Paracas Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Sandboarding Day Trip

Wildlife Watching & Desert Adventure from Lima

If you want to see sea lions and penguins up close, then race across desert dunes by buggy and try sandboarding at a real oasis, this tour packs it all in one day. You’ll get expert local guidance and plenty of chances to snap photos you’ll actually want to show off.

Step-by-step itinerary

Ballestas Islands and Huacachina Oasis

• Visit Ballestas Islands to see wildlife
• Dune buggy tour and sandboarding at Huacachina

The experience

The day kicked off before sunrise, with the city still half asleep as we rolled south along the Panamericana. Out the window, I caught glimpses of fishermen setting up their nets along the misty beaches outside Lima. There’s something calming about that early morning hush. By the time we reached Paracas, the salty breeze had already woken me up for real. Our guide, Javier, handed out life jackets and we hopped onto a small motorboat bobbing at the pier. The sea air was chilly but fresh, and you could smell seaweed mixed with diesel from the boats.

The ride out to the Ballestas Islands was bumpy in spots. If you’re prone to seasickness, maybe skip breakfast or keep it light. As we got closer, I could hear barking sea lions before I even saw them. There were hundreds sprawled over the rocks, some flopping into the water with a splash. Penguins waddled awkwardly between groups of pelicans and cormorants. Javier pointed out an Inca tern with its funny white mustache. He knew every species by name and shared little stories about their habits. The boat circled slowly so everyone could snap photos: honestly, it’s hard to take a bad one here.

Back on land, we drove inland toward Huacachina. The landscape changed fast: one minute you’re passing vineyards and dusty roadside fruit stands (the mangoes smelled incredible), and then suddenly there’s this surreal lagoon surrounded by giant sand dunes. It looked like something out of a movie. We climbed into a dune buggy (those engines are loud!), and tore across the sand at what felt like rollercoaster speeds. Sandboarding down those slopes is wild. I wiped out twice but couldn’t stop laughing. The sun sets fast in the desert, so don’t forget sunglasses and sunscreen. The glare is no joke.

What’s included

Your day includes a 2-hour boat trip around Ballestas Islands (with entrance fees covered), wildlife spotting with a bilingual guide, all dune buggy and sandboarding gear in Huacachina (plus entrance), comfy air-conditioned transport all day, and flexible options for pickups if needed.

Information

Lasts 12h, runs every day with no fixed time, from US$ 85 per person, with live guides in 5 languages, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate5 group tours ›

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

AgesAdult (2 to 90 years) · Infant (under 2)

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Visit and Travel Peru

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 2).

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.

Do I need previous experience to try sandboarding?

Nope! Most people are first-timers: guides show you how to start safely and help you get comfortable on the board.

What should I bring for the day?

Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, water, a hat, and maybe a light jacket for the boat ride. It can get chilly in the morning near Paracas.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup/drop-off is available for an extra fee depending on your location in Lima or from the airport. Just let us know when booking.