Ferries Tenerife

The ferry operators serving Tenerife routes offer discounts up to 50% to certain passenger categories. While these discounts differ from one company to another, you can expect lower ferry ticket prices for: 

• Children up to 11 years old
• Young passengers (under 26)
• Senior travelers (60+ years old)

Infants and toddlers up to 2-3 years old normally travel free of charge.

Additionally, there are discounts for Canary Islands residents for even greater savings on Tenerife ferry tickets.

The best time to book Tenerife ferry tickets depends on when you plan to travel. During the high season, from July to August, as well as for major holidays such as the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Easter and Christmas or New Year, it is recommended to book your tickets at least 2-3 months in advance. The warm weather and mild climate in the Canaries mean Tenerife is very popular almost all year round, so ferries can fill up fast, particularly for cabins and vehicles.

If you’re planning a sunny getaway in Tenerife and the Canaries during winter, between December and February, we recommend booking a couple of months in advance. By booking in September to November, you'll how more options and you will be able to take advantage of early-booking deals.

The most affordable time of the year to visit Tenerife is normally during spring or autumn. During these months, it’s possible to find good ferry deals closer to your departure date, though ferry frequency might be decreased.

In general, if you already know your dates, it’s always safer to book as soon as possible, especially for popular routes from mainland Spain or when combining Tenerife with other destinations on an island-hopping trip in the Canaries.

Thanks to its central location in the Canaries, Tenerife is an ideal starting point for exploring more islands in the Atlantic archipelago. The island is served by frequent ferry connections from Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Los Cristianos, making island hopping easy and flexible all year round. The most popular direct inter-island ferry routes from Tenerife include:

• Tenerife - La Gomera: up to 8 daily ferries year-round, with a travel time of around 50 min to the port of San Sebastián. Ferry tickets usually start from €43.
• Tenerife - Gran Canaria: travel to both main ports of Gran Canaria via the Tenerife - Las Palmas and Tenerife - Agaete ferry routes. There are up to 15 daily crossings in total, with a journey time of around 1.5 hr and ticket prices from €50.
• Tenerife - La Palma: departures run 3-4 times a day from Los Cristianos and once a week from Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The ferry trip lasts 2.5 hr or up to 7 hr, depending on the route, with tickets starting from about €51.
• Tenerife - El Hierro: normally up to 3 daily ferries, with an average travel time of around 2.5 hr and ticket prices starting from €51.

Aside from direct routes, there are also indirect ferry connections from Tenerife to more Canary Islands. These routes include a stop along the way (most often Gran Canaria) and may require changing ferries. There is usually at least 1 daily crossing with a guaranteed connection, meaning that if your first ferry is delayed, the following one will wait for you. The most popular indirect ferry routes from Tenerife are:

• Tenerife - Fuerteventura: travel from Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Morro Jable or Puerto del Rosario with a stop in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Total travel time can be as little as 4.5 hr, with indirect tickets starting from around €110.
• Tenerife - Lanzarote: usually at least 1 daily ferry from Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Arrecife, via Las Palmas. The trip takes just over 9.5 hr, with ticket prices from €160.
• Tenerife - La Graciosa: this route requires 2 ferry changes. First, you sail from Tenerife to Lanzarote via Gran Canaria, then travel by car to the port of Órzola, where ferries depart for La Graciosa. The full journey takes around 13.5 hr, with combined ticket prices starting from €190.

There are several ferry companies linking Tenerife with other islands in the Canaries and mainland Spain.

Tenerife - Canary Islands

• Fred Olsen operates fast and frequent ferry services between Tenerife and La Gomera, La Palma, El Hierro, as well as Gran Canaria (Agaete and Las Palmas). The company mainly uses high-speed ferries, making it ideal for quick inter-island trips.
• Naviera Armas serves routes between Tenerife and La Gomera, La Palma, El Hierro, and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, with both high-speed and conventional vessels.

From mainland Spain:

• Baleària and Fred Olsen serve the route from Huelva to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, with conventional ferries suited for overnight crossings.
• Naviera Armas operates ferry connections from Cádiz to Tenerife, with long-distance conventional ferries offering cabins and onboard amenities.

