ATV riding in Paracas: Ballestas Islands and desert beaches

Boat ride to the Ballestas Islands, then four-wheel drive across the Paracas Desert

This four-hour tour combines a speedboat trip to the Ballestas Islands (where you watch sea lions, Humboldt penguins and the El Candelabra geoglyph from the water) with an ATV ride through Paracas National Reserve to Playa Yumaque, the Isthmus and Playa Roja. A live guide in English or Spanish leads both parts. You operate the quad bike yourself. Minimum age is 18 and prior riding experience is required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Ballestas Islands2h
2. Paracas National Reserve2h

Boat tour and ATV adventure

• Sail to Ballestas Islands
• Observe sea lions and penguins
• View El Candelabra geoglyph
• Begin ATV tour in Paracas Desert
• Explore Playa Yumaque and Isthmus
• Visit Playa Roja beach

The experience

The day starts on the water. You board a speedboat at the pier and ride out to the Ballestas Islands, where the Pacific swells around sea lion colonies, Humboldt penguins and glovebirds in their natural habitat. The boat passes the El Candelabra geoglyph etched into the coastal cliff: a massive trident-shaped figure visible only from the ocean. The ride is the main event here. You watch from the deck while the guide points out what moves below and around you.

After the boat returns, you switch to an ATV. The guide hands you the quad bike and leads you into the Paracas Desert, crossing open terrain toward the reserve's signature beaches. Playa Yumaque comes first: a sheltered cove with pale sand backed by high cliffs. Then the Isthmus, a narrow strip of land connecting two larger sections of the reserve. Playa Roja closes the loop, a rust-colored beach where iron oxide in the sand gives the shore its name. You ride at your own pace, stopping to photograph the landscape and the coastline dropping away to your left.

The tour runs four hours total. A life jacket is provided for the boat. You'll wear it the whole time on the water. The guide speaks English or Spanish, and you can request the language when you book. Riders must be at least 18 and have prior ATV or quad bike experience. The operator does not teach beginners to ride.

What’s included

• Speedboat ride to the Ballestas Islands with a live guide.
• life jacket.
• four-wheeler (ATV) for the desert portion of the tour.
• guide for both the boat and the ATV ride in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 6.34

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Paracas Holiday

Is this one for you?The four-hour commitment leaves the rest of your day free if you start early, but the minimum age of 18 and requirement for prior ATV experience means this tour is built for riders who already know how to handle a quad bike, not for first-timers or families with younger children.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What animals will I see on the Ballestas Islands boat ride?

Sea lions, Humboldt penguins and glovebirds live on the islands. The boat also passes the El Candelabra geoglyph, a large trident carved into the cliff face that is only visible from the water.

Do I need ATV experience to ride in Paracas?

Yes. Riders must be at least 18 years old and have prior experience operating a quad bike or ATV. The tour does not include instruction for beginners.

What beaches do you visit on the ATV portion?

The ATV ride takes you to Playa Yumaque, a sheltered beach with pale sand and high cliffs; the Isthmus, a narrow strip of land in the reserve; and Playa Roja, a rust-colored beach where iron oxide in the sand gives it its distinctive hue.

How long does the whole tour take?

The tour runs four hours, combining the speedboat trip to the Ballestas Islands and the ATV ride through Paracas National Reserve.