Valheim wouldn’t be a great Viking game without ships and seafaring. This is where several interesting mechanics come into play, especially later on. Some of the game’s later regions can only be reached by boat, so it pays to learn the ropes early. You can choose between four different ships, but when is each one worth using? Today we take a closer look at sailing in Valheim and why crossing the seas can be so important for your progress.
Valheim ocean and islands: Why ships are essential
It might not be obvious at first, but Valheim’s world is made up of many small islands that you will sooner or later only reach with a ship. Early biomes like the Meadows, Black Forest, or Swamp may all be on one island. But the further you get, the more likely it is that an ocean lies between you and your next destination.
If you’re playing with friends, ships are also vital for transporting people and loot. Rent a Valheim game server with instant setup and explore the seas together. Some of the later ships are even designed to carry several players at once, so you can all sail to the next island together. And who knows, you might uncover a secret or two along the way.
Valheim sea serpent: Defeat it or escape it – tips
Seafaring in Valheim isn’t without its pitfalls. You can’t just skip progression or bypass monsters—the ocean has its own hazards. Chief among them is the sea serpent, a long, large creature that loves to harass you mid-crossing. They appear mostly at night, but can also spawn during the day.
With every boat except the raft, you can outrun it. If you’d rather kill it, a bow is recommended. It doesn’t have much health. It drops tasty serpent meat, which floats on the surface. Its scales and trophy, however, sink—so you need to drag the serpent to shore and finish it there. But how?
Valheim leviathan: Find one to farm barnacles and chitin
First, you need to find a leviathan. It’s a massive creature you can’t fully see—only its back breaks the surface. It’s like an artificial island. Barnacles grow there and you should mine them. They yield chitin, which lets you craft a harpoon. With the harpoon you can tether creatures and drag them—perfect for hauling a sea serpent ashore.
Be careful when boarding a leviathan. Each barnacle you harvest has a 10 percent chance to make the giant creature dive back under the ocean. Always keep enough stamina to swim back to your boat in an emergency and avoid drowning.
Steering ships in Valheim: Wind, sails and navigation
Navigation in Valheim depends on the wind. Without it, you won’t get far. That’s why every boat has sails to speed you up. Let’s cover the basics first.
Every boat has a helm. Take the wheel to set both direction and speed. The wheel shows your rudder angle, with a half-circle when you’re turning. Arrows indicate speed—from one to three arrows.
Depending on speed, the sails raise automatically. At level 1 you only paddle, which is shown under the map. At levels 2 and 3 the sails are set, and you move faster with the wind. You can read wind direction from the arrow on the minimap and from the circle shown beneath it. Ideally, you’ll have a tailwind to sail faster.
Sailing in Valheim is a careful sequence of adjustments, because the wind won’t always favor you. Switch to paddle mode to navigate tight passages or lulls, then hoist the sails when the wind turns in your favor.
Weather and waves: How they affect your speed
Bad weather can make your voyage much harder. Storms raise the swell and slow you down, especially with a headwind. Fog reduces visibility, so keep a close eye on the map and compass indicator. In heavy seas, boats collide more easily with rocks and take damage. Repair them at a workbench on the shore. If the wind is unfavorable, tack in a zigzag, use short paddle phases, and keep your distance from coasts with shallow waters.
Valheim boats compared: Raft, Karve, Longship, Drakkar
Raft: You can build a raft in the first biome from wood, leather scraps, and resin. It isn’t very fast and, with only 300 HP, it’s vulnerable to attacks. It also can’t outrun a sea serpent. Use it only in an emergency—it’s not worth it for long crossings.
Karve: The Karve is a much better early boat. You’ll need fine wood, deer hide, resin, and bronze to build it, so you can only use it after the first boss fight. The wait is worth it: the Karve is noticeably faster and has 500 HP. You can even flee from sea serpents. It also has four storage slots and two seats.
Longship: For long voyages, we recommend upgrading to the Longship. With 1000 HP it’s far sturdier and slightly faster than the Karve. To craft it you’ll need iron nails, deer hide, fine wood, and ancient bark. With four seats and a full 18 storage slots, it’s indispensable.
Drakkar: The Drakkar is even larger, though a bit slower and bulkier. You’ll craft it from iron nails, carapace, fine wood, and Yggdrasil wood to venture into the Ashlands. With 3000 HP, eight seats, and 32 item slots, it outclasses every other ship.
Conclusion on sailing in Valheim: Cross the ocean fast
Sea travel is a key part of Valheim, and you can’t avoid it if you want to explore later biomes. While the raft is rarely worth using, the Karve already opens up many options. The sea can be treacherous, with bad weather and shifting winds that won’t always take you where you want to go. You also need to watch out for sea serpents. But once you get the hang of it, sailing in Valheim is great fun.
