Palma and dive straight into a smooth, scenic Atlantic crossing!

On Ferryhopper, you can compare ferries from mainland Spain to the Canary Islands, check real-time schedules, see the latest ticket prices, and book your ferry tickets with no hidden fees.