Ferry travel and island hopping in Tenerife
Explore the Canary Islands by ferry
Tenerife is a beautiful island, part of the Canary complex, and it is ideal for island hopping. Here you can find information about ferry routes between Tenerife and the rest of the Canary Islands, as well as useful travel tips.
Below, you will find everything you need to know about island hopping in Tenerife:
The mesmerizing scenery of the south coast of Tenerife
Traveling to Tenerife
The Spanish island is popular for its magnificent natural sites, its renowned Carnival of Santa Cruz, as well as its amazing beaches. It is one of the most visited destinations in the Canaries and its key location means it’s easy to hop on a ferry to the neighboring islands.
From Tenerife's 2 ports you can catch a direct ferry to:
If you wish to explore the Iberic peninsula, you can also catch the ferry to Huelva or Cádiz and immerse yourself in Andalusia.
In the Canary island you can enjoy warm weather all year round. The best time to go to Tenerife is between June and September. However, the island is bustling with life even during the winter months, as the temperature is always mild and stable.
If you’re looking for a place to stay on the island, you’ll be glad to find out that there are many options for partying, relaxation, and exploration. The area of Costa Adeje, near the famous Siam Waterpark, is one of the best accommodation options.
The island’s airports offer connecting flights to major European cities, making it very easy to get there.
Which are the ports of Tenerife?
There are 2 ports in Tenerife, connecting the island with the rest of the Canaries: Los Cristianos and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
- The port of Los Cristianos is in the south of the island, close to Costa Adeje and the famous all-day party beach of Las Américas.
- The port of Santa Cruz is located in the island’s capital and it is the best destination to explore the northern part of Tenerife, including the Rural de Anaga Park.
The port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife with the Anaga Mountains in the background
Traveling by ferry from Tenerife
Tenerife is the ultimate destination for island hopping in the Canaries. The island is in the center of the complex, which means you can travel to the neighboring islands easily throughout the year. Besides, there are regular ferry routes from Tenerife to mainland Spain. Here are some popular itineraries from the ports of Tenerife for 2023:
Ferry from Tenerife to Huelva
From the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, you can travel by ferry to Huelva 3 days a week on average. Tickets usually start at €122. The Tenerife - Huelva ferry crossing is serviced by 2 ferry companies and the trip duration ranges from around 31 to 37 hours. In Huelva, you will enjoy amazing beaches and have the chance to explore one of the oldest towns in Europe.
Ferry departing from Los Cristianos port in Tenerife
Ferry from Tenerife to Cádiz
There's also the option to take the ferry from Tenerife to Cádiz in Andalusia. The itinerary is normally available once a week by Naviera Armas and the trip duration is approximately 53 hours. You can get a ticket for around €175. The port city of Cádiz is one of the most ancient in Europe. Make sure you visit the city's Phoenician remains.
Ferry from Tenerife to El Hierro
With Naviera Armas, you can travel by ferry from Tenerife to El Hierro 6 times per week. It takes 2.5 hours to reach the port of Valverde from Los Cristianos, and the ticket price is around €64. El Hierro is known for its natural sights and outdoor activities.
Ferry from Tenerife to La Gomera
The Tenerife - La Gomera ferry route is serviced by Naviera Armas and Fred Olsen Express with 6-7 daily ferry crossings. It only takes 50 minutes to 1 hour to reach the port of San Sebastián from Los Cristianos and tickets start at around €43. Hiking through the volcanic mountains of La Gomera is a must!
Ferry from Tenerife to La Palma
The itinerary is normally operated by Naviera Armas and Fred. Olsen Express, with tickets starting at €53. Catching the ferry from Tenerife to La Palma is possible daily and it takes between 2.5 and 4 hours to travel from Tenerife to Santa Cruz de La Palma. Follow the Volcano Route in La Palma to witness its amazing landscapes.
Ferry from Tenerife to Gran Canaria
There are regular ferries from Tenerife to Gran Canaria, arriving at the ports of Las Palmas and Agaete from Santa Cruz de Tenerife. You can catch a ferry serviced by Naviera Armas and Fred. Olsen Express. There are up to 15 daily ferries and the tickets for this route start at around €49. The fastest ferries take 1 hour 20 minutes for this crossing. When in Gran Canaria, don’t forget to visit the iconic beach of Maspalomas.
Ferry from Lanzarote approaching the port of Los Cristianos in Tenerife
Ferry from Tenerife to Fuerteventura
There are only indirect crossings from Tenerife to Fuerteventura, passing by Gran Canaria. The total cost for the tickets starts at about €130 and it takes around 4.5 hours to travel from Santa Cruz to either Morro Jable or Puerto del Rosario in Fuerteventura. Ferryhopper suggests that you visit the Natural Park of Corralejo to see the impressive sand dunes.
Ferry from Tenerife to Lanzarote
At this moment, you can only get from Tenerife to Lanzarote indirectly, passing by Gran Canaria. The duration of the Tenerife - Lanzarote ferry crossing is between 11 and 22 hours and tickets start at around €174 in total. Once you arrive in Lanzarote, you will be able to visit quaint markets and swim in exotic beaches.
Tip: from Lanzarote, you can easily reach the island of La Graciosa. There are frequent ferry crossings to the port of Caleta de Sebo in La Graciosa, so that you can visit the untamed beaches of the small island in just 25 minutes!
Resting time for the camels in the desert of El Jable in Lanzarote
Book island hopping tickets for Tenerife online
On Ferryhopper, you can easily book island hopping tickets for Tenerife. Find all the information you need about available ferry routes on Ferryhopper’s Map of ferries, compare ferry companies and itineraries, and plan your trip in the Canaries.
