Los Cristianos: Whale Watching Cruise w/Swim Stop & Drinks

The best part of this cruise is the odd but winning mix: you are on a carefully decorated Viking ship, watching pilot whales and dolphins in the waters south of Tenerife. The crew keeps the mood playful with stories, music, face painting, and Viking antics, but the wildlife viewing is handled with care.

I like the included beer, wine, and other drinks, which make the $91 price easier to weigh against standard whale-watching trips. I also like the swim stop, especially if you want more than a boat ride and feel ready for a cool Atlantic dip. The catch is simple: the sea can be choppy, and people prone to seasickness may have a hard time.

• Pilot whales near the boat: The waters between Tenerife and La Gomera are known for regular sightings.
• Ragnarok’s Viking theme: Costumes, props, face painting, music, and playful crew interaction keep this from feeling like a plain wildlife cruise.
• Swim stop near the coast: You can swim or snorkel from the boat, with life jackets available for children.
• South Tenerife views: The route passes Playa de Las Américas and Adeje, with views toward El Teide.
• Drinks included: Beer, wine, water, and other drinks are served during the cruise. Food is extra.
• Three hours from Los Cristianos: Arrive at least 15 minutes early at Excursion Zone A beside the beach.

A Viking ship with real wildlife in Tenerife

The Ragnarok is not a sleek little speedboat. It is a themed Viking ship built to make the boat itself part of the show. That gives this cruise a different feel from the many ordinary whale and dolphin trips leaving Los Cristianos.

You set out from Puerto de Los Cristianos and head into the open water between Tenerife and La Gomera. This stretch is known for pilot whales and dolphins, and the crew keeps watch while explaining what you are seeing. On a good day, the animals may come close to the vessel, sometimes just a few metres away.

That proximity can make for excellent photographs, but you should keep expectations sensible. Wild animals follow their own schedule. One departure may produce dolphins, pilot whales, or both. Another may produce no sightings at all. The cruise is still worthwhile for the coastline, swimming, and entertainment, but no operator can promise a whale encounter.

The crew’s approach to the animals is another plus. They are careful not to crowd them, and the boat may slow down or keep its distance when needed. That matters if you care about seeing wildlife without turning the encounter into a noisy chase.

Leaving Los Cristianos and finding your sea legs

The meeting point is at Boarding Gate Zone Excursion A, right beside the beach in Los Cristianos Harbour. The port can be busy, and parking is limited, so allow extra time. You are asked to arrive at least 15 minutes before departure, and that is good advice. A late arrival could mean missing the boat.

Once aboard, the crew gives a safety briefing and helps you settle in. The ship has comfortable restrooms, a useful feature on a three-hour trip. It is wheelchair accessible, but the operator asks you to use a manual wheelchair rather than an electric one for safety reasons.

The first part of the cruise gives you time to enjoy the boat and the views. From the water, you see the south coast from a different angle, including the developed shore around Playa de Las Américas and the cliffs and beaches near Adeje. The view toward Mount Teide adds a striking volcanic backdrop when conditions are clear.

I would bring a light layer even on a warm day. The sun can be strong, but the boat is moving and the open water can feel cooler than the harbour. Sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel belong in your day bag.

Searching for dolphins and pilot whales

The wildlife portion is the heart of the trip. The boat heads toward the waters where dolphins and pilot whales are often seen, and the crew points out marine life as it appears. You may see animals surfacing beside the ship or moving in small groups across the water.

Pilot whales are a common highlight. They are not the giant whales many people picture, but seeing them close to the boat is still a memorable sight. Their dark bodies and slow, powerful movement make them easy to spot when they surface.

Dolphins can be harder to photograph because they move quickly. Keep your phone or camera ready, but do not spend the entire cruise staring at a screen. The best moments may last only a few seconds, and the crew will help direct your attention to the right side of the ship.

The guides add useful facts about dolphins and pilot whales rather than simply pointing and moving on. Gunner is frequently singled out as a lively host, and Mathias is also part of the team praised for keeping the group involved. The exact crew can vary, but you can expect English and Spanish guidance.

There is a useful balance here. The Viking characters provide jokes, stories, and photo moments, while the wildlife encounter remains the reason to watch the sea closely. When animals appear, the crew can shift the attention from comedy to observation.

The swim stop near Tenerife’s cliffs

After the wildlife search, Ragnarok drops anchor near cliffs and beaches along the coast. This is your chance to get into the Atlantic for a swim or snorkel.

For many people, this is the part that turns the trip from a sightseeing cruise into a proper holiday outing. You can cool off, float beside the boat, and look back at Tenerife from the water. The stop also gives children and active adults something to do after the wildlife viewing.

Swimming is optional, of course. You can stay aboard, have a drink, watch the swimmers, and enjoy the views. If you do enter the water, bring a towel and listen closely to the crew’s instructions. Life jackets are available for younger children, and the crew helps keep the activity organized.

The water may feel refreshing rather than warm, depending on the season and your own tolerance. Snorkeling is offered, but this is not presented as a dedicated reef or underwater wildlife tour. Think of it as a pleasant Atlantic swim with a chance to look beneath the surface, not a full snorkeling expedition.

A sea turtle is possible, but it should not be treated as part of the standard promise. The main marine sightings are dolphins and pilot whales.