Ferries to Tenerife provide a wide range of services, which vary depending on the route and company. Most vessels are conventional, but there are also high-speed vessels available on certain connections. Here's what you can expect:

High-speed ferries

The high-speed ferries connecting Tenerife with nearby destinations are designed to prioritize speed and comfort, while ensuring a safe trip. On most catamarans, you will find:

• Air-conditioned lounges with comfortable seats and tables
• Seating on the deck, where you can enjoy the sea view
• Bars serving coffee, snacks, and beverages
• Dedicated pet-friendly areas
• Car decks

Conventional ferries

The conventional ferries traveling between Tenerife and the Spanish mainland normally take over 1 day to reach the island, so they feature a wider range of amenities for a comfortable trip, such as:

• Air-conditioned lounges and seating on deck
• Cabins
• Restaurants and snack bars
• Play areas for children
• Entertainment
• Shops
• Dedicated pet-friendly areas
• Car decks

Some Tenerife ferries also feature a Wi-Fi hotspot to stay connected on your trip.

Cabins & accommodation

For a more comfortable trip, you can usually book a cabin for 1-4 passengers on the conventional ferries serving Tenerife routes. Typically, you have a choice between:

• Interior cabins 
• Exterior cabins with a window and sea view
• Suites (with double bed)
• Pet-friendly cabins with a bed and water bowl
• Accessible cabins for travelers with disabilities

Additionally, on most conventional and high-speed vessels, you may have the option of booking a reclining seat in the VIP or business lounge.

Good to know: you can find more details in our guide regarding on-board ferry services in Spain.

Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands and a popular travel destination of exceptional beauty. Families love that the island is one of the best destinations for winter holidays in the Canaries with kids, thanks to its mild climate, sandy beaches, and attractions while nature lovers find plenty of things to do in Tenerife all year round.

The warmer southern part of Tenerife is where you can find most resorts and is also the island’s party hub (Las Américas, Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos). For Tenerife’s more laid-back and authentic side, with quaint towns and pristine landscapes, you can explore its northern part. This is where you'll also find Castro Beach, one of the true hidden gems in the Canaries.

The long, sandy beach of Los Cristianos in Tenerife

Here are some useful tips to keep in mind when planning your ferry trip to Tenerife:

• If you are traveling with Tenerife ferries in the high season, the ports can get busy, so it is best to there at least 45 minutes in advance. Should you be traveling with your vehicle, it's best to be there 1.5 hr in advance, for a smooth boarding process.
• The sea can get a bit choppy, so if you are sensitive to the waves, consider taking seasickness medication before the trip. As always, you can discuss your options with your pharmacist or doctor.
• The journey from Cádiz and Huelva on mainland Spain to Tenerife is typically overnight, so we recommend booking a cabin for a more comfortable journey. Alternatively, you can book a reclining seat in the business lounge.
• Don’t miss the opportunity to go on a dolphin and whale watching tour in Tenerife. Although they can be spotted all year round, especially on the southwest side, they are most active in spring and winter.
• To discover the island's varied landscape, bring your bike along to check out the cycling trails in Tenerife, such as Mount Teide or Masca Valley.
• Also thinking about visiting Gran Canaria on your Canaries getaway? Take a look at our Tenerife vs Gran Canaria and find out what each island has to offer.
• The local currency is the euro. Although most places in Tenerife accept cards, it’s good to carry some cash when visiting smaller towns.

Tenerife is served by 2 ports, each offering different ferry connections across the Canary Islands and to mainland Spain: Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Los Cristianos.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Located in the Tenerife's capital on the northeastern coast, Santa Cruz is the largest and busiest port on the island, with regular ferry connections to mainland Spain (Huelva and Cádiz) and nearby islands, such as Gran Canaria and La Palma.

At just 5-6 km from the city center, which means you can get to the port in about 10-15 min by car, taxi, or local bus. As a major gateway to the island, it is well-equipped with modern facilities, with parking, shops, and easy access to the city’s attractions and hotels.

Los Cristianos

Los Cristianos is a smaller port on the sunny southern side of the island, which is very popular for travel to nearby islands. Ferries depart frequently to La Gomera, El Hierro, and La Palma, making it a hub for island-hopping in the Canaries.

The port is located in the heart of Los Cristianos town, about a 15-min walk from the main beach, with a bus station, restaurants, shops, and hotels nearby. Its central location makes it especially easy if you are traveling without a car.

Ferry route map

Below, you can see all active ferry connections to Tenerife, as well as starting prices for each route. Use our interactive Map of ferries to visualize your trip and easily plan an island-hopping adventure.