Ballestas Islands boat tour and Paracas scooter ride

Sea lions and penguins by boat, then desert and beaches by scooter

A seven-hour tour of Paracas combining a guided boat trip to the Ballestas Islands with a self-paced scooter ride through the Paracas National Reserve. You sail past sea lions, Humboldt penguins and glovebirds in their habitat, then explore the reserve's desert landscapes, beaches and viewpoints on your own schedule. The tour includes speedboat passage, life jacket, scooter rental and a bilingual guide.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Ballestas Islands2h
2. Paracas National Reserve5h

Ballestas Islands and Paracas Reserve

• Boat to Ballestas Islands
• See sea lions and penguins
• Scooter tour in Paracas Reserve
• Explore beaches and viewpoints

The experience

You start with a boat ride to the Ballestas Islands, where a guide leads you past sea lions, Humboldt penguins and glovebirds in their natural habitat. The speedboat gets you close enough to watch the animals without disturbing them, and a life jacket is provided for the passage. After the boat returns, you pick up a scooter and spend the rest of the day exploring the Paracas National Reserve on your own terms: no fixed route, no group pace to match.

The reserve itself is a mix of desert, rocky coastline and panoramic overlooks. You decide which beaches to stop at, which viewpoints to climb, and how long to linger at each one. The scooter gives you the mobility to cover ground that would take hours on foot, and the landscape shifts quickly from sand dunes to cliff edges to sheltered coves. A guide in English or Spanish is available throughout the day if you want context about what you're seeing.

The whole experience runs about seven hours from start to finish. Scooter riders need to be at least 18 years old and have riding experience. The boat portion is open to children from age one. Motion sickness can be an issue on the speedboat in rougher conditions, and the scooter riding itself involves some physical exertion, though the pace is entirely yours to set.

What’s included

• Scooter rental for the Paracas National Reserve portion.
• speedboat passage to the Ballestas Islands.
• life jacket.
• bilingual guide in English and Spanish throughout the day.

Before you book

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

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (17 and older) · Child (1 to 16 years)

GroupUp to 55

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$ 6.30

Prices and times updated 4 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 scooter leg demands riding experience and balance, but the boat portion is passive and open to young children, so families can split the day: one parent boats with a toddler while the other explores by scooter, or everyone does both if the kids are old enough to ride.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 16 years).

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

Sea lions, Humboldt penguins and glovebirds live on and around the islands. The speedboat passes close enough to observe them in their habitat without disturbing the colony.

How does the scooter part work? Do I follow a guide or go alone?

You explore the Paracas National Reserve at your own pace on the scooter. A bilingual guide is available if you want information about the landscape and wildlife, but you choose your own route and stops.

What's included in the tour price?

Scooter rental, speedboat passage to the Ballestas Islands, life jacket and a guide in English or Spanish are all included.

Is this tour physically demanding?

The boat ride is passive, but scooter riding requires balance and some physical control. The pace is yours to set, so you can take breaks whenever you want. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health or pregnancy.