Ballestas Islands Tour Description:
The Ballestas Islands is a vibrant and colorful wildlife sanctuary that is filled with wild birds and mammals, including sea lions, fur seals, and endangered Humboldt penguins. Considered the ‘Peruvian Galapagos’, the tour will allow you to see most of the Ballestas Islands’ marine wildlife. During this two-hour boat tour, you will come face-to-face with the animals in their natural habitation while you are on board a speedboat. On rare occasions, it is even possible to see dolphins and whales. Obviously, this tour is a spectacular choice for animal lovers and birdwatchers.
In addition to the animals named above, a wide range of seabirds also call these rocky islands their home. You may see and hear pelicans, boobies, red-footed Guanay cormorants, and many other types of birds.
Early in the 20th century, the guano (bird droppings) from all these birds was collected and sold as fertilizer. Due to the vast quantities of this valuable substance, this became a major source of revenue for businesses on the coast.
During this tour, you can observe a mysterious geoglyph, similar to the Nazca Lines, that was carved into the face of a cliff over 1,000 years ago. This symbol is called The Candelabra, and it remains the source of much speculation and debate. It likely was created by the Paracas tribe living in the coast at that time, for reasons unknown.
What to bring
These items are important; bring them with you:
- Cameras (optional)
- Sunglasses (optional)
- Sunscreen / hats
- A windbreaker/sweatshirt (it can be chilly in the early morning)
- Money for tips for tour guide or pilot (completely optional)
What Time Does It Start & Duration
If you are staying at a hotel in Paracas, or being picked up from the Paracas bus station, your pick-up time will be 7:40 AM. Then your tour will be from 8:00 AM – 10:15 AM.
For those passengers who are being transported from Huacachina or Ica, you will be picked up at your hotel at 6:30 AM. Paracas is one hour north of Huacachina and Ica, so we need to provide enough time to safely arrive without rushing. Your tour will be from 8:00 AM – 10:15 AM. Then we will return to Huacachina by around 12:00 PM.
Where to book
There are 2 ways to enjoy the Ballestas Islands tour: through a day trip from Lima (which we strongly recommend) or by booking the tour directly. For booking tours directly, we suggest checking out FindLocalTrips to find the perfect option. Although not necessary to book in advance, it’s preferable to do so as you’ll get the best options available.
As for a day trip from Lima, you’ll want a top-rated option that offers a stress-free and safe trip at a great price. From years of providing information about Huacachina and everything around and surveying travelers, we’ve concluded that the day trips offered by Peru Hop are the best ones available. All you’ll need to do is check out their Tripadvisor reviews to see for yourself!
Frequently Asked Questions
What will I see during the tour?
You’ll come across a diverse amount of marine wildlife, such as sea lions, Humboldt penguins, various bird species, and if you’re lucky a couple of dolphins! You’ll also get to see the mysterious Candelabra geoglyph etched into the hillside.