fast ferry Benchijigua Express Fred Olsen
fast ferry Benchijigua Express
âš“ The Benchijigua Express was the highest-capacity fast ferry of her class in the world when she was launched, and she remains one of the most advanced vessels ever to have worked in the Canary archipelago. Operated by Fred Olsen Express, she links the western islands of the archipelago — Tenerife, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma — at speeds of up to 40 knots, and for years she set the benchmark for speed and capacity in Canarian inter-island transport.
The Benchijigua Express was built at the Austal shipyard in Henderson (Australia) and delivered to Fred Olsen in 2005. At 126.5 metres long and with room for 1,360 passengers and 340 vehicles, she is a high-speed aluminium catamaran (HSC) designed specifically for Atlantic conditions in the Canary Islands, where the sea can be demanding even in summer.
Her name honours Benchijigua, a historic place name on La Gomera that refers to a valley and settlement in the south of the island, and which in turn recalls the ancient Guanches, the archipelago's pre-Hispanic inhabitants. Fred Olsen's tradition of naming its ships after Canarian place names ties the fleet directly to the territory it serves.
History and background of the ship
The Benchijigua Express (IMO 9299056) is not a catamaran: she is the largest civilian trimaran in the world, a landmark in naval engineering built between 2003 and 2005 at the Austal Ships yard in Henderson (Western Australia), yard number 260. Launched in September 2004 and delivered in April 2005, her triple aluminium hull was so revolutionary that the United States Navy drew on her plans to develop its Independence-class littoral combat ships. During sea trials in Australia she exceeded 40 knots.
Since entering service in May 2005 she has worked without interruption for Fred. Olsen Express, serving as the backbone of passenger and freight transport in the western islands of the archipelago for more than two decades. Her trunk route links the port of Los Cristianos (Tenerife) daily with San Sebastián de La Gomera and Santa Cruz de La Palma. She is the third ship in the operator's history to carry the name — after a hamlet on La Gomera — following a conventional ferry of 1974 and a catamaran of 1999.
Full technical specifications
| Ship type | Aluminium fast ferry catamaran (HSC) |
| Length overall | 126.5 m |
| Beam | 30.5 m |
| Draught | 4.05 m |
| Service speed | 36 knots |
| Top speed | 40 knots |
| Passenger capacity | 1,360 people |
| Vehicle capacity | 340 cars (or the equivalent in heavy vehicles) |
| Propulsion | 4 MTU engines / Rolls-Royce waterjets |
| Passenger decks | 2 |
| Build material | High-strength marine aluminium |
| Shipyard | Austal, Henderson (Australia) |
| Year built | 2005 |
| IMO number | 9322255 |
| Flag | Spain |
| Class / certification | Bureau Veritas HSC |
| Record in her class | Highest-capacity fast ferry in the world in her year of delivery (2005) |
Routes operated and indicative timetables
| Route | Duration | Usual departure* |
|---|---|---|
| Los Cristianos (Tenerife) → El Hierro (La Estaca) | ~2 h 00 min | ~08:00 |
| El Hierro (La Estaca) → Los Cristianos (Tenerife) | ~2 h 00 min | ~11:30 |
| Los Cristianos (Tenerife) → Santa Cruz de La Palma | ~2 h 15 min | ~08:30 |
| Santa Cruz de La Palma → Los Cristianos (Tenerife) | ~2 h 15 min | ~13:00 |
| Los Cristianos (Tenerife) → San Sebastián de La Gomera | ~50 min | ~10:00 |
| San Sebastián de La Gomera → Los Cristianos (Tenerife) | ~50 min | ~08:00 |
* Indicative timetables, subject to season, weather conditions and availability. Confirm the exact departure time in our search engine.
The port of Los Cristianos: the Canarian ferry hub
The port of Los Cristianos (Tenerife) is the Benchijigua Express's main boarding point and the central hub for inter-island links across the western archipelago. Set in the municipality of Arona, in the south of Tenerife, it is an easy 15-minute drive from Tenerife South airport (TFS), which makes it the ideal gateway for combining a flight with a ferry to La Gomera, El Hierro or La Palma.
The port has its own car park, a covered waiting area and check-in for vehicles. We recommend arriving at least 60 minutes beforehand if you are travelling with a vehicle, and 30 minutes as a foot passenger. In high season (summer and Easter) it is worth allowing extra time.
