Island-hopping by sea is one of the quiet joys of a Canaries holiday. Because there are no bridges between the islands, the alternative to a short flight is a ferry — and for many routes the boat wins hands down: no airport queues, easy foot-passenger fares, the option to bring a car, and salt air and island views instead of a departure lounge. A modern fleet of fast catamarans and larger conventional ships links the archipelago daily, so you can base yourself on one island and day-trip to another, or string several islands into one trip. This guide covers the operators, the routes worth knowing, the choice between fast and conventional ferries, and how to book sensibly.
The operators
Three companies run the inter-island services, and between them they cover every useful route. Fred. Olsen Express is a long-established Canarian operator known for fast catamarans and frequent departures on the busy short routes. Naviera Armas runs a large network with both fast and conventional vessels, often over the longer crossings. And Biosphere Express operates the short, essential hop out to the tiny island of La Graciosa. Fares, timetables and vessels change with the season, so treat this guide as an orientation and confirm the current details with the operators before you travel.
Booking online in advance is usually cheaper than buying at the port, and it locks in your seat on busy sailings. Residents get discounts that visitors don't — but promotional online fares and return deals are open to everyone, so it pays to compare.
Fast versus conventional ferries
You'll generally have a choice between two kinds of boat. Fast ferries (catamarans) cut the crossing time dramatically and are the default for popular short routes — ideal for a day trip when every minute counts. Conventional ferries are larger, slower and steadier, often cheaper, and better suited to longer crossings, bigger vehicles or travellers who prefer a smoother ride in choppier weather. If you're prone to seasickness, the bigger conventional ships tend to feel more stable; on a calm day the fast cats are a breeze. For a car, check which service takes vehicles on your chosen route, as not every fast sailing does.
Routes worth knowing
Some crossings are short enough for an easy day out; others are proper voyages between distant islands. These are the ones travellers use most.
| Route | Links | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Los Cristianos ↔ San Sebastián de La Gomera | Tenerife ↔ La Gomera | Short, frequent — the classic day trip; foot or car |
| Los Cristianos ↔ Santa Cruz de La Palma | Tenerife ↔ La Palma | Longer crossing to the "Beautiful Island" |
| Los Cristianos ↔ Valverde/La Estaca | Tenerife ↔ El Hierro | Long haul to the remotest island |
| Playa Blanca ↔ Corralejo | Lanzarote ↔ Fuerteventura | Very short, very frequent — the easy hop between neighbours |
| Las Palmas ↔ Morro Jable | Gran Canaria ↔ Fuerteventura (south) | Fast catamaran across the strait |
| Las Palmas ↔ Santa Cruz de Tenerife | Gran Canaria ↔ Tenerife | Capital-to-capital; fast and conventional options |
| Órzola ↔ Caleta de Sebo | Lanzarote ↔ La Graciosa | Tiny hop to the car-free eighth island (Biosphere Express) |
Foot passenger or car?
For a day trip you almost always travel as a foot passenger — cheaper, quicker to board, and you can hire a car or hop on a bus at the other end. Taking your own vehicle across makes sense for longer stays on the far island, but it costs considerably more and, crucially, most hire-car agreements forbid taking the vehicle between islands without special permission. The near-universal advice is to rent a fresh car on each island rather than ferry one over — it's usually cheaper and spares you the paperwork. See our car hire guide for the detail.
Planning to bring a hire car on a ferry? Check the rental contract first — many explicitly prohibit inter-island travel, and doing it without consent can void your insurance. When in doubt, drop the car and pick up another on arrival.
The best day trips
Two crossings stand out for a day out. From the south of Tenerife, the quick sailing to San Sebastián de La Gomera lands you steps from the old town, with buses and tours ready for the laurel forests of Garajonay — an easy, rewarding day away from the resorts. And between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, the frequent Playa Blanca to Corralejo hop is so short it barely feels like a journey, perfect for sampling a second island over lunch. For the adventurous, the little boat from Órzola to La Graciosa reaches a car-free island of sandy tracks and empty beaches that feels a world apart.
Booking and practical tips
- Book ahead online for the best fares and a guaranteed spot, especially on summer and holiday sailings.
- Compare operators — on routes served by more than one company, times and prices differ.
- Arrive early at the port, particularly if you're taking a car; vehicle loading closes before departure.
- Watch the weather. Rough seas or a strong calima can occasionally delay or cancel crossings; leave slack in tight plans.
- Keep return tickets flexible if your plans are loose — but note the cheapest fares are often the least changeable.
Fitting ferries into your trip
Ferries slot neatly between the other legs of a Canaries holiday — the flight in, the airport transfer, the buses at each end. To stitch it all together into one smooth itinerary, our sister travel-logistics site is a useful planner for working out how to get between the islands. Once you've mapped your crossings, read getting around for what to do at each end, and if you're island-hopping on wheels, our car hire advice on renting per island will save you money. The sea between these islands is part of the pleasure — take the slow boat at least once and watch the next island rise out of the Atlantic.