Bentago Express Fred Olsen
Bentago Express
âš“ The Bentago Express is the high-speed fast ferry with which Fred Olsen Express links the central islands of the Canary archipelago, chiefly Gran Canaria and Tenerife, on crossings of around 1 hour. With room for more than 1,100 passengers and 340 vehicles, she is one of the highest-capacity ferries working the Canary inter-island routes, and stands out for a service speed of up to 36 knots — one of the fastest vessels in the Fred Olsen Express fleet.
The Bentago Express was built at the Austal shipyards in Henderson (Australia), one of the world's leading builders of high-speed aluminium vessels. She joined the Fred Olsen Express fleet and has worked the Canary inter-island routes without a break ever since, becoming an essential ship for travel between the islands.
The name: a nod to Canary history
The name Bentago refers to the culture and history of the Canary archipelago. Like other ships in the Fred Olsen Express fleet — such as the Benchijigua Express, the Bañaderos Express and the Betancuria Express — the Bentago Express keeps up the Norwegian-Canary operator's tradition of naming its vessels after pre-Hispanic figures or elements of the islands' heritage.
History and background of the ship
The Bentago Express (IMO 9213337) is the direct sister ship of the Bencomo Express, built between 1999 and 2000 at the Incat Tasmania yard in Hobart (Australia), hull number 055. When she left the yard in January 2000 she was named Benchijigua Express — the third ship in the fleet to carry that name — and began working Fred. Olsen Express's flagship services in the Canaries. In November 2004, with the arrival of the vast new trimaran, she gave up her name and was renamed for good the Bentago Express. For two decades her main route was the daily "sea bridge" between the Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and the Puerto de Las Nieves (Agaete, Gran Canaria), working in tandem with her sister ship the Bencomo Express.
In January 2021 she was at the centre of one of the most talked-about incidents in Canary shipping: during a night-time berthing manoeuvre at Agaete in a strong gale, the ship was pushed onto the rocks and grounded on her port hull. All 59 passengers and 17 crew were evacuated without injury. After a complex several-day operation by the Spanish maritime rescue service, she was refloated, taken to the ASTICAN yard in Las Palmas and fully repaired, returning to service months later. Since 2024, following the fleet reshuffle brought about by the new trimarans, she has been reassigned to the scheduled route between the Port of Los Cristianos (Tenerife) and Valverde (El Hierro).
Full technical specifications
| Ship type | Aluminium catamaran fast ferry |
| Length overall | 127 m |
| Beam | 30 m |
| Service speed | 36 knots |
| Passenger capacity | 1,100 people (approx.) |
| Vehicle capacity | 340 cars (approx.) |
| Propulsion | 4 high-speed MTU diesel engines + waterjets |
| Construction material | High-strength marine aluminium |
| Shipyard | Austal (Henderson, Australia) |
| Passenger decks | 2 |
| Stabilisation system | Yes (intercushin and stabiliser fins) |
| Flag | Spain |
| IMO number | 9354096 |
| Operating company | Fred Olsen Express |
Routes operated and indicative timetables
| Route | Duration | Usual departure* |
|---|---|---|
| Las Palmas de Gran Canaria → Santa Cruz de Tenerife | ~1 h 20 min | Several sailings a day |
| Santa Cruz de Tenerife → Las Palmas de Gran Canaria | ~1 h 20 min | Several sailings a day |
| Agaete (Gran Canaria) → Santa Cruz de Tenerife | ~1 h | Several sailings a day |
| Santa Cruz de Tenerife → Agaete (Gran Canaria) | ~1 h | Several sailings a day |
* Indicative timetables, subject to season and availability. Confirm the exact departure time in our search engine.
The ports she works from: the geography that matters
The Bentago Express operates mainly from the Port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the archipelago's two main harbours. She may also sail from the Port of Agaete, in north-western Gran Canaria, which offers the shortest crossing to Tenerife (around 1 hour) but means an extra drive of about 45 minutes from Las Palmas.
If you are heading for the south of Tenerife (Los Cristianos, Las Américas), bear in mind that the port of Santa Cruz is in the north of the island, some 75–90 minutes by car from the south. To reach southern Tenerife by ferry directly, Fred Olsen also runs routes from Los Cristianos to the western islands (El Hierro, La Gomera and La Palma).
We recommend arriving at the port at least 60 minutes beforehand if you are travelling by car, and 30 minutes if you are a foot passenger. In summer and over public holidays it is worth allowing more time.
Fares, discounts and how to book
A passenger ticket on the Bentago Express starts at roughly €40–50 each way in mid season on the Las Palmas–Santa Cruz de Tenerife route, varying with the season and how far ahead you book. Carrying a vehicle costs extra.
Available discounts:
- Canary Islands resident: 75% off the base fare for residents of the Canary Islands. You must prove residency with a Spanish ID card (DNI) or a certificate of registration (empadronamiento). It is by far the biggest discount and applies to practically every inter-island crossing.
- Large families: a discount for families holding an official large-family certificate. Check the exact conditions when you book.
- Passengers with a disability: reduced fare for passengers with a recognised degree of disability. Check availability when you book.
