Volcán de Tindaya Naviera Armas
Volcán de Tindaya
âš“ The Volcán de Tindaya is one of the best-known ferries in the Naviera Armas fleet, built around the inter-island links of the Canary Islands. She works mainly across the La Bocaina strait on the Playa Blanca (Lanzarote) – Corralejo (Fuerteventura) route, one of the busiest sea passages in the archipelago, with crossings of just 35-40 minutes. Her generous capacity for vehicles and passengers makes her a linchpin of Canarian mobility, for residents and for visitors keen to explore the islands with their own car alike.
The ship takes her name from the Volcán de Tindaya, a reference to the sacred mountain of Tindaya in the municipality of La Oliva, in the north of Fuerteventura. Montaña de Tindaya is a site of great ethnographic and archaeological value to the original Canarian people, the mahos, who regarded it as a place of worship. More than 300 podomorfos — rock carvings in the shape of the sole of a foot — have been found on its summit, and the site is listed as an Asset of Cultural Interest. The name thus ties the ship to the deepest layer of the archipelago's identity.
History and background of the ship
The Volcán de Tindaya (IMO 9561454) was built between 2009 and 2011 at the Spanish yard Hijos de J. Barreras in Vigo under the "Baleària+" programme, ordered by Baleària Eurolíneas Marítimas. She was launched on 27 April 2009 and delivered on 22 December that year as the SF Alhucemas, working initially on Balearic Islands routes and in the Strait of Gibraltar. In 2012 she transferred to the Spanish flag. Between February and September 2015 she was renamed Bahama Mama to work the Port Everglades (Florida)–Freeport (Bahamas) route for Baleària Caribbean. She later returned to the operator's Mediterranean services.
In 2023 she was bought by Naviera Armas and renamed Volcán de Tindaya — after the emblematic sacred mountain of Fuerteventura. She now works the strategically important inter-island route across the La Bocaina Channel, linking Playa Blanca (Lanzarote) with Corralejo (Fuerteventura) daily in just 25 minutes. She is the highest-capacity vehicle ferry on this crossing, and matters as much to tourism as she does to the supply chain between the two eastern islands of the archipelago.
Full technical specifications
| Ship type | Ro-pax ferry |
| Length overall | 116.8 m |
| Beam | 18.6 m |
| Draught | 4.4 m |
| Service speed | 18 knots |
| Maximum speed | 20 knots |
| Passenger capacity | 1,138 people |
| Vehicle capacity | up to 330 car equivalents |
| Gross tonnage (GT) | 13,343 GT |
| Propulsion | Diesel engines |
| Vehicle decks | 2 (bow and stern ramps) |
| IMO number | 9227851 |
| Call sign | EBIZ |
| Flag | Spain |
| Year built | 2002 |
| Shipyard | Hijos de J. Barreras (Vigo, Spain) |
| Classification | Bureau Veritas |
| Operator | Naviera Armas Trasmediterránea |
Routes operated and indicative timetables
| Route | Duration | Usual frequency* |
|---|---|---|
| Playa Blanca (Lanzarote) → Corralejo (Fuerteventura) | ~35 min | Several departures daily |
| Corralejo (Fuerteventura) → Playa Blanca (Lanzarote) | ~35 min | Several departures daily |
| Huelva → Arrecife (Lanzarote) | ~40 h | Depending on the season |
| Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) → Arrecife (Lanzarote) | ~6 h | Depending on the schedule |
* Indicative timetables, subject to season and availability. Confirm the exact departure time in our search engine.
The ports of Playa Blanca and Corralejo: how to get there and what to bear in mind
The Volcán de Tindaya runs between the Port of Playa Blanca, in the south of Lanzarote, and the Port of Corralejo, in the north of Fuerteventura. Both are small ports, which keeps boarding and disembarkation very quick. The La Bocaina channel separating the two islands is barely 11 km wide, making this one of the shortest crossings in the archipelago.
Coming from the south of Lanzarote, Playa Blanca is about 40 km from Arrecife (the island's capital), roughly 35-40 minutes by car. From Corralejo, Puerto del Rosario (the capital of Fuerteventura) is some 35 km away (30 minutes by car). Arrive at the port at least 60 minutes beforehand if you are bringing a vehicle, and 30 minutes as a foot passenger.
Fares, discounts and how to book
Fares on the Volcán de Tindaya on the Playa Blanca–Corralejo route are among the most affordable in the archipelago, given how short the crossing is. A foot passenger ticket can be around €10–20 each way in mid season, while bringing a car adds a further charge.
Available discounts:
- Canary Islands resident: 75% off the base fare for residents of the Canary Islands. You must prove residency with a valid Spanish ID card (DNI) or certificate of registration (empadronamiento). It is the most significant discount and applies to most inter-island crossings.
- Children under 4: travel free on many crossings. Check the conditions when booking.
- Armas Club: Naviera Armas's loyalty scheme. Collect points on every trip and redeem them against future bookings.
- Groups: special rates for groups above a certain number of passengers. Contact the operator.
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, short crossing | Standard seat |
| As a family with children | Standard seat near the quiet area |
| With your own vehicle | Passenger ticket + vehicle space |
| With a pet | Standard seat + pet place |
| As a passenger with reduced mobility | Adapted accessible seat (ask when boarding) |
Volcán de Tindaya · Accommodations
Standard seat
The main option on board the Volcán de Tindaya. Comfortable seats in an air-conditioned indoor area, perfect for the short crossing between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. Access to all the ship's public areas.