Fares, discounts and how to book
The price of a ticket on the Benchijigua Express varies with the route, the season and how far ahead you book. As a rough guide, the Los Cristianos–San Sebastián de La Gomera trip starts at €25 per person on the basic fare, while the longer routes to El Hierro or La Palma can start at €40–55. Vehicle fares are charged on top of the passenger fare.
Available discounts:
- Canary Islands resident: 75% off the base fare for residents registered in the Canary Islands. You must prove it with a Spanish ID card (DNI) or a certificate of registration (empadronamiento) when boarding.
- Large family: discounts apply according to the category (general or special). The relevant documents must be shown at boarding.
- Children: reduced fares for under-18s. Babies under 1 usually travel free (with no seat of their own).
- Fred Olsen Club: the operator's loyalty scheme. Collect points and unlock exclusive offers for regular customers.
You can compare prices and real-time availability directly on I Love Ferry.
Which accommodation should you choose for your trip?
| If you are travelling... | Recommended accommodation |
|---|---|
| Alone or as a couple, looking for the best price | Standard tourist seat |
| With family and children | Standard seat (family area) |
| Looking for extra comfort and privacy | Preferente / Business lounge |
| With a pet | Standard seat + reserved pet place |
| A quick day trip to La Gomera | Tourist seat (~50 min crossing) |
fast ferry Benchijigua Express · Accommodations
Tourist Seat · Standard
The most affordable accommodation on the Benchijigua Express. Reclining seats in spacious lounges with plenty of natural light. Perfect for short hops to La Gomera (~50 min) or for travellers who put price first on the longer crossings.
✓ Reclining seat with headrest
✓ Spacious lounge with panoramic windows
✓ Access to the café and the onboard shop
✓ Access to the outside deck
✓ The cheapest fare available
Preferente Lounge · Business
A restricted-access lounge with roomier seats in a better position on board. It offers a quieter, more spacious setting, ideal for business trips or for passengers who want more comfort during the crossing.
✓ Exclusive lounge with controlled access
✓ Wider seats with more room between rows
✓ A quieter, calmer atmosphere
✓ Prime views outside
✓ A step up in onboard service
fast ferry Benchijigua Express · On-board services
Café and food service
The Benchijigua Express has an onboard café serving hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, snacks and quick meals. On short hops such as the one to La Gomera (~50 minutes) the service is quick; on the longer routes to El Hierro and La Palma (2-2.5 hours) there is plenty of time for a proper meal on board.
Outside deck
The Benchijigua Express has an outside deck open to passengers, from which you can take in the Atlantic views and watch the outlines of the islands go by as you sail. It is one of the spaces passengers rate most highly, especially on the run to La Gomera with Mount Teide behind you.
Travelling with a dog on board
Accessibility — passengers with reduced mobility
The Benchijigua Express has facilities adapted for passengers with reduced mobility, including accessible entrances and reserved areas in the passenger lounges. We recommend contacting Fred Olsen Express in advance to arrange boarding at the port of Los Cristianos and to guarantee the assistance you need.
Comfort on board: technology against the sea
Sailing the Atlantic between the western Canary Islands can be demanding, with frequent trade winds and considerable swell at certain times of year. The Benchijigua Express carries technology designed to keep movement to a minimum:
- Aluminium catamaran design: the twin-hull structure gives more lateral stability than conventional monohulls, reducing roll.
- Stabiliser fins: a system that reduces pitching at high speed.
- Lightweight aluminium superstructure: the lower overall weight lets her keep up speed and comfort even in a moderate sea.
- Waterjet propulsion: the Rolls-Royce waterjets give better manoeuvrability and response when berthing, which cuts turnaround times in port.
Sustainability and environmental impact
The Benchijigua Express was designed in 2005 to the environmental standards of her day, prioritising efficiency through her lightweight aluminium structure and highly efficient waterjet propulsion. Marine aluminium is not only light and corrosion-resistant but also highly recyclable at the end of a ship's working life.
Fred Olsen Express is steadily modernising its fleet to cut emissions and fuel use. The Benchijigua Express, with her MTU engines and Rolls-Royce waterjets, runs on very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO), in line with MARPOL Annex VI and the emission limits of the Atlantic emission control area.
