Ballestas Islands & Paracas Reserve Day Trip: See the Candelabra geoglyph

Sea lions, penguins and a massive geoglyph carved into the mountainside

A full-day boat and land tour from Paracas that combines a morning cruise to the Ballestas Islands—where you watch sea lions, Peruvian boobies and Humboldt penguins from the water—with an afternoon drive through Paracas National Reserve to see flamingos at the Mirador de Flamencos and La Catedral rock formation. An English-speaking guide leads both segments; boat ride, transport and reserve access are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Ballestas Islands and Paracas Reserve

• Depart Paracas boat dock at 8:00 am
• View Candelabra geoglyph from boat
• Explore Ballestas Islands wildlife
• Return to Paracas dock at 10:00 am
• Depart to Paracas National Reserve at 11:00 am
• Visit Mirador de Flamencos flamingo viewpoint
• Tour Centro de Interpretacion museum
• Off-road to Lagunillas Beach
• Optional swim and lunch at Lagunillas
• Return to Paracas

The Experience

The day starts at 8:00 am from the Paracas dock with a westbound boat ride toward the Ballestas Islands. Before you reach the archipelago, the boat slows at the Candelabra geoglyph—a 150-meter-high candlestick figure etched into the mountainside, believed to have guided ancient sailors or connected to the Nazca lines. You get time to photograph it before the boat continues to the islands themselves, where the real wildlife begins.

At the Ballestas Islands, families of over 100 sea lions crowd the rocks and shoreline—some sleeping, some barking to defend their territory. Cormorants, Peruvian boobies, Peruvian pelicans and Humboldt penguins nest together in small groups across the archipelago. The waters sometimes hold dolphins. The boat returns to Paracas by 10:00 am; you'll have time to photograph the pelicans that hang around the dock before heading to the second part of the tour.

At 11:00 am, transport takes you south to Paracas National Reserve, a pristine coastal desert landscape. The guide leads you to the Mirador de Flamencos overlook, where flamingos and parihuanas feed at the shore, then to the Centro de Interpretacion to see skeletal remains of whales, sea lions and penguins. The tour finishes off-road in the desert toward Lagunillas Beach, where you can swim if you want and buy lunch with a view. The return to Paracas closes the day.

What’s included

• Ballestas Islands boat ride with time at the archipelago.
• transport between Paracas and the national reserve.
• English-speaking guide for both the boat tour and the reserve.
• Paracas National Reserve access and guided tour of the Mirador de Flamencos, Centro de Interpretacion and Lagunillas Beach.

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Bamba Travel

Is this one for you?The full seven-hour itinerary works for travelers who want to see both the offshore wildlife and the desert landscape in one day without arranging separate transport or guides—the boat and land portions connect back-to-back, so the morning and afternoon fit into a single trip.

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Top questions

What wildlife will I actually see on the Ballestas Islands boat ride?

The Ballestas Islands are home to large sea lion colonies, Peruvian boobies, Humboldt penguins, cormorants and Peruvian pelicans. Dolphins sometimes appear in the water, though sightings are not guaranteed. The boat passes the Candelabra geoglyph on the way out.

How long is the boat ride to the Ballestas Islands and back?

The boat departs at 8:00 am and returns by 10:00 am, so the full Ballestas Islands portion takes about two hours. The return trip is a direct, windy ride back to the Paracas dock.

What happens at Paracas National Reserve in the afternoon?

The afternoon tour includes a stop at the Mirador de Flamencos overlook to watch flamingos and parihuanas, a visit to the Centro de Interpretacion to see whale and sea lion skeletons, and a drive off-road into the desert to Lagunillas Beach, where swimming is optional.

Is lunch included in this day trip?

Lunch is not included, but you can buy it at Lagunillas Beach with a view of the water. Food and drinks are your own cost.

What should I bring for the boat ride to the Ballestas Islands?

Bring layers to protect from cool ocean air, sun and sea spray. Binoculars help you see the birds and sea lions more clearly. If you're prone to motion sickness, take medication about 30 minutes before boarding.

What's the weather like, and what should I wear for the reserve tour?

During summer months (December to March), bring extra fresh clothing for high heat, especially January and February. For the rest of the year, bring a jacket for cold winds. Sun block, hat and sunglasses are recommended year-round.