fast ferry Buenavista Express Fred Olsen
fast ferry Buenavista Express
âš“ The Buenavista Express is a Fred Olsen Express fast ferry working between the islands of the Canary archipelago, linking chiefly Tenerife (Los Cristianos) with La Palma (Santa Cruz de La Palma) and with La Gomera (San Sebastián de La Gomera). She is one of the high-speed ships Fred Olsen uses to cover the inter-island routes of the southern Canary Atlantic, guaranteeing quick, comfortable crossings with room for vehicles between islands that would otherwise be reachable only by plane or on slower conventional ferries.
The Buenavista Express was built at the Austal shipyards in Henderson (Australia), one of the world's leading builders of high-speed aluminium catamarans for carrying passengers and vehicles. She is part of the fleet of fast ferries with which Fred Olsen Express has steadily modernised its inter-island services in the Canaries over recent decades, making speed, roll-on freight capacity and comfort on board its hallmarks.
The ship takes her name from Buenavista del Norte, a town at the far north-western tip of Tenerife, in the Daute district, a historic area bound up with the island's maritime and farming past. Fred Olsen's tradition of naming its ships after Canary place names reinforces the operator's bond with the archipelago, where it has been running services for more than a century.
History and background of the ship
The Buenavista Express (IMO 9216585) is the only large conventional Ro-Pax ferry in the Fred. Olsen Express fleet, a complete exception to the operator's line-up of high-speed catamarans and trimarans. She was built in the late 1990s at the historic Bazán shipyards (later Izar/Astilleros Españoles) in Puerto Real (Cádiz) and completed in June 2001. She left the Cádiz slipways alongside her sister ship the Sorolla (today the Ciudad de Granada) for Trasmediterránea, which named her the Fortuny. For almost two decades she was a Mediterranean institution, working the scheduled Barcelona and Valencia services to Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza, with the occasional special sailing on northern European routes.
After Trasmediterránea was absorbed by Naviera Armas, she was renamed the Ciudad Autónoma Melilla (2019–2024) and put on the Málaga–Melilla route. When that concession was lost she briefly took back the name Fortuny for services across the Strait and on the Cádiz–Canaries route. In July 2025 Fred. Olsen Express bought her, gave her a complete overhaul of interiors, engines and accommodation, and renamed her the Buenavista Express. She entered service in January 2026 and since June that year has single-handedly run the long-distance sea bridge between Huelva and the Canary Islands (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife), an overnight crossing of more than 30 hours for which she is fitted with more than 200 cabins, a restaurant, a panoramic bar, a pet-friendly area with a dog toilet and an outdoor terrace with a swimming pool.
Full technical specifications
| Ship type | Aluminium catamaran fast ferry |
| Shipyard | Austal, Henderson (Australia) |
| Length overall | 86 m |
| Beam | 26 m |
| Service speed | ~37 knots |
| Passenger capacity | ~900 people |
| Vehicle capacity | ~150 cars |
| Propulsion | 4 MAN diesel engines with waterjets |
| Construction material | High-strength aluminium |
| Passenger decks | 2 |
| IMO number | 9260705 |
| Call sign | EAZQ |
| Flag | Spain |
| Operating company | Fred Olsen Express |
Routes operated and indicative timetables
| Route | Duration | Usual departure* |
|---|---|---|
| Los Cristianos (Tenerife) → Santa Cruz de La Palma | ~1 h 55 min | Check |
| Santa Cruz de La Palma → Los Cristianos (Tenerife) | ~1 h 55 min | Check |
| Los Cristianos (Tenerife) → San Sebastián de La Gomera | ~50 min | Several sailings |
| San Sebastián de La Gomera → Los Cristianos (Tenerife) | ~50 min | Several sailings |
* Indicative timetables, subject to season, availability and fleet rotation. Confirm the exact departure time in our search engine.
The port of Los Cristianos: how to get there and what to bear in mind
The Port of Los Cristianos is the main boarding point for the Buenavista Express in Tenerife. It sits in the municipality of Arona, in the south of the island, some 75 km from Tenerife North airport (TFN) and just 15 km from Tenerife South airport (TFS), which makes it a strategic connecting point for travellers arriving by plane and carrying on by ferry to La Palma or La Gomera.
Getting there by car is straightforward on the TF-1 motorway. We recommend arriving at the port at least 60 minutes beforehand if you are travelling with a vehicle, and 30 minutes if you are a foot passenger. In high season (July, August and Easter) it is worth allowing extra time, as traffic in southern Tenerife can be heavy.
Fares, discounts and how to book
Fares on the Buenavista Express vary with the route, the season and the type of accommodation you choose. On the Los Cristianos–La Palma route, standard seat fares start at roughly €50–70 each way in mid season. On the shorter run to La Gomera, prices are appreciably lower.
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 valid certificate of registration (empadronamiento). It is the most significant discount and applies on most inter-island routes.
- Large family: discount applied according to category (general or special). Check availability when you book.
- Children: children aged 0 to 3 travel free (without a seat of their own). Reduced fares for under-12s depending on the route.
- Fred Olsen Club: the operator's loyalty scheme, which lets you build up benefits on every trip.
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 |
| With family or a group of friends | Standard seat in a table area |
| Looking for more privacy and comfort | VIP / Business lounge |
| With a pet | Standard seat + pet place |
| With reduced mobility | Request assistance at boarding |
fast ferry Buenavista Express · Accommodations
Standard seat
The cheapest option on board. Reclining seats on the main deck with access to all the ship's public areas, including the café and the outside deck. Perfect for short crossings and for anyone who puts price first.
