Given its close proximity, many travelers choose to hop on a ferry from Tenerife to Gran Canaria to explore all the fantastic attractions of this island.
One of the main advantages of taking the ferry to Gran Canaria from Tenerife is that you can bring along a rental car if you happen to have one. Plus, it’s much more practical and faster than flying, since you can save a lot of time bypassing the trips to and from the airport as well as the whole security process.
When it comes to booking your ferry tickets, my top recommendation is to use DirectFerries. The best thing about DirectFerries is how user-friendly it is when it comes to finding the best prices and schedules for the two main ferry companies connecting these islands: Fred Olsen Express and Naviera Armas.
But if you want to learn more about how to take a boat trip from Tenerife to Gran Canaria, you’re in the right place. In this guide to Tenerife, I’ll explain all your options for ferry trips, along with prices, schedules, and other viable alternatives. If you’re planning to visit more islands, you can consult our guide on ferries in Tenerife.
How to travel from Tenerife to Gran Canaria by ferry
Getting from Tenerife to Gran Canaria by ferry is very easy! Depending on the time of year, there are up to 90 weekly trips -managed by Naviera Armas and Fred Olsen Express- that link these two Islands.
How to travel from Tenerife to Gran Canaria by ferry
There are two routes for taking a ferry from Tenerife to Gran Canaria. The first one connects Santa Cruz de Tenerife in Tenerife to Las Palmas in Gran Canaria. The second one links the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Agaete in Gran Canaria. The first route takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes, while the second one takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes due to the shorter distance between the ports.
So, if you’re looking for the fastest way to get from Tenerife to Gran Canaria by boat, the route to Agaete port is your best bet. In my opinion, the time difference doesn’t matter much here, so it mainly depends on your plans and what attractions in Gran Canaria you want to visit.
Companies that connect Tenerife and Gran Canaria by ferry
Currently, two companies offer boat trips from Tenerife to Gran Canaria: Fred Olsen Express and Naviera Armas. Each has its own pricing and schedules, so I recommend comparing them on DirectFerries so you can find the best deal.
Let’s dive into a bit more detail about each of these companies to help you make an informed choice for your Tenerife to Gran Canaria ferry trip:
Fred Olsen, the most popular company to travel to Gran Canaria from Tenerife by boat
Fred Olsen is one of the most popular cruise companies with ferries from Gran Canaria to Tenerife. If you choose Fred Olsen, you will get to your destination quicker, since their boats are faster. Plus, since we’ve taken a ferry from Tenerife to Gran Canaria from Fred Olsen, I can assure you that both boarding and disembarking are typically fast and orderly.
If you opt for the Fred Olsen ferry from Gran Canaria to Tenerife, you can bring your vehicle for an additional fee. Plus, you can travel with your pets, even in a cabin, as long as you specify this when booking.
Another interesting thing about Fred Olsen is its flexible change and cancellation policy. You can easily change the time of the ferry trip from Gran Canaria to Tenerife as long as you haven’t booked your ticket during special offers and rates. Additionally, you can cancel your booking if you’ve chosen the Flexible or Gold rate.
Naviera Armas, another company that connects Tenerife and Gran Canaria by ferry
Naviera Armas is another reputable company that does Tenerife to Gran Canaria ferry trips. But if you go with Naviera Armas, you should be prepared for a slightly longer travel time compared to Fred Olsen.
However, you still have the option to bring your car on board for an extra cost, as well as your pet. Keep in mind that if you want to bring your pet with you, you have to let the company know when you make the reservation. And remember that there’s a weight limit of 65 lbs.
You should also keep in mind that Naviera Armas doesn’t accept trip changes or cancellations. So, if you want to take a ferry from Tenerife to Gran Canaria with Naviera Armas, but you’re not sure if you can make the trip, consider purchasing travel insurance for trip cancellation.
DirectFerries, the best website to find ferries from Tenerife and Gran Canaria
Whether you’re traveling with Fred Olsen or Naviera Armas, DirectFerries is the go-to website for finding the best prices and checking ferry schedules between Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
The website is very easy to use. To search for your ferry from Gran Canaria to Tenerife, just select Santa Cruz de Tenerife as your departure port and pick either the port of Las Palmas or Agaete as your destination. You must also choose between round-trip or one-way. Next, you must indicate the number of passengers, whether you are traveling with a pet, and whether you’re bringing a car.
One of the advantages of booking your ferry from Tenerife to Gran Canaria through DirectFerries is that you can manage modifications to your trip and cancellations through the same platform, no matter which company you’re traveling with. Plus, it works like a search engine which makes it easier for you to find a cheap boat from Tenerife to Gran Canaria.
Tenerife to Gran Canaria ferry schedules
As for the ferry times between Tenerife and Gran Canaria, they might vary depending on the time of year, so I recommend checking the DirectFerries website to find the most up-to-date information.
