Ballestas Islands tour from Paracas: Sea lions, penguins

Watch sea lions and penguins from the boat without fighting crowds

A private 2 to 3-hour boat tour from Paracas to the Ballestas Islands and Isla Blanca for up to 5 people, with a professional bilingual guide, covered vessel, and stops to observe sea lions, Humboldt penguins, seabirds and rock formations. The tour includes the Candelabro geoglyph, life jacket, snacks and soda. Entrance fees to the Ballestas Islands are paid separately at the dock.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Ballestas Islands30m
2. Paracas National Reserve30m

Ballestas Islands and Isla Blanca tour

• Pick up travelers
• Transfer to the Candelabra (20 min)
• Visit the Paracas Candelabra geoglyph
• Transfer to Ballestas Islands (20 min)
• Observe sea lions, penguins, and birds
• Admire rock formations and sea caves
• Visit Isla Blanca and enjoy a snack
• Return to Chaco Pier (40 min)
• Conclude the tour

The experience

The Candelabro sits on a hillside 20 minutes from the port: a geoglyph roughly 180 meters long, carved into the earth and visible from the sea. The operator's guide explains what archaeologists believe about its origins around 200 BC and why it has survived the centuries largely intact. From there, another 20 minutes by covered boat takes you to the Ballestas Islands themselves, where the real draw is the animals: sea lions hauled out on rocks, Humboldt penguins (an endangered species), and colonies of boobies, guanays and cormorants nesting on the cliffs. The rock formations and sea caves carved by erosion add to the landscape, but the wildlife is what makes the stop memorable.

Because the tour is private, your group of up to five stays together on one vessel, and the guide adjusts the pace and the stops to what you want to see. You wear a life jacket for the boat ride. Before heading back to El Chaco port, a 30-minute return, you stop at Isla Blanca for a snack and a break on the water. The whole outing runs 2 to 3 hours depending on conditions and what you linger on.

Sightings of animals vary by day and by season, so there is no guarantee you will see every species listed. The guide speaks Spanish and English and is there to help you spot what is around and answer questions about what you are watching.

What’s included

• Professional bilingual guide in Spanish and English.
• covered boat for all transfers.
• life jacket.
• snacks and soda.
• hotel pickup and return to the port.

Before you book

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

Book up to2h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 27 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Paracas Explorer Travel Agency

Is this one for you?The boat runs 2 to 3 hours with time on the water and stops on the islands, so you need to be comfortable on a moving vessel. The private format means your group of up to five sets the pace and chooses where to linger, making it a good fit if you want to watch wildlife without the crowds of a larger tour.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What animals will I actually see on the Ballestas Islands?

Sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and seabirds including boobies, guanays and cormorants are common, though sightings vary depending on the day's conditions and the season. The islands are also known for their dramatic rock formations and sea caves sculpted by erosion.

How long is the boat ride to the Ballestas Islands from Paracas?

The transfer to the Candelabro takes about 20 minutes, then another 20 minutes by boat to reach the Ballestas Islands. The return to El Chaco port is approximately 30 minutes, so the full tour runs 2 to 3 hours.

What is the Candelabro and why do we visit it?

The Candelabro is an enigmatic geoglyph carved into a hillside on the Paracas peninsula, measuring roughly 180 meters long and visible from the sea. Archaeologists believe it was created around 200 BC, possibly as a nautical signal or for religious or astronomical purposes. The tour includes a stop to view it before heading to the islands.

Is the boat covered, and what happens if the weather is rough?

Yes, the vessel is covered. You wear a life jacket for safety. The tour operates in the conditions of the day, so rough seas or poor visibility may affect what you can see, but the boat itself provides shelter from the elements.

Do I need to pay extra for entry to the Ballestas Islands?

Yes, entrance fees to the Ballestas Islands are paid separately at the dock. Adult entry is 16 soles (approximately USD 4.20) and child entry is 8 soles (approximately USD 2.10).

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes the bilingual guide, the covered boat, life jacket, snacks and soda. Hotel pickup is included. You will be collected from your accommodation in Paracas and returned to El Chaco port at the end.