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

The best part of this three-hour Viking cruise is the mix of wild marine life and cheerful theatre. You sail from Los Cristianos looking for pilot whales and dolphins, then stop for an open-ocean swim with Tenerife and, on clear days, Mount Teide behind you. The crew keeps the mood light with music, face painting, stories, games, and mock Viking fights.

I like the included beer, wine, and soft drinks, which make the $45.95 price feel fair, and I like the way the crew treats wildlife. The boat may switch off its engine near whales and keeps a respectful distance. The main drawback is the sea itself: several people found the ride very rough, and even strong swimmers may find the water cold.

Quick takeaways from the Ragnarok cruise

• Pilot whales can appear within the first 30 to 40 minutes, along with dolphins, turtles, or flying fish, though sightings are never guaranteed.
• Unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks are included, while food, ice cream, and premium drinks cost extra.
• The swimming stop is a real open-water swim, with life vests and snorkelling glasses available.
• The Viking crew provides the entertainment, including music, face painting, storytelling, staged fights, and games for adults and children.
• The boat carries up to 100 people, so this is a lively group outing rather than a quiet private charter.
• Take motion-sickness tablets before departure if you are prone to seasickness, and try to get a shaded seat in hot weather.

Setting sail from Los Cristianos at 1 p.m.

Your afternoon begins at the excursion area in the harbour of Los Cristianos, in Playa de las Americas. The boat is called Ragnarok, and the Viking theme starts before you leave the dock. You can meet the crew, take photos with the Viking props, and join the atmosphere before boarding. A boarding photo is also available to buy for €10 if you want a souvenir.

The meeting point is near public transport, but private pickup is not included. Plan your own way to the harbour and allow enough time to find the boat and check in. The supplied start time is 1 p.m., and the cruise returns to the same place after about three hours.

I like that the ship gives you something to do from the first minute. This is not simply a boat ride where you sit quietly and wait for the view. The crew stays in character, and the Viking music, costumes, face paint, and props give children a clear sense that the afternoon is an event.

That same energy will not suit every mood. If you want a small, peaceful wildlife trip with long quiet stretches, this is not the right boat. With space for up to 100 people, expect music, conversation, entertainment, and a sociable holiday atmosphere.

The first 30 to 40 minutes: watching whales and dolphins

Once Ragnarok heads out from the harbour, the main natural attraction begins. The crew searches the waters around Tenerife for whales and dolphins, while explaining what you are seeing and sharing information about local marine life. The commentary is given in English and Spanish.

Pilot whales are the most regularly reported sighting on this trip. You might also see dolphins, turtles, and flying fish. Some outings have produced several pods, and a few lucky groups have seen a newborn pilot whale. Other departures have seen no dolphins, which is a useful reminder that these are wild animals, not a scheduled show.

That uncertainty is part of the value. The crew cannot promise a particular species or a close approach, and you should not book this expecting a guaranteed photograph. On a successful outing, though, seeing pilot whales moving freely through the sea is far more meaningful than watching animals in a tank.

The crew’s approach to wildlife is one of the strongest parts of the trip. When whales appear, the engine may be turned off, and the boat keeps a respectable distance. The crew also encourages quiet so the animals are not needlessly disturbed. You get a better chance to watch natural behaviour, while the boat avoids treating the sighting as a chase.

Bring patience and keep looking across the water. Wildlife can appear on either side of the boat, and the action may be brief. The open deck gives you a chance to move around, though you should take care when the sea becomes rough.

Viking theatre while you are at sea

The wildlife watching is only one part of the outing. The crew uses music, humour, storytelling, face painting, props, and staged Viking fights to keep the three hours moving. There can also be Viking games and playful competitions, including beer-drinking contests.

This works especially well for families. Children can have their faces painted, pose at the front of the ship, and watch the crew act out scenes instead of spending the whole afternoon focused on spotting distant fins. Several age groups can enjoy the trip together, since adults have the drinks and social atmosphere while children have the costumes and show.

The entertainment is broad rather than polished theatre. Think of a lively holiday performance on a boat, not a formal historical presentation. The crew’s humour and willingness to help are central to the experience. Some people may find the regular music less appealing than the Viking-style soundtrack, particularly when the playlist turns toward children’s entertainment.

There is also a small food and drink service onboard. Food is not included, but it can be purchased, and the supplied information indicates that lunch, ice cream, and premium drinks are extra. Portions may be large for children, so sharing one meal can make sense. A vegetarian burger and fries have been specifically enjoyed by passengers, but the exact food choice and prices are not listed, so check onboard.

The swim stop and Tenerife views

After roughly 30 to 40 minutes of sailing and wildlife watching, the boat stops for a swim in the sea. You can jump or enter the water during the time allowed, and life vests and snorkelling glasses are available. The swimming spot is chosen for safer conditions, but it remains an open-water stop, not a supervised swimming pool.

This is a welcome change after sitting in the sun. The water can feel cold, and the sea may still move under the boat, so you should only swim if you feel comfortable. If you do not want to enter the water, you can remain onboard and enjoy the views, drinks, and entertainment.

On a clear day, Mount Teide may be visible in the distance. The view of Tenerife from the water gives you a different sense of the island, especially around the southern coast. Cloud, haze, and sea conditions affect what you see, so do not treat Teide as guaranteed scenery.

The swimming stop also gives anyone feeling overheated a chance to cool down. One account described the crew helping people who felt unwell with water sprays and bags, while others felt better after getting into the cooler sea. That said, the best solution for motion sickness is preparation, not rescue. If boats bother you, take travel-sickness tablets before departure and avoid assuming that included drinks will make the ride easier.

