3h Viking Cruise with Drinks, Whales watching & Swimming Time

The most unusual part of this Tenerife boat trip is the full Viking treatment. You board at Los Cristianos, meet a costumed crew, watch playful battles and storytelling, and then head out to look for pilot whales and dolphins. It is part wildlife cruise, part floating family show, with a swim stop in the open sea.

I like the warm, funny crew, who take care with children and help passengers who feel uneasy or seasick. I also like the value: at $45.95, three hours on the water includes unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks, plus entertainment and the chance to swim.

The main thing to consider is the sea. Several departures have been described as very rocky, and even a good-natured Viking can feel queasy. Bring motion-sickness tablets, choose a shaded seat if you can, and remember that whales and dolphins are wild animals, not guaranteed performers.

Key points to know before boarding

• Pilot whales are the main wildlife sighting: You may also see dolphins, turtles, or flying fish, but nature sets the schedule.
• The boat mixes wildlife watching with a show: Expect music, Viking costumes, face painting, games, staged fights, dancing, and jokes.
• Swimming time is part of the three-hour outing: Life vests and snorkeling glasses are available, though the sea can be cold.
• Beer, wine, and soft drinks are included: Premium drinks, ice cream, and food cost extra.
• The crew works well with families: Children, teenagers, and adults all have activities to enjoy.
• Rough water is the key drawback: Bags are available onboard, but taking precautions before sailing is sensible.

From Los Cristianos harbor to the Viking ship

Your afternoon begins at the excursion area in Los Cristianos harbor, near Playa de Las Americas. The meeting point is listed as Best Boat Tenerife Viking Ragnarok Whales & Dolphins, at Muelle, Los Cristianos. The scheduled start time is 1:00 pm, and the boat returns to the same place after about three hours.

Before departure, you can meet the Viking crew and take photos. This optional photo opportunity is worth doing early, since the front of the ship becomes harder to reach once the boat is moving and the water gets rough. One passenger also noted that a boarding photograph can be purchased for 10 euros if you want a souvenir.

The first few minutes set the tone. Viking music, costumes, painted faces, and theatrical characters make this much more than a quiet sightseeing boat. The crew stays in character while also handling ordinary practical jobs such as serving drinks, helping children, and checking on people who feel unwell.

The vessel can hold up to 100 people, so this is not a small private sailing. That size helps create a lively group atmosphere, but it also means you should not expect silence or personal service at every moment. If you prefer a calm, low-key cruise, the music and performances may feel like too much.

Thirty to forty minutes searching for whales and dolphins

Once the boat leaves the harbor, the crew turns your attention to the sea. The first wildlife-watching period lasts about 30 to 40 minutes, though sightings can continue during the wider cruise. The crew explains what you are seeing and provides information in English and Spanish.

Pilot whales are a regular highlight of this route, and several trips have included multiple pods. You might see them relatively close to the boat, sometimes with young animals, but the crew keeps a respectful distance and may turn off the engine to reduce disturbance. That is good practice, and it gives you a better chance to watch natural behavior rather than a forced display.

Dolphins are also possible, along with turtles and flying fish. One outing included all three types of sighting, while another saw whales but no dolphins. Another departure saw no dolphins at all, yet still provided a worthwhile afternoon because the crew, scenery, and swimming stop carried the experience.

That uncertainty matters. You should book this as a sea outing with wildlife potential, not as a guaranteed whale show. The waters around Tenerife can be productive, but no responsible operator can promise what animals will appear on a particular day.

The views are another reward. From the water, you get a broad look back toward Tenerife’s southern coast. On a clear day, Mount Teide may be visible above the island, giving the cruise a memorable backdrop while you wait for movement on the horizon.

The Viking show keeps the cruise moving

Wildlife watching can involve stretches of waiting, and the crew fills those gaps with entertainment. Expect Viking-themed music, short performances, storytelling about Tenerife, staged fights, props for photographs, face painting, and games for adults and children.

The theatrical side is intentionally silly. You may see a mock battle, a beer-drinking contest, dancing, or a bit of impromptu boxing. The point is not historical accuracy. This is a cheerful holiday show designed to keep a mixed-age group involved.

Children tend to get plenty of attention. The crew is described as patient with young children, including a 20-month-old, and attentive to older children and teenagers. Face painting and photo props give younger passengers something to do beyond watching the water.

Adults are not left out. The included drinks, music, jokes, and social atmosphere make it easy to chat with people from other holiday groups. If you want a quiet afternoon with only the sound of the sea, this is not the right boat. If you like a little theater with your wildlife, the format works well.

One practical detail is the audio. Some people prefer the Viking-style music, while other music may be aimed more at children. You cannot expect a carefully controlled soundtrack throughout the trip, so families should be comfortable with a busy, energetic atmosphere.

Swimming in the open sea

After the initial wildlife search, the boat stops for a swim. The crew chooses a spot considered safe for the activity, and you can jump or climb into the water if you wish. Life vests and snorkeling glasses are available, which is useful for anyone who wants extra support.

The swim is not a formal beach stop. You remain offshore, surrounded by Tenerife’s coastline and open water. That gives the experience a real sense of freedom, but it also means the water can be cold and the sea may still move beneath you.

Several people describe the swim as one of the best parts of the trip. It breaks up the time spent sitting on the boat and can feel refreshing after a hot afternoon. One passenger who became uncomfortable in the heat felt better after getting into the cooler water.

You do not have to swim. The stop also gives you a chance to watch others, take photographs, or simply enjoy the view. If you plan to take part, wear a swimsuit beneath your clothes and bring a towel, since the tour information does not list either one as supplied.

