Ballestas Islands Boat Tour from Paracas
from US$ 17.03 per person
You meet the group at El Chaco pier in Paracas, put on your life jacket and board the speedboat. On the way you pass the Candelabra, the large geoglyph drawn on a sandy hillside, and then circle the Ballestas Islands. There is no landing: you watch the wildlife from the boat while a bilingual guide explains what you are seeing.
Expect sea lions with their pups, colonies of guano birds and, in season, Humboldt penguins; dolphins sometimes appear too. Departures are at 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. The boat is fast and the wind is cold, so bring a jacket, a cap and sunscreen. This is a group tour without hotel pickup or the tourist ticket.
Highlights
- Departure from El Chaco pier, at 8:00 or 10:00 a.m.
- The Candelabra geoglyph seen from the sea on the way out
- Sea lions, guano birds and Humboldt penguins in season
- Bilingual guide and life jacket for the whole boat ride
- About 2 hours in total, leaving the rest of your day in Paracas free
Gallery
- Duration
- About 2 hours
- Schedule
- Departures: 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
- Capacity
- Group tour
- Minimum age
- From 1 year old
- Service
- Shared
- Languages
- Spanish and English
Itinerary
Speedboat trip from El Chaco pier in Paracas to watch the wildlife of the Ballestas Islands.
- 8:00 or 10:00 a.m.
Meeting at El Chaco pier
You arrive at the Paracas pier for your chosen departure, put on your life jacket and board the speedboat.
The Candelabra
On the way to the islands, the boat passes the Candelabra geoglyph, drawn on the sandy hillside.
Cruise around the Ballestas Islands
Without landing, you circle the islands watching sea lions, guano birds and, in season, Humboldt penguins, while the guide explains what you see.
Back to the pier
The boat returns to El Chaco pier, where the tour ends.
Included
- Speedboat trip to the Ballestas Islands
- Life jacket
- Bilingual tour guide during the boat trip
Not included
- Ballestas Islands tourist ticket (adults S/ 16.00, children S/ 11.00)
- Pier tax
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Paracas
- Meals
Safety
- Speedboats with a life jacket for every passenger
- Bilingual tour guide
- Established routes monitored by SERNANP
Important
- The meeting point is El Chaco pier in Paracas.
- All passengers must carry a valid, physical identity document.
- By SERNANP rules, children under 1 year old are not allowed on the pier or on the boat trip.
- Departure depends on sea and weather conditions.
- Wearing the life jacket is mandatory for the whole boat ride.
- Feeding the animals is not allowed; photos are taken without flash.
- A 50% deposit is required to confirm the booking.
- If you cancel up to 48 hours before, you get a full refund.
Frequently asked questions
Can you land on the Ballestas Islands?
No. The islands are a protected area and landing is not allowed; the boat circles them so you can see the wildlife up close.
What wildlife can you see at the Ballestas Islands?
South American fur seals and sea lions, adults and pups, and large numbers of seabirds. In season there are Humboldt penguins and, with luck, dolphins.
When is the best time to go?
The tour runs all year, although April to November is usually the best season. Departures depend on sea conditions.
Can young children come?
Yes, from age 1. By SERNANP rules, children under 1 year old are not allowed on the pier or on the boat trip.
What does the tour not include?
It does not include the Ballestas Islands tourist ticket (adults S/ 16.00, children S/ 11.00), the pier tax, hotel pickup or meals. The meeting point is El Chaco pier.