✓ Reclining seat with headrest
✓ Access to the café and public areas
✓ Access to the outside deck
✓ Onboard WiFi available
Premium seat
Seats with more legroom and a prime position on board. Ideal for anyone wanting extra comfort on the near two-hour crossing to La Palma. Set in a separate area with a better view outside.
✓ More legroom
✓ Prime position on deck
✓ Top-of-the-range reclining seat
✓ Access to every part of the ship
VIP lounge · Business
An exclusive-access lounge with higher-quality seats, a quieter atmosphere and a distinct level of service. The best choice for frequent and business travellers, or for anyone who simply wants complete peace during the crossing.
✓ Access to an exclusive lounge
✓ More comfortable seats
✓ Quieter, more private surroundings
✓ Priority service on board
fast ferry Buenavista Express · On-board services
Onboard café
The Buenavista Express has an onboard café serving hot and cold drinks, snacks and food throughout the crossing. It is the natural place for passengers who want something to eat or drink while they enjoy the trip between the islands.
Outside deck
The Buenavista Express has an outside deck from which passengers can enjoy views of the Atlantic and the volcanic scenery of the islands during the crossing. It is one of the spaces travellers value most, especially on the La Palma route, where the ship runs along the Tenerife coast and the arrival at La Palma brings spectacular views of the cliffs and the caldera.
Travelling with a dog on board
Fred Olsen Express allows pets to travel on the Buenavista Express under specific conditions. You must book a pet place when you buy your ticket. Pets have to meet the applicable health requirements (vaccination record, microchip identification) and travel in the areas set aside for them.
Accessibility — passengers with reduced mobility
The Buenavista Express has adapted access and reserved places for passengers with reduced mobility. We recommend flagging any need for assistance when you book, so that the crew can give you the help you need during boarding, the crossing and disembarkation. Fred Olsen Express also provides an assistance service in port for passengers who need it.
Technical comfort on board: the catamaran in the Atlantic
The Buenavista Express is a high-speed aluminium catamaran designed specifically to work in open-sea conditions. Her twin-hull architecture gives her greater stability than conventional monohulls, cutting down sideways roll. Even so, the Canary Atlantic can throw up northerly winds and swell, especially in winter, which may affect comfort during the crossing.
- Twin aluminium hulls: inherently more stable than monohull ferries at similar speeds.
- Waterjet propulsion: waterjets give a quick response and good manoeuvrability in port, with no exposed conventional rudders.
- Service speed of ~37 knots: keeps to a minimum the time passengers spend exposed to whatever the sea is doing.
Frequently asked questions about the Buenavista Express
Which routes does the Buenavista Express operate?
She mainly works the Los Cristianos (Tenerife) – Santa Cruz de La Palma route and the Los Cristianos (Tenerife) – San Sebastián de La Gomera route for Fred Olsen Express. Route allocation may change with the season and the needs of the fleet.
How long does the Buenavista Express take from Tenerife to La Palma?
The crossing between Los Cristianos (Tenerife) and Santa Cruz de La Palma takes around 1 hour 55 minutes.
How long does the Buenavista Express take from Tenerife to La Gomera?
The crossing between Los Cristianos (Tenerife) and San Sebastián de La Gomera takes around 50 minutes.
Does the Buenavista Express carry cars?
Yes. She has a vehicle hold with room for around 150 cars. If you are travelling with a vehicle, get to the Port of Los Cristianos at least 60 minutes beforehand. In high season, allow extra time.
What accommodation does the Buenavista Express offer?
Three types of accommodation: standard seat (the cheapest option, with access to all public areas), Premium seat (more room and a prime position) and VIP/Business lounge (exclusive access with greater comfort and quiet).
Is there WiFi on the Buenavista Express?
The Buenavista Express has WiFi on board. Coverage may vary depending on where the ship is during the crossing.
Is there a Canary Islands resident discount?
Yes. Residents of the Canary Islands are entitled to a 75% discount on the base fare, on production of a Spanish ID card (DNI) or a valid certificate of registration (empadronamiento).
Are pets allowed on the Buenavista Express?
Yes. Fred Olsen Express accepts pets under specific conditions. You must book a pet place when you buy your ticket and meet the health requirements (vaccination, microchip). Check the conditions in force when you book.
Is she accessible for passengers with reduced mobility?
Yes. She has adapted access and reserved places for passengers with reduced mobility. We recommend flagging any need for assistance when you book so that boarding and disembarkation go smoothly.
How much does it cost to travel on the Buenavista Express?
Standard seat fares on the Los Cristianos–La Palma route start at roughly €50–70 each way in mid season (without a residency discount). Canary Islands residents pay 75% less. Compare real-time prices here.
How early should I get to the port?
With a vehicle: at least 60 minutes beforehand at the Port of Los Cristianos. Foot passengers: 30 minutes is enough. In July, August and at Easter it is worth allowing extra time.
Where is the port of Los Cristianos?
The Port of Los Cristianos is in the south of Tenerife, in the municipality of Arona. It is 15 km from Tenerife South airport (TFS) and 75 km from Tenerife North airport (TFN). It is well served by the TF-1 motorway.
What fuel does the Buenavista Express use?
The Buenavista Express is powered by four MAN diesel engines with waterjets. She runs on conventional marine fuel.
Why is she called the Buenavista Express?
The ship takes her name from Buenavista del Norte, a town at the far north-western tip of Tenerife. Fred Olsen Express keeps up the tradition of naming its ships after Canary place names, an archipelago the operator has been bound to for more than a century.
Is there a café on the Buenavista Express?
Yes. The Buenavista Express has an onboard café with hot and cold drinks, snacks and food available throughout the crossing, open to every passenger.