Typically, ferries from Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Las Palmas run from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. On the Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Agaete route, the first ferry usually sets sail at 6:00 a.m., and the last one departs at 9:00 p.m. That said, you should expect ferries to run about once every hour during this timeframe, especially during the high season.
Tenerife to Gran Canaria ferry schedules
The travel time from Tenerife to Gran Canaria by ferry is usually about 1 hour and 20 minutes or 1 hour and 40 minutes, depending on the route you choose.
You can check the exact times below.
Price of the ferry from Tenerife to Gran Canaria
The price of a ferry from Tenerife to Gran Canaria can also fluctuate depending on the season, demand, and various factors. If you’re going with Fred Olsen Express, which runs the route between Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Agaete, you can find tickets starting at €45 for a one-way trip, which comes to €90 round-trip. If you book through Naviera Armas, which runs the route between Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas, you’ll find tickets beginning at €60 for a one-way journey, which equals €120 round-trip.
Price of the ferry from Tenerife to Gran Canaria
If you’re bringing your car along, you must pay an extra fee of at least €10 each way. This means that a passenger with a car will pay at least €55 for a one-way ticket and a minimum of €100 round-trip. Keep in mind that the car fee can vary based on its size, the time of year you travel, available seats, and the ferry company. So, I recommend you book in advance.
You can check the updated boat prices to Gran Canaria from Tenerife below.
Advantages and disadvantages of going by ferry to Gran Canaria from Tenerife
Traveling from Tenerife to Gran Canaria by boat comes with several benefits, and the biggest one is the time you save compared to taking a flight.
Although a flight from Tenerife to Gran Canaria only lasts around 30 minutes, when you factor in the time spent traveling to and from the airport, along with the check-in and security procedures, it ends up being a much longer process.
Advantages and disadvantages of going by ferry to Gran Canaria from Tenerife
On the other hand, the ferry ports are located in central areas, and they are easily accessible via public transport or even on foot, which makes them much more convenient.
Another great advantage of taking a ferry from Gran Canaria to Tenerife is that there are no restrictions on luggage weight, and you can bring your pet along without any hassle. You can even bring a rental car from Tenerife.
Additionally, traveling from Gran Canaria to Tenerife by boat is both safe and comfortable, and you can often find good deals by booking early through DirectFerries.
Airplane flight, another option for traveling from Tenerife to Gran Canaria
An alternative to taking a ferry from Tenerife to Gran Canaria is booking a flight. The flight between Tenerife and Gran Canaria is very short, taking just 30 minutes to hop from one island to the other. There are low-cost airlines operating on this route. So, if you book your flight early, you might even find tickets starting at €30. Of course, you should keep in mind that if you want to bring extra luggage, select specific seats, or enjoy any other additional services, you’ll need to pay an extra fee.
Airplane flight, another option for traveling from Tenerife to Gran Canaria
If taking a boat from Tenerife to Gran Canaria doesn’t quite fit your plans or you haven’t found good deals, I recommend searching for flights from Tenerife to Gran Canaria on Kiwi.com. You can also check out our guide on how to find cheap flights in Tenerife.
FAQs – Ferry from Tenerife to Gran Canaria
While you’ve got all the information you need about the ferries between Tenerife and Gran Canaria, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions:
How long does the boat take from Tenerife to Gran Canaria?
The duration of a ferry trip between Tenerife and Gran Canaria is 1 hour and 20 minutes or 1 hour and 40 minutes, depending on the route chosen.
How much does it cost to go by ferry to Gran Canaria from Tenerife?
You can find ferry tickets from Tenerife to Gran Canaria starting at €45 per person per one-way trip. If you want to bring a car, you should add an average cost of around €10.
Do ferries operate daily from Tenerife to Gran Canaria?
Yes, you can catch a ferry to Gran Canaria from Tenerife every day.
Can I take my rental car on the ferry from Tenerife to Gran Canaria?
Absolutely, you’re allowed to bring your rental car on the ferry from Tenerife to Gran Canaria. However, I recommend checking the rental terms and conditions to ensure there are no restrictions against taking the car off the island.
Are pets accepted on the ferry to Gran Canaria from Tenerife?
Yes, you can bring your pets along on the ferry from Tenerife to Gran Canaria.
Can you cancel the ferry from Tenerife to Gran Canaria due to inclement weather?
Yes, ferry trips to Gran Canaria from Tenerife may be canceled due to inclement weather or other circumstances. In such cases, you can change your tickets or request a refund.
Now that you know everything about taking a ferry from Gran Canaria to Tenerife, I hope you have a fantastic time on the islands. You might also want to check out our guide on renting a boat in Tenerife, since you may want to travel from one island to another without fixed schedules and with the freedom to choose your route. And if you’re planning to visit other Canary Islands, make sure to check out our guide on ferries in Tenerife.
If you have any questions or wish to share your island-hopping adventures, feel free to leave a comment below. I would be happy to hear from you!
Have a great time in Tenerife and Gran Canaria!
