Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Dune Buggy from Lima

Sea lions and penguins by boat, then speed across sand dunes in a buggy

A full-day tour from Lima combines a shared boat ride to the Ballestas Islands (home to sea lions, penguins and seabirds) with dune buggy rides and sandboarding at the Huacachina Oasis, plus lunch and a pisco tasting at a local vineyard. The guide speaks English or Spanish, pickup is included from your Lima hotel, and the day runs about 14.5 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Ballestas Islands and Huacachina Oasis

• Visit Paracas Reserve
• Take shared boat ride at Ballestas Islands
• See sea lions, birds, and penguins
• Enjoy lunch at local restaurant
• Learn about pisco and wine production
• Travel to Huacachina Oasis
• Ride dune buggy in desert
• Try sandboarding on dunes

The experience

The day starts before dawn with hotel pickup in Lima, then heads south to the Paracas Reserve and the Ballestas Islands. You board a shared boat and spend the morning watching sea lions lounge on the rocks, spotting penguins, and scanning the cliffs for seabirds. The boat moves close enough to see the animals clearly but stays at a distance that keeps them undisturbed. On rare occasions the Peruvian Navy closes the port (it happens roughly once or twice in a hundred trips), but the operator has backup alternatives ready so the day doesn't fall apart.

After the boat returns, you drive inland toward the Huacachina Oasis. This is where the pace shifts. You climb into a dune buggy and ride across the vast sand dunes that surround the oasis, speeding through the desert landscape with the coastline visible in the distance. If you want to try sandboarding, you can walk down the dunes with a board and slide back up. It's optional and included. Both the buggy ride and sandboarding happen in a small shared group, so you're not alone but the experience stays intimate.

Lunch happens at a local restaurant near the oasis, where someone from the vineyard walks you through how pisco and wine are made in this region, from planting through harvest to bottling. You taste a selection of local piscos and wines. The air-conditioned vehicle waits outside, and by late afternoon you're back in Lima. Wear comfortable clothes, sunglasses and sunscreen. Bring water and a hat. The buggy and sandboarding are shared experiences, and the group stays under 15 people on most days.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Lima.
• a shared boat tour of the Ballestas Islands.
• dune buggy rides across the sand dunes at Huacachina.
• sandboarding down the dunes.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• a pisco and wine tasting with explanation of production.
• an air-conditioned vehicle for transport.
• a professional guide in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 04:30

AgesAdult (11 to 85 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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 17 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by HAKU TOURS

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so you can follow the commentary comfortably in whichever language you choose. Book your preference at checkout. The full day and moderate physical demands (buggy rides, sandboarding, walking on sand) suit travelers who want to move through multiple landscapes in one trip and don't mind an early start and a long day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

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 will I see on the Ballestas Islands boat ride?

The Ballestas Islands boat tour shows you sea lions resting on the rocks, penguins, and a variety of seabirds that nest in the cliffs. The boat stays close enough to see them clearly without disturbing them, and the ride lasts through the morning as part of the full day.

Can I do the dune buggy ride and sandboarding, or do I have to choose one?

Both the dune buggy ride and sandboarding are included in the tour. Sandboarding is optional (you can skip it if you prefer), but both activities happen at the Huacachina Oasis and are part of the same afternoon.

How long is the whole day from start to finish?

The tour runs about 14.5 hours total, including hotel pickup in Lima, the boat ride to Ballestas Islands, the drive to Huacachina, buggy and sandboarding time, lunch, and the pisco tasting before returning to Lima in the late afternoon.

Is the guide in English, or only Spanish?

The guide speaks both English and Spanish, so you can choose which language works for you when you book. Let the operator know your preference at checkout.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to pay extra for?

The tour includes hotel pickup from Lima, the boat ride to Ballestas Islands, the dune buggy ride, sandboarding, lunch, a pisco and wine tasting, and an air-conditioned vehicle for the full day. Gratuities for the guide are not included.