Drinks, food, and what your fare really covers

At $45.95 per person, the included drinks make this a strong-value choice for the right kind of outing. Beer, wine, and soft drinks are available throughout the cruise, so you are not paying separately for every basic refreshment.

The drinks are also central to the atmosphere. This is a sociable boat, and the Viking theme includes horn drinking and beer-related games. If you do not drink alcohol, soft drinks are included, but you should know that alcohol remains part of the mood and entertainment.

Food is not included in the advertised price. Paid food is available onboard, and one menu item specifically enjoyed on a departure was a veggie burger with fries. Portions may be large for children, so sharing one meal can make sense. The tour also excludes premium drinks and ice cream.

Do not book this expecting a full lunch included with admission. Think of the food as an optional purchase from the onboard service, useful if you get hungry but separate from the core ticket.

Comfort, shade, and the rough-water question

The onboard restroom is a useful feature on a three-hour trip. It is small and has been described as somewhat worn, so treat it as a basic facility rather than a spacious marine bathroom. A moving boat can make any small restroom awkward, especially in heavy swell.

A large part of the boat has shade, and you should try to sit beneath the canopy during hot months. The breeze can feel pleasant, but Tenerife’s sun remains strong, and waiting for whales in direct sun can become tiring.

The biggest comfort issue is motion. Some trips have had calm or manageable waves, while others have been very rough. Passengers have reported upset stomachs even when the wildlife sightings were excellent. Motion-sickness bags are available, but taking travel-sickness tablets before boarding is the wiser plan if you are sensitive.

The crew does try to help. Cool water sprays and bags may be offered to people who feel ill, and staff check on children and adults. Still, crew assistance cannot change the motion of the sea. Sit where you can see the horizon, avoid a heavy meal before departure, and do not assume included drinks will prevent seasickness.

Weather also affects the schedule. The experience requires good conditions, and a cancellation caused by poor weather should result in a choice of another date or a full refund.

Families, couples, and passengers with access needs

This is especially well suited to families with children and teenagers. The mix of whales, swimming, costumes, music, face painting, and comedy gives each age group something to anticipate. A nine-year-old even described the trip as the favorite part of a wider Spain holiday, which says a lot about how well the show reaches children.

Couples can enjoy it too, especially if you prefer a playful afternoon rather than a quiet romantic sail. The combination of drinks, sea views, and wildlife gives you plenty to talk about, though the group setting is not intimate.

Most people can participate, and the boat is near public transportation. The operator states that there are two wheelchair spaces at the front side of the ship, and one account describes good access and a disabled toilet. However, another passenger reported being unable to get the assistance needed and could not take the trip. If you need support, contact the operator well ahead of time and explain your exact requirements, including any allergy.

The crew has also shown care toward passengers with sensory needs. A family with an autistic child was allowed to board first and choose a seat away from the speakers. That kind of request is worth raising before departure, since the boat can be loud and busy.

How the experience handles wildlife

The best wildlife moments come when the show pauses. During one sighting, the crew encouraged everyone to be quiet and shut down the engine so the whales could be watched with less disturbance. That approach gives the animals room and makes the encounter feel more respectful.

You may see pilot whales in more than one pod, and dolphins can sometimes come close to the boat. Turtles, flying fish, and even a possible glimpse of a larger whale are less certain. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole trip looking through a screen.

The crew provides facts about the marine life and the island in both English and Spanish. Information is mixed with humor, so you get a light introduction rather than a formal marine biology lesson. That balance works for a family day out, though serious wildlife enthusiasts may prefer a quieter specialist boat.

Booking, meeting point, and cancellation details

The ticket is mobile, and confirmation is provided at booking. The experience is offered in English, while the crew has also given information in Spanish. It is commonly booked ahead, with the typical booking point around 19 days before departure, so reserving before your holiday is sensible if your dates are fixed.

You need to make your own way to the Los Cristianos harbor meeting point. Private pickup is not included. The activity ends where it begins, which makes planning an afternoon around it straightforward.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 1:00 pm start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The operator can also cancel if the weather is poor or the minimum number is not reached, offering another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Ragnarok cruise?

Book it if you want a lively three-hour family outing with a real chance of seeing pilot whales, plus swimming, drinks, and plenty of comedy. The crew is the heart of the experience, and the combination offers more variety than a standard sightseeing sail.

It is a particularly good value for adults who will make use of the included beer or wine, and for families whose children enjoy costumes, games, music, and face painting. The wildlife is a welcome natural bonus, not the only reason to go.

Think twice if you get seasick, dislike loud entertainment, need a quiet wildlife encounter, or are uncomfortable around alcohol. For everyone else, the Ragnarok offers an unusually full afternoon at a fair price, with the sea, Tenerife’s coastline, and a crew determined to keep the mood high.

FAQ

Where does the Viking cruise start?

The cruise starts at the Best Boat Tenerife Viking Ragnarok Whales & Dolphins meeting point in the excursion area at Muelle, Los Cristianos, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

What time does the cruise begin?

The scheduled start time is 1:00 pm.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately three hours.

Does the boat return to the same place?

Yes. The activity ends back at the Los Cristianos meeting point.

Are whale and dolphin sightings guaranteed?

No. Whales and dolphins are wild animals, so sightings are not guaranteed. Possible sightings include pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and flying fish.

Are drinks included in the ticket?

Yes. Beer, wine, and soft drinks are included. Premium drinks are not included.

Is food included?

No. Lunch food is not included. Food may be available onboard for an additional charge, and ice cream is also excluded.

Can I swim during the cruise?

Yes. The itinerary includes a swimming stop in the sea. Life vests and snorkeling glasses are available.

What happens if the cruise is canceled because of bad weather?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation.