Both companies are reliable and serve the same islands, so the choice is a practical one: which port is near you, what time you leave and who's cheaper that day. For La Gomera, compare the two for the same day, because the price changes. For Gran Canaria, choose by destination: Fred. Olsen drops you in Agaete and Baleària in the city of Las Palmas.
Who's who
Fred. Olsen Express (fredolsen.es) has 12 fast passenger ferries (Benchijigua, Bencomo, Bentago, Bañaderos and Bajamar Express, among others) and three cargo ships. Its phone line is open from 08:00 to 20:00 every day.
Baleària Canarias (baleariacanarias.com) is the former Naviera Armas, or Armas Trasmediterránea. Baleària bought its Canary Islands routes after approval from the Spanish competition authority (CNMC), took control in May and now operates under its own brand. During the changeover you'll still see the Armas name on some ships, and the old website redirects to the new one. If you were searching for "Naviera Armas Tenerife", this is it.
Routes from Tenerife
| Route | Fred. Olsen Express | Baleària Canarias |
|---|---|---|
| Los Cristianos → San Sebastián de La Gomera | 50 min, up to 5 a day, from €39.74 | about 50 min, daily, from €42 |
| Santa Cruz de Tenerife → Gran Canaria | to Agaete, 80 min, several a day | to Las Palmas, 1 h 40, up to 6 a day, from €62 |
| Los Cristianos → Santa Cruz de La Palma | 2 h 30, up to 2 a day | about 2 h 30, daily, from €55 |
| Los Cristianos → El Hierro (La Estaca) | 2 h 20, daily | about 2 h 20, daily |
Prices are "from" fares for a non-resident adult, one way, on the cheapest day: both companies use dynamic pricing. Where there's no figure, check the price in the company's booking search. Exact timetables aren't published outside the booking engine either.
Ships and on-board service
To La Gomera, Fred. Olsen uses the Benchijigua Express trimaran and the Bencomo Express catamaran; Baleària uses the Volcán de Tirajana (daily) and the Pepita Castellví (Monday to Saturday). On Gran Canaria, Fred. Olsen runs a bus between Agaete and Las Palmas.
Fred. Olsen takes pets under three different options, has free wifi on board and luggage trolleys for €1. On La Gomera it also runs a coastal route San Sebastián–Playa Santiago–Valle Gran Rey.
Booking, check-in and discounts
- Check-in: Fred. Olsen asks you to be there up to 1 hour beforehand. With Baleària, foot-passenger boarding closes 20 minutes before departure, and 40 minutes if you have a car.
- Free bus: Fred. Olsen has a free bus between Santa Cruz and the port of Los Cristianos, which you book with your ticket. Handy if you're staying in the capital.
- Changes: Fred. Olsen allows free changes and gives discounts of up to 25% to under-26s and over-60s.
- Documents: ID card or passport is checked at boarding.
Ferry on your own or an organised trip
| Platform | Product | Rating | Price | Where to book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GetYourGuide | From South Tenerife: La Gomera Island Day Trip with Lunch | 4.1 (2,224) | €110 | See on GetYourGuide |
| Tiqets | La Gomera Day Trip From Tenerife | 4.4 (29) | €110 | See on Tiqets |
Adult prices checked on 2 October 2026. They can change with the date; each platform confirms the final price.
A return ferry to La Gomera starts at around €79.48 with Fred. Olsen or €84 with Baleària at "from" prices. An organised trip costs from €110 with ferry, coach around the island, guide and lunch, roughly €26–31 more. Without a hire car, the organised trip is worth it; the ferry on your own only makes sense if you're staying in San Sebastián, sleeping on the island or crossing with a car.
GetYourGuide also lists a ferry ticket for La Gomera's internal route from €30, with very few reviews and a low rating. To cross from Tenerife, buy on the ferry company's website.
Our rating
Score
- Frequency
- 4/5Up to 5 daily sailings to La Gomera with Fred. Olsen, plus Baleària's.
- Speed
- 5/550 minutes to La Gomera; 80 minutes to Gran Canaria via Agaete.
- Price for tourists
- 3/5Full, dynamic fares; the 75% discount is for residents only.
- Ease of booking
- 4/5Direct online sales with both; timetables only in the booking search.
- Clarity
- 3/5The rebrand from Armas to Baleària is still under way.
The good
- Two companies on the same route: compare and choose.
- La Gomera crossing of about 50 minutes.
- Free Santa Cruz–Los Cristianos bus with Fred. Olsen.
- Foot passengers can board up to 20 minutes before departure with Baleària.
The not so good
- Dynamic pricing: the "from" fare is the cheapest day.
- Timetables only visible in the booking engine.
- Two different ports depending on where you're going.
- The resident discount doesn't apply to visitors.
Who it suits and alternatives
Fred. Olsen suits you if you're going to Gran Canaria via Agaete, if you're staying in Santa Cruz and want its free bus to Los Cristianos, or if you're under 26 or over 60. Baleària, if you're heading for the city of Las Palmas or you're short of time to board on foot.
If you just want a day on La Gomera, look at the organised trips first in La Gomera from Tenerife. To get to the port, there are buses in our TITSA review and transfers in airport transfers. The Los Cristianos guide explains the port, and if what you're after is a trip out on the water rather than a crossing, see boat trips.
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How long is the ferry from Tenerife to La Gomera?
About 50 minutes from the port of Los Cristianos to San Sebastián de La Gomera, with both Fred. Olsen Express and Baleària Canarias.
How much is the ferry from Tenerife to La Gomera?
From €39.74 one way with Fred. Olsen and from €42 with Baleària for non-residents. Prices are dynamic and go up on busier days.
Does Naviera Armas still operate in Tenerife?
Not under that name. Baleària bought Armas Trasmediterránea's Canary Islands routes and operates as Baleària Canarias; the old website redirects to the new one.
Which port does the ferry from Tenerife to Gran Canaria leave from?
Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Fred. Olsen reaches Agaete in 80 minutes and Baleària reaches Las Palmas in 1 h 40.
Do tourists get a discount on the ferry?
No. The 75% discount is only for Canary Islands residents. Fred. Olsen offers discounts of up to 25% to under-26s and over-60s.