Viking stories, face paint, and family entertainment

The entertainment is a major reason to choose Ragnarok instead of a basic boat tour. The crew stays in character, tells Viking stories, poses for photographs, and involves people of different ages. Optional Viking face painting helps children play along, while adults can join in without having to take the whole thing seriously.

The tone is deliberately silly. If you want a quiet, naturalist-led trip with long stretches of calm observation, this may feel too theatrical. If you like music, jokes, costumes, and a crew that works the whole boat, it adds a lot.

Children are given plenty of attention, and the format suits families particularly well. Younger passengers can take part in the Viking theme, have their faces painted, and watch the crew’s antics. Adults without children can enjoy it too, but you need to be comfortable with a playful, interactive atmosphere.

There are props and photo opportunities, so leave a little room in your phone for pictures. The operator does not include professional photos in the price, and any photo service is extra.

Drinks included, food available for purchase

The price includes drinks during the cruise. Beer, wine, water, and other nonalcoholic choices are available, which is a useful advantage on a three-hour outing. You do not need to buy a separate drink package after boarding.

Food and snacks are not included. The onboard bar sells items such as burgers, chips, chicken nuggets, and similar casual food. Prices mentioned in the available information put some items around a few euros, though the exact menu and cost can change.

This setup works well if you want a simple lunch or snack without planning around a restaurant. Still, I would not book the cruise expecting a full meal. If you have dietary needs, bring appropriate food only if permitted by the operator, or check the onboard choices before departure.

One practical point: included alcohol can change the feel of the boat. Most people use it as a pleasant extra, but moderation matters, especially before swimming. The sea, sun, and alcohol are not a good combination if you overdo it.

Is $91 good value for three hours?

At $91 per person, this is not the cheapest boat ride from Los Cristianos. You are paying for more than wildlife viewing: the Viking ship, crew entertainment, included drinks, a swim stop, restrooms, and the coastline route all form part of the package.

The value improves if you plan to use several of those features. A family that wants a themed outing, swimming, and entertainment may get more from this than from a quiet two-hour wildlife trip. Couples who mainly want serious photography and natural history may prefer a smaller, calmer boat.

The wildlife can also affect how you judge the price. Seeing dolphins and pilot whales close to the boat can make the cruise feel like excellent value. If no animals appear, the ship, views, swimming, and crew show carry more of the experience.

The cruise has received a 4.7 rating from 841 bookings, and repeat participation is a useful clue about its appeal. Several people return on later holidays or book the trip more than once. That does not guarantee that you will love the style, but it suggests the entertainment and crew are consistent strengths.

Choppy water and other drawbacks to consider

The main warning is seasickness. Parts of the route can be choppy, and some people may feel unwell. If you know you are sensitive, consider taking your usual motion sickness medicine before the cruise, following medical advice. Sitting near the middle of the boat may help, though no seat removes all movement.

The boat can also feel busy. One account noted that seating was a little tight when the vessel was full. Arriving early helps you board calmly and choose a comfortable place.

The drink selection could be broader, according to one piece of feedback, and there is no mead despite the Viking theme. That is a small complaint, but it says something useful: the atmosphere is Viking-inspired rather than a fully historic recreation.

This is also not the best fit for anyone seeking silence. Music, jokes, face painting, costumes, and audience interaction are central to the trip. You should book it for fun first, wildlife second, rather than the other way around.

Who should book the Ragnarok cruise?

I would point families toward this trip if they want an activity that keeps children busy. A five-year-old can enjoy the characters and face painting, while older children may prefer the swim and wildlife search. Life jackets help younger swimmers take part, though every child needs close adult supervision.

It also suits adults who like a social boat outing. The crew is friendly and actively involves people, so you will not simply sit in silence for three hours. The included drinks make it feel more relaxed, and the swim stop breaks up the time on board.

It is less suitable for people prone to seasickness, anyone who dislikes themed entertainment, or photographers who want a small boat with minimal distractions. It is also not a dedicated snorkeling trip.

For access, the boat can accommodate wheelchair users with a manual wheelchair. Contact the operator if you need to confirm details for a particular mobility aid before booking.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available departure time carefully, especially if you are arranging transport to Los Cristianos.

Should you book this Tenerife whale-watching cruise?

Book it if you want a three-hour mix of wildlife, swimming, drinks, and comedy rather than a narrowly focused marine tour. The pilot whales and dolphins are the natural draw, but Ragnarok’s crew, Viking setting, and swim stop give the trip its personality.

Skip it if you are highly prone to seasickness or want a quiet, serious wildlife outing. For everyone else, the $91 price is reasonable when you use the included drinks, enjoy the show, and take part in the swim. Arrive early, bring sun protection and a towel, and keep your eyes on the water. The best moment may be a pilot whale surfacing just off the rail.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Puerto de Los Cristianos, at Boarding Gate Zone Excursion A beside the beach in Los Cristianos Harbour.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at least 15 minutes before departure. Traffic can be heavy and parking near the port is limited, so allow extra travel time.

How long is the cruise?

The advertised duration is three hours.

What animals might I see?

The cruise searches for dolphins and whales, with pilot whales among the main possible sightings. Marine animals are wild, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The cruise includes a swimming stop, and you may also snorkel from the boat.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Beer, wine, and other drinks are included during the cruise.

Is food included?

No. Snacks and food are available at the onboard bar for an additional cost.

Is the boat suitable for wheelchair users?

The boat is wheelchair accessible, but the operator asks guests to use a manual wheelchair rather than an electric wheelchair for safety reasons.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.