Ballestas Islands boat tour from Paracas: Sea lions and penguins

Sea lions and seabirds on a shared boat through the Ballestas Islands

A shared sightseeing boat tour from Paracas to the Ballestas Islands, lasting 90 to 140 minutes, with hotel pickup and a local guide who speaks English, Spanish or French. The boat passes the Candelabro geoglyph on the Paracas Peninsula before reaching the rocky islands, where you watch sea lions, Humboldt penguins, Peruvian pelicans and other seabirds in their natural habitat. Wildlife sightings depend on daily conditions. Food and drinks are not included. Bring sun protection, sunglasses, a cap and a windproof layer for the boat ride.

Step-by-step itinerary

Ballestas Islands sightseeing boat tour

• Hotel pickup in Paracas
• View and photograph the Candelabro geoglyph
• Explore Ballestas Islands wildlife
• Observe sea lions and seabirds
• Tour ends at El Chaco pier

The experience

The tour starts with hotel pickup in Paracas and heads to El Chaco pier, where you board a canopied boat. The first stop is the Candelabro, a geoglyph etched into the Paracas Peninsula. Your guide explains its measurements, materials and possible origins while you photograph it. From there, the boat continues out to the Ballestas Islands themselves, where the Humboldt current and coastal upwelling create conditions that draw massive numbers of seabirds and marine life.

Sea lions are the highlight most visitors come for. They occupy the rocky outcrops and behave with a curiosity that holds attention: sleeping, posing for cameras, socializing without concern for the boat passing nearby. You'll also see Humboldt penguins, Peruvian pelicans, cormorants, seagulls and other species, along with crustaceans, echinoderms and molluscs clinging to the rocks. What you spot shifts with the weather and the season, so sightings are never guaranteed in the same way twice.

The boat has a canopy for shade, which matters because the wind picks up once you're on the water. Bring a windproof layer even if the pier feels calm, plus sunglasses, a cap and sun block. The whole outing runs between 90 and 140 minutes from start to finish. Infants can ride on an adult's lap, and children of any age are welcome as long as an adult accompanies them.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in Paracas.
• local guide in English, Spanish or French.
• canopied boat with seating for the full duration.
• access to the Candelabro geoglyph and the Ballestas Islands.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 11:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 80 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years)

GroupUp to 135

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.You can choose from 11 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Paracas Explorer Travel Agency

Is this one for you?The guide's language is set at booking (English, Spanish or French), so choose the one you understand best. A shared boat means you travel with other visitors, which keeps the cost lower than a private charter and lets you meet other travelers interested in the same wildlife.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 2 years).

What wildlife will I actually see on the Ballestas Islands tour?

Sea lions are the main draw and almost always present on the rocks, along with Humboldt penguins, Peruvian pelicans, cormorants and other seabirds. Sightings vary with daily conditions, so you might see more or fewer species depending on the weather and time of year.

How long does the boat tour take from Paracas?

The tour runs 90 to 140 minutes total, including the stop at the Candelabro geoglyph on the Paracas Peninsula and the time spent at the Ballestas Islands themselves.

Is hotel pickup included in Paracas?

Yes, hotel pickup in Paracas is included and the boat departs from El Chaco pier. The tour ends at the same pier after you return from the islands.

What should I bring for the boat ride?

Bring sun block, sunglasses and a cap for sun protection, plus a windproof layer because the wind strengthens once the boat is on the water. Food and drinks are not included, so bring your own if you want them.

What is the Candelabro and why do we stop there?

The Candelabro is a geoglyph (a large figure etched into the Paracas Peninsula) that your guide will explain during a photo stop on the way to the islands. The guide covers its measurements, the materials of the area and theories about its origins.