Drinks, food, shade, and comfort onboard

The $45.95 price includes unlimited soft drinks, beer, and wine. That is a meaningful saving if you would normally buy several drinks during a three-hour cruise. It also helps explain why this trip suits adults who want a relaxed afternoon rather than a strictly wildlife-focused excursion.

The drinks are not for everyone. If you do not drink alcohol, you still have soft drinks, but much of the social mood revolves around beer and wine. Families should also know that alcohol is part of the atmosphere, even though children are welcome.

Food is separate. Lunch, premium drinks, and ice cream are not included, and private transportation is also excluded. Because the cruise lasts three hours and the sailing can be active, eating before departure may be sensible if you do not want to buy food onboard.

Shade matters in Tenerife. About two-thirds of the boat has been described as shaded, but seating is not assigned in the information provided. In hot months, try to board early enough to find a place under the canopy. The breeze can feel pleasant, but sun exposure adds to the risk of feeling unwell.

The ship has an onboard restroom, which is important on a three-hour trip. It is described as small and somewhat worn, so think of it as a useful facility rather than a comfortable bathroom. Hold on carefully if the boat is rocking.

How rough is the sea?

This is the main practical warning. Several outings have had big waves or a very rocky ride, particularly when the boat heads into open water. Some people felt sick, even though the crew helped and the trip continued. Spring weather and poor sea conditions can also lead to cancellations.

Sea conditions vary from day to day, so a smooth experience cannot be promised. If you are sensitive to motion, take suitable medication before boarding, sit where you can get fresh air, and do not overdo the included alcohol. Bring water, sun protection, and a light cover if you are likely to feel chilled after swimming.

The boat has restroom facilities and the crew carries sick bags. Those details help, but they do not remove the basic fact that this is a moving vessel in the Atlantic. Parents should keep this in mind for very young children. The crew has been described as particularly helpful with toddlers and older children, but every child reacts differently to waves.

Is $45.95 good value?

For a three-hour cruise, $45.95 is a strong price if you want several elements in one outing. You get marine wildlife watching, a swimming stop, onboard entertainment, the Viking setting, and unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks. The restroom and return to the same harbour add practical value.

The price is less attractive if you do not drink, do not care for staged entertainment, or mainly want a specialist wildlife tour. Food is extra, transport is not included, and there is no guarantee that whales or dolphins will appear. You are paying for a full afternoon-style activity, not only for wildlife viewing.

The high overall rating and 95 percent recommendation fit the kind of experience this is: fun, social, and easy to enjoy with a family or group. The strongest praise focuses on the crew, especially their humour, patience with children, and care when someone feels sick. The wildlife sightings can be excellent, but the crew is what keeps the outing worthwhile when nature does not cooperate.

Families, couples, and accessibility

This cruise suits families with children and teenagers particularly well. Face painting, music, mock fights, games, photo props, and swimming give children several ways to enjoy the outing. Adults can join the social side, watch for whales, and make use of the included drinks.

Couples can enjoy it too, especially if you want a playful holiday afternoon rather than a quiet romantic sail. The Viking theme makes it a memorable choice for birthdays, celebrations, or simply a break from beach time.

People with mobility needs should contact the operator before booking and explain exactly what assistance is required. The supplied information refers to two wheelchair spaces at the front side of the ship and a disabled toilet, while another account describes difficulty obtaining assistance at boarding. That mixed picture means you should not rely on a general accessibility label. Discuss boarding, seating, and bathroom access in advance, and report allergies ahead of time.

Most people can participate, but the sea conditions are the deciding factor for anyone with balance, heart, mobility, or motion concerns. The operator also notes that you should provide advance information about allergies.

Booking and cancellation details

You receive confirmation at the time of booking, and the activity is offered in English. The cruise starts and ends at the Los Cristianos meeting point, with no private pickup included.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 1 p.m. start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded. The local time in Tenerife determines the cut-off.

The cruise depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels because of weather or insufficient numbers, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Ragnarok?

Book this cruise if you want a lively all-in-one afternoon with whales, swimming, music, costumes, and drinks. It is especially good for families, mixed-age groups, and anyone who prefers a boat trip with plenty of entertainment between wildlife sightings.

Think twice if you get seasick, dislike alcohol-centered settings, or want a quiet, small-scale wildlife expedition. The animals are wild and sightings are not guaranteed, while the sea can be rough.

For the best chance of enjoying it, take motion-sickness precautions, aim for a shaded seat, bring sun protection, and board ready for a social event rather than a silent nature cruise. At $45.95, the combination of wildlife, swimming, entertainment, and included drinks makes this a worthwhile choice for the right kind of afternoon.

FAQ

Where does the Viking cruise start?

The cruise starts at the excursion area in the harbour of Los Cristianos, Playa de las Americas, Tenerife.

What time does the cruise begin?

The stated start time is 1 p.m.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately three hours.

Does the boat return to Los Cristianos?

Yes. The activity ends back at the same meeting point where it begins.

Are drinks included?

Unlimited soft drinks, beer, and wine are included. Premium drinks are not included.

Is food included in the price?

No. Lunch and ice cream are not included, although food can be purchased onboard.

Are whale and dolphin sightings guaranteed?

No. The cruise looks for whales and dolphins in the wild, but sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Can I swim during the cruise?

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

Is there a restroom onboard?

Yes. The boat has an onboard restroom.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted or refunded. If poor weather or insufficient numbers cancel the cruise, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.