✓ Air-conditioned indoor area
✓ Access to the café on board
✓ Access to the open deck
✓ Ideal for short crossings of ~35 minutes
Open deck
An open-air area from which to take in the views over the archipelago and the La Bocaina Channel. In fine weather it is where most passengers choose to spend such a short and scenic crossing.
✓ Panoramic views over the La Bocaina Channel
✓ Open to all, included with any ticket
✓ Perfect in the fine Canarian weather
Café area · Passengers
An indoor space with a café and seating alongside the bar. The crossing is brief, but there is a basic range of drinks and snacks to see you comfortably across.
✓ Café serving drinks and snacks
✓ Air-conditioned indoor seating area
✓ Open throughout the crossing
Volcán de Tindaya · On-board services
Café on board
Short though the Volcán de Tindaya's crossing is — one of the shortest in the Canaries — the ship has a café on board open for the whole passage, serving hot and cold drinks, snacks and basic travel items. Ideal for a drink while you take in the views over the La Bocaina Channel.
Open deck
The open deck on the Volcán de Tindaya is one of the spaces passengers like best, particularly on the sunny days that are the norm in the Canarian archipelago. From it you get outstanding views over the La Bocaina Channel, with Lanzarote and Fuerteventura on either side, and on clear days you can make out the outline of Timanfaya National Park in the distance.
Travelling with a dog on board
Naviera Armas allows pets to travel on the Volcán de Tindaya, subject to its general conditions of carriage. You must book a pet place when you buy your ticket and meet the health documentation requirements for the animal (veterinary record, vaccinations up to date). Larger animals may be subject to specific conditions of carriage.
Accessibility — passengers with reduced mobility
The Volcán de Tindaya has adapted access for passengers with reduced mobility. Tell Naviera Armas when you book so that the assistance you need can be arranged for boarding and disembarkation. The crew is on hand to help any passenger who needs it throughout the crossing.
The La Bocaina Channel: a crossing through volcanic scenery
The route the Volcán de Tindaya covers runs across the La Bocaina Channel, a strait barely 11 km wide separating Lanzarote from Fuerteventura. It is the shortest distance between any two islands in the Canarian archipelago. During the crossing, passengers can take in the distinctive volcanic coastlines of both islands: the lava badlands of Lanzarote on one side and the long golden beaches of Corralejo on the other, including the Corralejo Dunes Nature Park. On clear days the sight is extraordinary.
Frequently asked questions about the Volcán de Tindaya
Which routes does the Volcán de Tindaya ferry operate?
She works mainly the Playa Blanca (Lanzarote) – Corralejo (Fuerteventura) route, with several departures a day in each direction. Depending on Naviera Armas's schedule, she may work other Canary Islands inter-island routes.
How long does it take from Playa Blanca to Corralejo?
The crossing takes roughly 35-40 minutes across the La Bocaina Channel. It is one of the shortest inter-island crossings in the whole Canarian archipelago.
Does the Volcán de Tindaya carry cars?
Yes. She has room for up to 330 car equivalents. She is the most widely used option for crossing from Lanzarote to Fuerteventura (or the other way round) with your own car. Arrive at the port at least 60 minutes beforehand if you are bringing a vehicle.
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 valid Spanish ID card (DNI) or certificate of registration (empadronamiento). It is the most significant discount on the route.
Are pets allowed on board?
Yes. Naviera Armas accepts pets on its ferries under its conditions of carriage. You must book a pet place when you buy your ticket and keep the animal's health documentation up to date. Check the specific conditions for large animals.
Is she accessible to passengers with reduced mobility?
Yes. She has adapted access for passengers with reduced mobility. Tell the operator when you book so that the assistance you need can be arranged for boarding and disembarkation.
How much does a ticket cost?
A foot passenger ticket is around €10–20 each way in mid season. Canary Islands residents pay 75% less. The charge for bringing a car is added to the passenger ticket. Compare real-time prices here.
How early should I get to the port?
With a vehicle: at least 60 minutes before departure. Foot passengers: 30 minutes is enough. In high season (July-August) allow extra time, as ferries on this route can be very full.
When was the Volcán de Tindaya built?
She was built in 2002 at the Hijos de J. Barreras yard in Vigo (Spain). She sails under the Spanish flag with IMO number 9227851 and is 116.8 metres long.
What does the name Volcán de Tindaya mean?
The name refers to Montaña de Tindaya, a place sacred to the original Canarian people in the north of Fuerteventura. It is a site of great archaeological and ethnographic value, with more than 300 rock carvings in the shape of the sole of a foot (podomorfos), listed as an Asset of Cultural Interest.
Is there a café on board?
Yes. The Volcán de Tindaya has a café on board serving hot and cold drinks and snacks, open throughout the crossing. The trip lasts only ~35 minutes, but the service runs from the moment you board.
How many passengers and vehicles can the Volcán de Tindaya carry?
The Volcán de Tindaya has room for 1,138 passengers and up to 330 car equivalents. Her gross tonnage is 13,343 GT, which makes her one of the highest-capacity ferries on the Lanzarote–Fuerteventura route.
