It all started...
Following the replacement of the Ferry Benchijigua, Ferry Gomera contemplated the possibility of increasing its offer in the Canaries with the introduction of a new ferry link between the ports of Playa Blanca (Lanzarote) and Corralejo (Fuerteventura). The Ferry Benchijigua was given a new base in the island of Fuerteventura and was renamed Betancuria.
This service was offered for six months between August 1981 and February 1982, but was later suspended due to serious technical problems affecting the ships manoeuvrability. However, these setbacks did not mean a permanent cancellation of the route and in September 1988, after an extensive market research programme, Ferry Gomera put a new vessel into service. The Sunflower, an international ship bearing the Panamanian flag and previously in service in the Baltic Sea, was promptly given a new name: Betancuria.
It was worth the wait
On 24 July 1989, after eight long months awaiting permits from the local authorities, the new service once again came into action. In 1990, just one year after this event, the Ferry Betancuria had become a clear market leader and received the regular support of both regular passengers and local travel agents. The high level of service traditionally offered by the company was combined with a wide publicity campaign and, along with the affordable prices offered by the company, turned out to be decisive factors in reaching the goals set for the first year.
Originally this route, based in the small harbour of Corralejo in the north of Fuerteventura, offered four daily return journeys each one lasting 30 minutes.
Always ¡changing to improve!
In 1992 the increase in sea-faring traffic between these islands prompted the acquisition of another vessel, the Buganvilla, with a capacity to carry 1.000 foot passengers and 104 cars, with which the Betancuria was sent to dry docks.
At the end of 2003, the modern Fast Ferry, Bocayna Express, replaced the Buganvilla. This impressive catamaran was purpose-built in Australia taking into account the specific needs of maritime crossings between the islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. The journey takes just 25 minutes but in no way sacrifices those factors demanded by our customers: comfort, large capacity and, above all, high quality service.
In 2022, and given the increase in both local and visiting travelers between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, Fred. Olsen opted for the purchase of a new catamaran to offer a better service and more frequencies between these two islands. This is how the Buganvilla Express (currently renamed Buganvilla) arrived in the Canary Islands, a small miniferry with a design oriented towards comfort and perfect for enjoying the extraordinary views of the Bocaina canal.