Ferry company
Baleària
Portrait of the Balearics' largest ferry company - routes to Mallorca, fleet, check-in, pets and fares
- Founded in 1998, headquartered in Dénia, with over 50 ships and more than 40 routes across five countries
- To Mallorca: from Barcelona, Valencia and Dénia, as well as from Ibiza, Formentera and Ciutadella
- Check-in: 90 minutes with a vehicle, 60 minutes on foot; pets in a pet-friendly seat, pet cabin or Casita
About Baleària
Table of Contents
About Baleària
Baleària is a Spanish ferry company headquartered in Dénia on the Costa Blanca. Founded in June 1998, shortly after the liberalisation of Spain's ferry market, the company says it is now one of Europe's leading ferry operators: over 50 ships, more than 40 routes across five countries, around 4,500 employees, 6.5 million passengers and 1.6 million vehicles a year. Its president and sole shareholder is Adolfo Utor; the group remains entirely Spanish-owned. With the takeover of Armas Trasmediterránea, Baleària has recently expanded its network to the Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla, alongside international routes to Morocco, Algeria, the United States and the Bahamas.
The company is regarded as a pioneer of gas propulsion in ferry travel: twelve ships run on dual-fuel engines, biogas is used on some routes, two electrically powered ships have been in service since 2023, and the company aims to be emission-free by 2050. Its "Smart Ships" offer digital onboard entertainment, webcams so you can check on your pet, and digital access to the ship and cabin.
Fleet
Two types of ship sail to Mallorca. The fast ferries - led by the gas-powered Eleanor Roosevelt and Margarita Salas, plus Ramon Llull, Cecilia Payne and the Jaume class - link the islands in one to two hours and offer seating categories, a café, a terrace and Wi-Fi, but no cabins. The conventional ferries such as Abel Matutes, Martín i Soler, Hypatia de Alejandría, Rosalind Franklin and Kerry have cabins and cover the longer mainland routes as well as the overnight sailings between the islands; several of these also run on gas.
Routes to Mallorca
From the mainland, Baleària sails Barcelona-Palma, Barcelona-Alcúdia, Valencia-Palma and Dénia-Palma. Between the islands, the company runs Ibiza-Palma daily with the fast ferry, Formentera-Palma as a through connection via Ibiza, and Ciutadella-Alcúdia with several sailings a day. Duration, ship and departure time vary by sailing in the timetable.
Check-in, vehicles and pets
On the Mallorca routes you need to be at the port at least 90 minutes before departure with a vehicle and at least 60 minutes on foot; after that, Baleària no longer guarantees boarding. Cars, vans, caravans, motorbikes and bicycles can be booked, provided make, model, length and height match the booking; the vehicle deck stays closed during the crossing. Pets travel with a booked space: up to eight kilos in a carrier on the pet-friendly seat, or in pet cabins or the Casitas de la Calma for larger animals, depending on the ship. You'll need a pet boarding card and valid health documents. More in the guides Driving to Mallorca by ferry, Motorhomes on the ferry and Taking your dog on the ferry.
Tickets and fares
Tickets are available online, in the app and at the port counters; with the digital boarding card you can board without visiting a counter. The fare you choose determines how flexibly you can change or cancel - the company promotes a fare tier with free cancellation, with conditions shown at the booking step. There's no baggage limit on board. The price overview compares all Mallorca routes; the exact fare is shown in the booking window for each route.
FAQ Baleària
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about Baleària and the ferries to Mallorca.
Which routes does Baleària sail to Mallorca?+
From the mainland Barcelona-Palma, Barcelona-Alcúdia, Valencia-Palma and Dénia-Palma; between the islands Ibiza-Palma, Formentera-Palma via Ibiza and Ciutadella-Alcúdia.
Which ships does Baleària use to Mallorca?+
Fast ferries such as the gas-powered Eleanor Roosevelt and Margarita Salas, Ramon Llull or Jaume III, plus conventional ferries with cabins such as Abel Matutes, Martín i Soler, Hypatia de Alejandría and Kerry. Which ship operates your departure is shown in the timetable.
When do I need to be at the port with Baleària?+
On the Mallorca routes, at least 90 minutes before departure with a vehicle, at least 60 minutes on foot. After that, the ferry company no longer guarantees boarding.
Can I bring my car or motorhome?+
Yes, cars, vans, caravans, motorbikes and bicycles can be booked; make, model, length and height must match the booking. Details under Driving to Mallorca by ferry and Motorhomes on the ferry.
Does Baleària carry pets?+
Yes, with a booked space - a pet-friendly seat for pets up to eight kilos in a carrier, pet cabins or the video-monitored Casitas de la Calma depending on the ship. You'll need a pet boarding card and valid health documents; more under Taking your dog on the ferry.
Where can I find the timetable and prices?+
Departures are listed in the timetable; the price overview compares routes. The exact fare depends on ship, seat category, vehicle and fare type, and is only confirmed within the booking window.