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Ballestas Islands Boat Tour: Explore Wildlife Sanctuary on Peruvian Coast
4.8
247 Ratings
Paracas
Embark on a thrilling boat tour to the Ballestas Islands, a wildlife sanctuary on the Peruvian coast. Observe sea lions, silly birds, pelicans, penguins, and other seabirds in their natural habitat.
Embark on a thrilling boat tour to the Ballestas Islands, a wildlife sanctuary on the Peruvian coast. Observe sea lions, silly birds, pelicans, penguins, and other seabirds in their natural habitat.
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- The Chandelier - We stop after navigating 10 minutes to be able to carefully appreciate a northern point of the Paracas peninsula. Where you can look at, photograph and film the Chandelier where the tour guide will briefly explain about the measurements, materials from the area and their possible origin.
- Islas Ballestas - The navigation…
- The Chandelier - We stop after navigating 10 minutes to be able to carefully appreciate a northern point of the Paracas peninsula. Where you can look at, photograph and film the Chandelier where the tour guide will briefly explain about the measurements, materials from the area and their possible origin.
-
Islas Ballestas - The navigation continues and after approximately 15 minutes from the Chandelier you will arrive at the Ballestas Islands where you will have 30 minutes to appreciate a great biodiversity thanks to the Humboldt current and the upwelling phenomenon as well as other factors such as the sun and winds. Bird watching lovers will find a large number of these such as: seagulls, boobies, cormorants, pelicans, vultures and Humboldt penguins. Crustaceans, echinoderms, mollusks, seaweed and others will also be seen.
Definitely the highlight of the Ballestas Islands Tour are the sea lions who steal everyone’s attention due to their curious behavior (they sleep, “pose for the cameras”, or simply socialize and live without problems because they occupy the top of the food chain in the area without natural predators).
The return, of about 40 minutes of navigation, becomes relaxing and enjoying the sea breeze is a natural anti-stress.
What's Included
- Lifejacket
- Official Tourism Guide
- Lifejacket
- Official Tourism Guide
What's Not Included
- Snacks
- Entrance fee to Ballestas Islands Adult: 16 Soles (USD 4.20 approx.), Child: 8 soles (USD 2.10 approx.)
- Snacks
- Entrance fee to Ballestas Islands Adult: 16 Soles (USD 4.20 approx.), Child: 8 soles (USD 2.10 approx.)
Additional Information
The journey to Ballestas Islands starts from El Chaco’s artisan and tourist pier. Our sea vessel carrying 02 outboard engines will shuttle us to the amazing Ballestas Islands, home to the most significant wildlife refuge on Peru’s coastline, where a variety of marine creatures such as sea lions, goofy birds, pelicans, penguins, and other oceanic birds…
The journey to Ballestas Islands starts from El Chaco’s artisan and tourist pier. Our sea vessel carrying 02 outboard engines will shuttle us to the amazing Ballestas Islands, home to the most significant wildlife refuge on Peru’s coastline, where a variety of marine creatures such as sea lions, goofy birds, pelicans, penguins, and other oceanic birds can be seen.
Undoubtedly, the true gems of the Ballestas Islands tour are the sea lions, drawing all eyes due to their interesting antics (sleeping, ‘modeling for the cameras’, or simply cohabiting without disputes as they sit at the top of the regional food chain with no natural enemies).
Location
Travel agency Paracas Explorer
We will meet at our office 30 minutes in advance, to go to the dock to board. It is a 2-minute walk away.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(247 Ratings)
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Scenic31684699265
Jan 13, 2025
Good experience on the Ballestas Islands tour - Very good experience, it was pretty quick and tidy. The guide explained the information about the site very well and were very friendly.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Navigator298544
Jan 3, 2025
Nice walk - The walk to the island was very pleasant. The excellent guide. We managed to see the candlestick, a figure of Nasca lines, some very interesting islets. There weren't many animals. Few penguins and seals may be the month of January.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Flyer31350258302
Dec 31, 2024
WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE - The tour was spectacular....everything was great. The animals were at some distance and avoided disturbing them. The captain's job was efficient....
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alex_r
Dec 20, 2024
Great value for money with amazing wildlife - Saw some amazing wildlife, penguins, sea lions, birds and a beautiful island.
Great value for money, try to get there early and get a seat at the front of the boat!
Review provided by Viator
Pamela_m
Dec 16, 2024
Sea lions galore! - The guide was professional and knowledgeable about the animals and we were blessed to see lots of sea lions and penguins that day. We also saw a sea turtle! The guide explained how the local government is actively protecting the wildlife in Ballestas Island which was interesting . It was a relaxing boat ride, and seeing the animals up close was a treat!
Review provided by Viator
Paolaparrap22
Dec 15, 2024
Highly recommended - An amazing tour. We made Ballestas Islands plus the National Reserve. Always with the accompaniment of the guide who answered all our questions and was very friendly. The landscapes are wonderful.
At the Reserve we did the private tour because we were with a baby. It was the best, we had more time to be on the beach, enjoy the views and have a guide who explained everything.
Highly recommended Paracas Explorer.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hannah_g
Feb 19, 2025
A nice boat ride to see... - A nice boat ride to see some of the wildlife on the islands. Efficient and the guide spoke English and Spanish for us.
Review provided by Viator
C4215xpmichellee
Dec 31, 2024
Disappointed, calm sea but didn’t go - Disappointed with this tour, had txt message morning of tour to say that couldn’t go to the Balleste islands as swell was too big but would be going to Isla Blanca. I had heard this from other people that they hadn’t gone either over last couple of days. There was no wind at all in Paracas so found it hard to see how swell would be too much. Anyway we went off on trip. Only saw 2 penguins from a distance, a few other birds and some sea lions on a bouy. The sea was quite calm, with hardly any swell. If they don’t go to islands when sea is this calm I can’t see how they ever get there, must be very few days of the year. Looking at previous reviews it appears that this happens regularly and makes you wonder if they use as an excuse to not go out so far as the island we went to was much closer. So if you’re thinking of coming to Paracas just to see Penguins etc then think twice, as most likely you will get here and not end up going.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Laura
Jan 4, 2025
Beautiful tour, super worth it, but the company is exploratory - The walk is very beautiful and really worth it. However, I was quite disappointed with the collection. The company charged me 16 soles, plus a 5% fee for card payment, claiming it was the value of the reservation entry. However, when I got there, I found that the entrance cost only 5 soles. It made me feel misled and exploited. For this reason, I would not recommend taking the tour with this company.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Margaret_f
Dec 16, 2024
Okay. - Language barrier. We were charged online as well as cash for our tour. Plus another charge for the ride around the reserve and another for a boarding pass. Do a 28 dollar excursion wound up costing us 53 dollars.
Review provided by Viator
