Our experience on the Ragnarok, the Viking ship of Tenerife
We boarded the Ragnarok, Tenerife’s Viking ship: whale watching, a Viking show and a swim in the sea. What the family trip is like, what’s included and prices.
Miriam4 min readVerified · June 2026
The first time I saw the Ragnarok sailing the waters of Tenerife, it really caught my eye. Seeing a Viking longship in the Canaries isn’t exactly common. This Easter we went aboard for a very Viking experience. Will you join us?
The ship sets sail from Los Cristianos beach, in the south of the island. We’d booked the 13:30 departure and there were quite a few people. We were pleased to see several families with young children. As soon as you board, they take a photo, which you can buy at the end of the trip for €10.
The trip started with the crew’s introduction and some important safety advice on board. Lily was scared from the moment we boarded. I don’t blame her — those Vikings did look very real and bloodthirsty. As the day went on, she, like the other kids, started to warm up.
Whale and dolphin watching in Tenerife
Of the three hours the trip lasts, the first is dedicated to watching whales and dolphins. Between La Gomera and the south of Tenerife there’s a colony of cetaceans, which makes them very easy to spot. This time we weren’t lucky enough to see dolphins, but we saw several pods of pilot whales, which can easily be mistaken for dolphins. The explanations they gave about these animals were very interesting and educational, especially for the kids. We’ve done two whale-watching boat tours in Tenerife and in neither did they give us such interesting, detailed information as on this one.
There are only 4 places in the world where you can enjoy the presence of the pilot whale all year round. These are: Australia, Japan, Jamaica and Macaronesia. Macaronesia, or the Fortunate Isles, is made up of the archipelagos of the Canaries, the Azores, Madeira, the Savage Islands and Cape Verde. The leaders of the pilot-whale pods are the grandmothers. The females stay near the surface, while the males dive to more than 1,000 metres in search of food. Giant squid is their favourite delicacy.
This is just a little of everything we learned aboard the Ragnarok Viking ship.
Entertainment
After enjoying the whale watching in silence, the show continued. The crew carried on with the entertainment: music, face painting, coin minting, sword fighting. The truth is the Ragnarok’s crew are fantastic. The whole time they were attentive to the passengers, chatting, making up games, serving drinks. They’re without doubt the best part of this tour.
Dotted around the ship are several barrels with wooden swords and axes for the kids to play with. You can also become a real Viking, using the helmets, swords, fur coats, shields and other pieces you’ll find on board. I promise you’ll take more than one photo.
Options and what’s included
- Cruise from Los Cristianos
- Watching cetaceans in their habitat
- Viking show and games
- Free use of snorkel mask and tube
- A drink (included only on the 3-hour tour)
| 2 hours | 3 hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | €50 | €77 |
| Child | €40 | €50 |
| Baby | €10 | €10 |
Price per person, full rate. Check offers and availability when you book.
Meeting point: Excursion Area A, by Los Cristianos beach (south of Tenerife)
Departures: the 2 h tour, at 11:00 and 16:00; the 3 h tour, at 13:00
Language: Spanish, English and Polish
Cancellation: free up to 24 h before
Not included: food (there’s a menu on board), photos (€10) or hotel pickup.
Eating on board
Food isn’t included in any of the Viking ship’s trips, but they have a menu you can order on board. Below is the ship’s menu and the prices.
Our verdict
Honestly, our expectations for this tour weren’t very high. We expected the typical tourist excursion. The experience aboard the Ragnarok Viking ship was a pleasant surprise. A really fun, and at the same time educational, activity to do in Tenerife with kids. We recommend this tour above all for families.
FAQ
Where does the Ragnarok Viking ship leave from?
From the port of Los Cristianos (Excursion Area A), in the south of Tenerife. Hotel pickup isn’t included.
How long does the trip last?
You can choose between two options: 2 hours or 3 hours. The 3-hour tour includes drinks; the 2-hour one doesn’t (they can be bought on board).
What’s included?
Both options include the cruise from Los Cristianos, whale and dolphin watching, the Viking show and games, and the swim stop (they usually lend snorkel masks). The 3-hour tour adds drinks. Food (there’s a menu on board) and photos (€10) aren’t included.
Do you see whales and dolphins?
The first part of the cruise is dedicated to spotting them. A colony of cetaceans (mostly pilot whales) lives between Tenerife and La Gomera, so the odds are high, though there’s never a 100% guarantee.
Is it suitable for kids?
Yes, it’s a great family plan: the little ones dress up as Vikings, play with wooden swords and learn about cetaceans. Babies are admitted at a reduced rate.
What if I get seasick?
The tour isn’t recommended if you’re very prone to seasickness. If you’re a little prone, take something before boarding, sit in the central part of the ship and look at the horizon.