- Fred Olsen cards: Fred Olsen Express runs loyalty schemes for frequent travellers, particularly useful for residents who travel between the islands regularly.
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 seat (tourist class) |
| With family or a group of friends | Standard seat in the table area |
| Looking for extra comfort and quiet | Club / Premium class |
| With a pet | Standard seat + reserved pet place |
| With reduced mobility | Request accessibility assistance when boarding |
Bentago Express · Accommodations
Tourist class · Standard
The most affordable option on the Bentago Express. Comfortable seats in a shared area, with access to the café, the shop and all the ship's general areas. Perfect for short inter-island hops.
✓ Reclining seat with headrest
✓ Access to the café and onboard shop
✓ Access to the outside deck
✓ Access to all the ship's public areas
Club class · Premium
A separate lounge with larger seats and more personal space. Ideal for frequent travellers and anyone looking for extra comfort and quiet during the crossing.
✓ Separate access area
✓ Roomier, more comfortable seats
✓ Calmer, quieter surroundings
✓ Priority boarding
Bentago Express · On-board services
Café and onboard shop
The Bentago Express has an onboard café with a wide selection of hot and cold food and drink, baguettes, snacks and beverages. The onboard shop sells travel goods, snacks and convenience items throughout the crossing. As the crossings are fairly short (between 1 and 1.5 hours), the food on offer is designed for quick, easy eating.
Outside deck
The Bentago Express has an outside deck from which to enjoy views of the Atlantic and the profile of the islands during the crossing. It is one of the spaces passengers value most, especially on clear days, when you can see the peaks of Teide and the coast of Gran Canaria at the same time.
Travelling with pets
Accessibility — passengers with reduced mobility
The Bentago Express has adapted access and services for passengers with reduced mobility. We recommend telling Fred Olsen Express that you need special assistance at the time of booking, so that you are properly looked after during boarding, the crossing and disembarkation. The ports of Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Agaete also have accessibility assistance in place.
Technical comfort on board
Despite her speed of 36 knots, the Bentago Express carries stabilisation technology to keep movement during the crossing to a minimum:
- Intercushin system: wave-impact damping technology characteristic of Austal catamarans, which noticeably improves comfort on board.
- Stabiliser fins: these cut down sideways roll, which is particularly useful in the wind and swell that can build in the channel between Gran Canaria and Tenerife.
- Waterjet propulsion: the four waterjet units give excellent manoeuvrability in port and a smoother ride at high speed than conventional propeller systems.
Frequently asked questions about the Bentago Express
Which routes does the Bentago Express operate?
She mainly operates the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria–Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Agaete–Santa Cruz de Tenerife routes, with several sailings a day in both directions. The exact routes may change with Fred Olsen Express's scheduling.
How long does the Bentago Express take from Gran Canaria to Tenerife?
From Las Palmas to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, around 1 hour 20 minutes. From Agaete (north-western Gran Canaria) to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, around 1 hour.
Does the Bentago Express carry cars?
Yes. She has a vehicle hold with room for around 340 cars. If you are travelling by car, arrive at the port at least 60 minutes beforehand and book your vehicle space in advance.
How much does a ticket on the Bentago Express cost?
As a guide, a passenger ticket in tourist class starts at roughly €40–50 each way in mid season. Canary Islands residents are entitled to a 75% discount. Check real-time prices here.
Is there a Canary Islands resident discount?
Yes. Residents of the Canary Islands are entitled to a 75% discount on the base fare on inter-island routes. You must prove residency with a Spanish ID card (DNI) or a certificate of registration (empadronamiento).
What accommodation does the Bentago Express offer?
Two types of accommodation: Tourist class (standard, with comfortable seats and access to every part of the ship) and Club class (premium, with roomier seats in a separate area and priority boarding).
Are pets allowed on board?
Yes, Fred Olsen Express allows pets on board subject to certain conditions. You need to book a pet place when you buy your ticket and meet the health rules in force. Check the conditions when you book, as they can vary with the type of animal.
Is the Bentago Express accessible for passengers with reduced mobility?
Yes. She has adapted access for passengers with reduced mobility. We recommend telling Fred Olsen Express that you need special assistance when you book, so that you are properly looked after when boarding and disembarking.
What is the difference between sailing from Las Palmas and from Agaete?
The route from Agaete is the shortest (~1 hour to Tenerife), but the port is about 45 minutes by car from Las Palmas. The route from Las Palmas takes ~1 h 20 min but leaves from the centre of the island, which is more convenient if you are starting out in the Gran Canaria capital or the east of the island.
How early should I get to the port?
By car: at least 60 minutes beforehand. Foot passengers: 30 minutes is enough. In high season (summer, public holidays and long weekends) we recommend allowing more time.
Does the Bentago Express have a café on board?
Yes. She has an onboard café serving hot and cold food and drink, baguettes and snacks, plus a shop with convenience items. Both are open throughout the crossing.
If I arrive in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, how do I get to the south of the island?
The Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is in the north of the island. If you are heading south (Los Cristianos, Las Américas, Costa Adeje), you will need a further journey of around 75–90 minutes by car. Alternatively, Fred Olsen runs routes from Los Cristianos in the south of Tenerife to the western islands (El Hierro, La Gomera and La Palma).
