fast ferry Pepita Castellvi Balearia
fast ferry Pepita Castellvi
âš“ The Pepita Castellví is a high-speed trimaran operated by Baleària Canarias on the inter-island links between Tenerife, La Gomera and La Palma. With room for 800 passengers and a service speed of 39 knots, she is one of the fastest ferries in the Canary Islands. Her name pays tribute to the Spanish oceanographer Josefina Castellví, a pioneer of Spanish research in Antarctica.
The Pepita Castellví runs the triangular Los Cristianos–La Gomera–La Palma route, covering some of the most essential links for residents and visitors on the western islands of the Canary archipelago. Her high speed cuts crossing times considerably compared with conventional ferries, making her the quickest way to move between these islands.
A tribute to Pitiusan history
The ship is named after Josefina Castellví (known as Pepita Castellví), a Spanish oceanographer and the first director of the Juan Carlos I Antarctic Base. She was one of the driving forces behind Spain's scientific presence in Antarctica and a pioneering figure in Spanish oceanography. Baleària keeps up its tradition of naming its ships after leading figures from science, culture and history.
History and background of the ship
The Pepita Castellví is a high-speed trimaran built by Austal in Henderson (Western Australia) as a speculative order under the name Austal 270. Launched in January 2010, she lay alongside at the yard for four years waiting for a buyer. In 2014 she was bought by Condor Ferries, which renamed her Condor Liberation — in memory of the liberation of the Channel Islands from German occupation — after modifying her at Austal's yard in the Philippines. She entered service on 27 March 2015 on the routes from Poole to the Channel Islands (Jersey and Guernsey), and also covered summer sailings for Brittany Ferries between 2022 and 2023.
On 25 March 2025 she made her last commercial sailing for Condor, shortly before the company was taken over by Brittany Ferries. Sold in late 2025 to Overview Shipping as Overview, she was bought in 2026 by Baleària, which brought her from Le Havre to Algeciras for repairs and renamed her Pepita Castellví. She entered service in late June 2026 on the triangular Los Cristianos–La Gomera–La Palma route with the Baleària Canarias division.
Full technical specifications
| Ship type | High-speed trimaran (HSC) |
| Shipyard | Austal, Henderson (Western Australia) |
| IMO number | 9551363 |
| Length overall | 102 m |
| Beam | 27.95 m |
| Service speed | 39 knots (72 km/h) |
| Propulsion | 3 × MTU 20V8000M71L engines · waterjet propulsion |
| Passenger capacity | 800 people |
| Ferry operator | Baleària Canarias |
| Flag | Cyprus |
| Entered service (Baleària) | June 2026 |
| Current route | Los Cristianos – La Gomera – La Palma |
Routes operated and indicative timetables
| Route | Approx. duration | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Los Cristianos → La Gomera | ~40 min | Several sailings a day |
| La Gomera → Los Cristianos | ~40 min | Several sailings a day |
| Los Cristianos → La Palma | ~2 h 30 min | Check timetables |
| La Palma → Los Cristianos | ~2 h 30 min | Check timetables |
| La Gomera → La Palma | ~2 h | Check timetables |
| La Palma → La Gomera | ~2 h | Check timetables |
* Indicative timetables, subject to seasonal changes. Confirm the exact timetable in our search engine.
The ports: Los Cristianos, La Gomera and La Palma
The Pepita Castellví sails from the Port of Los Cristianos (Tenerife), the main link between the south of the island and the western islands of the archipelago. From here it takes just 40 minutes to reach the Port of San Sebastián de La Gomera, and around 2 hours 30 minutes to the Port of Santa Cruz de La Palma. These links matter enormously to the people of La Gomera and La Palma, two islands designated Biosphere Reserves and with limited air access.
We recommend arriving at the harbour at least 45 minutes beforehand if you are travelling as a foot passenger. During busy periods or Canary Islands public holidays, allow a little longer.
Fares, discounts and how to book
Residents of the Canary Islands are entitled to the Canary Islands resident discount off the base fare, which can reach 75% on inter-island routes. This is by far the most significant discount for regular travellers on the route.
