Peru · Wildlife

Ballestas Islands Sigthseeing Tour

2 Hours Round trip from Pickup service provided in Paracas. Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Scenic motorboat trip to the Ballestas Islands
  • 02 See the mysterious Paracas Candelabra geoglyph
  • 03 Spot sea lions, penguins, pelicans, and other seabirds
  • 04 Explore a protected marine sanctuary off the Paracas coast
  • 05 Enjoy views of striking geological formations
  • 06 Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off in Paracas

Discover the wildlife-rich waters off Paracas on a scenic motorboat trip to the Ballestas Islands. This short but memorable excursion takes you across the Pacific Ocean to a protected marine area known for its striking rock formations and abundant bird and marine life.

Along the way, admire the mysterious Paracas Candelabra geoglyph etched into the desert hillside before continuing to the islands, where you may spot sea lions, penguins, pelicans, and other seabirds in their natural habitat. With hotel transfers included from Paracas, this is an easy and rewarding way to experience one of the region’s most iconic coastal highlights.

Along the way, admire the mysterious Paracas Candelabra geoglyph etched into the desert hillside before continuing to the islands, where you may spot sea lions, penguins, pelicans, and other seabirds in their natural habitat.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Hours
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Ballestas Islands, Paracas
Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

El Chaco

In the morning, the transport service will pick you up from your Paracas hotel to go to El Chaco dock, the boarding point for the boat ride to Ballestas Islands.

Candelabrum

After boarding, we will go to Ballestas Islands, located 30 minutes away from the coast of Paracas. On the way you can see the still inexplicable lines drawn in the sand forming a candelabrum. This mysterious geoglyph measures 590 ft., and is circa 2,500 years old.

Ballestas Islands

We will continue the tour until reach the islands. It is a natural reserve of beautiful geological formations, impressive fauna where you will find sea lions, penguins and birds such as the pelican, among other species found in the archipelago. Due to the number of birds that lives in the area, and with the migratory ones, these islands have the best natural fertilizer in the world: the guano. Peru used the guano to improve the economy, between 1845 and 1866. At the end of the tour, we will return to the dock, and you will be transferred back to your hotel in Paracas.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Pickup service provided in Paracas. 2 cities · 2 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Transfer To And From The Hotel To The Embark Point
  • Shared Boat Ride
  • Coffee and/or Tea
  • Boarding Tax

What's Not Included

  • Food

Know before you go

  • PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NEARBY
  • INFANTS MUST SIT ON LAPS
  • PASSPORT REQUIRED
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not stroller accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • Infant seats unavailable
  • Not recommended for people with back problems
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • You should bring sunscreen, hat and sun glasses, comfortable clothes, windbreaker jacket.
  • If you are prone to motion sickness, please take any necessary precautions. Consult a medical professional before taking any medication.
  • Pick up and drop-off in centrally located hotels in Paracas

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pickup service provided in Paracas.
Tour start
Pickup service provided in Paracas.
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 2 hours finish where they began, in Pickup service provided in Paracas..

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