Ballestas Islands tour: Sea lions, penguins from San Martin Port

The Candelabra geoglyph appears on the hillside before you reach the islands themselves.

A guided boat tour of the Ballestas Islands leaving directly from San Martin Port, designed for cruise passengers with no extra shuttle needed. You'll see sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and dolphins at the three islands, stop at the Paracas peninsula to view the Candelabra geoglyph, and navigate inside caves depending on sea conditions. The tour includes pickup and drop-off at the port, an English or Spanish-speaking guide, and all transportation in a group setting. Your guide meets you at 9:15am and returns you to the ship in time for departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Ballestas Islands boat tour from port

• Meet guide at San Martin Port
• Transfer to Paracas town
• Board speedboat with group
• See Candelabro geoglyph at Paracas peninsula
• Visit Ballestas Islands and observe wildlife
• Navigate inside caves if sea allows
• Return to port and transfer back to ship

The experience

The tour starts at San Martin Port itself. Your guide meets you at 9:15am just steps from your ship, so there's no waiting for a shuttle or arranging separate transport. From there you're transferred to Paracas town to join the rest of the group and board a speedboat. On the way, you stop at the Paracas peninsula to see the Candelabra, a massive geoglyph etched into the hillside whose origins remain a mystery. Some theories link it to the Nazca Lines, but nothing has been proven.

Once at the Ballestas Islands, the boat navigates to three separate islands where you watch sea lions and Humboldt penguins in their habitat, along with dolphins if they're present. Depending on sea conditions, you'll navigate inside some of the caves around the islands. The boat keeps a safe distance from the wildlife, so you're observing rather than disturbing. After the island portion, you head back to the port and are driven back to San Martin to rejoin your ship.

The whole experience runs about two hours from start to finish. Your guide speaks either English or Spanish, and the boat and transport are modern with safety as a priority. If your ship is delayed arriving in port, notify the operator three to four days ahead and they'll arrange a new pickup time. You'll need your printed or e-travel voucher plus a passport or ID for verification before boarding.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off from San Martin Port.
• English or Spanish-speaking guide.
• speedboat access to the three Ballestas Islands.
• the Candelabra geoglyph stop on the Paracas peninsula.
• cave navigation depending on sea conditions.
• all group transportation and activities.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:15

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 40

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 5

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersInfants must sit on laps

Operated by JD ADVENTURE TRAVEL

Is this one for you?Book this if you're docked at San Martín Port and want to see the Candelabra and wildlife without leaving the port area. The tour departs steps from your ship and times your return to your departure window.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 3): free.

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 wildlife will I actually see on the Ballestas Islands tour?

Sea lions and Humboldt penguins are the main residents you'll encounter at the three islands. Dolphins sometimes appear as well, though sightings depend on the day. The boat keeps a distance from the animals, so you're watching them in their natural habitat rather than getting close-up access.

How long does the whole tour take from pickup to drop-off?

The tour runs about two hours total, starting with your 9:15am pickup at San Martin Port. That includes the transfer to Paracas, the boat ride to the islands and the Candelabra stop, and the return drive back to the port.

What is the Candelabra and why do we stop there?

The Candelabra is a large geoglyph (a design etched into the hillside of the Paracas peninsula) that you see on the boat ride to the islands. Its origin is unknown. Some theories connect it to the Nazca Lines, but there's no proof. The stop lets you see this mysterious figure as part of the natural landscape you're passing through.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the boat, or does the tour handle it?

The tour includes pickup and drop-off directly from San Martin Port, so you walk from your ship to meet your guide at 9:15am. You're transferred to Paracas town, then board the speedboat from there. Everything is included in the booking, and you're back at the port in time for your ship's departure.

What do I need to bring or have ready before boarding?

Bring your printed or e-travel voucher along with your passport or any valid ID for verification at boarding. If your ship is delayed arriving in port, email the operator three to four days in advance so they can adjust your pickup time.