Available discounts:
- Canary Islands resident: up to 75% off the base fare on inter-island routes. You must prove residency with a Spanish ID card (DNI) or a certificate of registration (empadronamiento).
- Carnet Joven (youth card): reduced fare for passengers aged 14 to 30.
- Baleària Club: the operator's points scheme. Collect points on every trip and redeem them against discounts.
- Large family: discount applied in line with current regulations.
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, on a short hop (Los Cristianos–La Gomera) | Standard seat |
| With family or in a group, on the run to La Palma | Seat with table |
| Looking for extra comfort and privacy | VIP lounge (where available) |
| With a pet | Standard seat + pet place |
fast ferry Pepita Castellvi · Accommodations
Standard seat
The cheapest option. Comfortable seats in a shared lounge, with access to all areas of the ship. Perfect for the Los Cristianos–La Gomera hop or other short island crossings.
✓ Reclining seat
✓ Free SmartB WiFi
✓ Sockets for chargers
✓ Access to every area of the ship
Seat with table
Ideal for families or groups on the run to La Palma. A built-in table for eating, working or playing games during the two-and-a-half-hour crossing.
✓ Shared table for groups
✓ Reclining seat
✓ Free SmartB WiFi
✓ Sockets for chargers
VIP lounge · Premium
A restricted-access lounge with more comfortable seating and a quieter atmosphere. The best choice for trips to La Palma if you want privacy and personal service.
✓ Exclusive-access lounge
✓ More comfortable seating
✓ Personal service in the lounge
✓ Free SmartB WiFi
fast ferry Pepita Castellvi · On-board services
Café and food service
The Pepita Castellví has a café on board serving hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, snacks and ready meals. It is open throughout the crossing, which is especially welcome on the run to La Palma.
Open-air deck
The Pepita Castellví has an outside deck where you can take in the Canary Atlantic during the crossing and the views of Mount Teide from the water, which are at their most spectacular as she leaves Los Cristianos.
Travelling with a dog on board
Accessibility — passengers with reduced mobility
The Pepita Castellví has accessible entrances for passengers with reduced mobility. If you need special assistance, we recommend telling Baleària when you book so that the crew can arrange it in advance.
Connectivity and digital entertainment — SmartB
On board the Pepita Castellví you have the run of Baleària's SmartB platform:
- Free WiFi throughout the crossing
- Completely free WhatsApp, without using your data allowance
- Series and films on demand on your smartphone or tablet
- Free Spanish and international newspapers via PressReader
- Digital boarding pass with online seat allocation
- Real-time journey information on your phone
Frequently asked questions about the Pepita Castellví
Which routes does the Pepita Castellví operate?
She runs the triangular Los Cristianos – La Gomera – La Palma route with the Baleària Canarias division.
How long does the Pepita Castellví take from Los Cristianos to La Gomera?
The Los Cristianos–La Gomera crossing takes roughly 40 minutes.
How long does the Pepita Castellví take from Los Cristianos to La Palma?
The Los Cristianos–La Palma crossing takes roughly 2 hours 30 minutes.
Is there a Canary Islands resident discount?
Yes. Residents of the Canary Islands are entitled to the Canary Islands resident discount, which can reach 75% off 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 Pepita Castellví offer?
Standard seats (the cheapest option), seats with a table for groups and a VIP lounge with extra comfort and personal service.
Is there free WiFi on the Pepita Castellví?
Yes. Baleària's SmartB platform offers free WiFi, WhatsApp without using your data, series and films on demand and free newspapers through PressReader.
Are pets allowed on the Pepita Castellví?
Yes. There is a dedicated pet area on board. You need to book a pet place when you buy your ticket.
Is she accessible for passengers with reduced mobility?
Yes. She has accessible entrances for passengers with reduced mobility. We recommend telling Baleària when you book so that the assistance you need can be arranged.
Why is she called Pepita Castellví?
The ship is named after Josefina Castellví (known as Pepita Castellví), a Spanish oceanographer and the first director of the Juan Carlos I Antarctic Base, a pioneer of Spanish scientific research in Antarctica.
How early should I get to the harbour?
We recommend arriving at least 45 minutes beforehand as a foot passenger. During busy periods or Canary Islands public holidays, allow a little extra.