Benchijigua Express: the ship that broke world records
When the Benchijigua Express was delivered to Fred Olsen Express in 2005, she set a world record: she was the highest-capacity fast ferry in the world in her class, combining 1,360 passengers and 340 vehicles at a top speed of 40 knots. The Australian shipyard Austal — a specialist in high-speed aluminium catamarans — built her at its Henderson facility in Australia.
Her design was a direct answer to the needs of the Canarian market: frequent links, enough freight capacity to supply small islands such as El Hierro, and enough speed to compete with flying on comfort and journey time. Almost two decades after her launch, the Benchijigua Express is still a benchmark in fast inter-island transport in the Canaries.
Frequently asked questions about the Benchijigua Express
Which routes does the Benchijigua Express operate?
She operates mainly from Los Cristianos (Tenerife) to San Sebastián de La Gomera (~50 min), La Estaca (El Hierro) (~2 h) and Santa Cruz de La Palma (~2 h 15 min) for Fred Olsen Express. Routes and frequencies can change with the season.
How long does the Benchijigua Express take from Tenerife to La Gomera?
The Los Cristianos–San Sebastián de La Gomera trip takes roughly 50 minutes. It is the ship's shortest and most frequent route.
How long does the Benchijigua Express take from Tenerife to El Hierro?
The Los Cristianos–La Estaca (El Hierro) trip takes roughly 2 hours, depending on sea conditions and on the exact routing worked in each season.
Does the Benchijigua Express carry cars?
Yes. She has a car deck for up to 340 vehicles. If you are travelling by car, get to the port of Los Cristianos at least 60 minutes beforehand. In high season it is worth allowing extra time.
What accommodation does the Benchijigua Express offer?
Two types: the Tourist Seat (standard, the cheapest, with access to every area of the ship) and the Preferente Lounge (restricted access, wider seats, a quieter atmosphere).
Is there a Canary Islands resident discount?
Yes. Residents registered in the Canary Islands are entitled to a 75% discount on the base fare, on production of a Spanish ID card (DNI) or a certificate of registration (empadronamiento).
Are pets allowed on the Benchijigua Express?
Yes, subject to conditions. Fred Olsen Express accepts pets in a cage or an approved carrier. You must say so when you book and show health documentation. Check the current conditions in our search engine before you travel.
Is she accessible for passengers with reduced mobility?
Yes. She has adapted facilities with accessible entrances and reserved areas. We recommend contacting Fred Olsen Express in advance to arrange the assistance you need at boarding.
How much does it cost to travel on the Benchijigua Express?
Prices are indicative. The Los Cristianos–La Gomera trip starts at ~€25; the longer routes (El Hierro, La Palma) from ~€40–55. Canary Islands residents get 75% off. Compare real-time prices here.
Where do I board on Tenerife?
Boarding on Tenerife is at the port of Los Cristianos (Arona, southern Tenerife), about 15 minutes from Tenerife South airport (TFS). The port has parking, a covered waiting area and vehicle check-in.
How early do I need to get to the port?
With a vehicle: at least 60 minutes beforehand. As a foot passenger: 30 minutes is enough. In high season (July, August, Easter), allow extra time.
Does the Benchijigua Express sail in bad weather?
The Benchijigua Express is designed for Canarian Atlantic conditions, but sailings can be suspended in strong winds or rough seas. Fred Olsen Express announces any disruption on its website and at the port. Always check the state of the service before setting off.
What does the name Benchijigua mean?
Benchijigua is a historic place name on La Gomera that refers to a valley in the south of the island, evoking the Guanche heritage (the pre-Hispanic culture of the Canaries). Fred Olsen Express keeps up the tradition of naming its ships after places in the Canary archipelago.
When was the Benchijigua Express built, and what record does she hold?
She was delivered in 2005 by the Australian shipyard Austal (Henderson). At the time of her launch she was the highest-capacity fast ferry in the world in her class, with 1,360 passengers and 340 vehicles at 40 knots. She remains a benchmark in fast Canarian inter-island transport.
Is there a café on board the Benchijigua Express?
Yes. She has an onboard café-bar with drinks, sandwiches, snacks and hot dishes throughout the crossing, available on every route the ship works.
