Paracas Ballestas Islands & Huacachina Sandboarding Day Trip

Summary

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.

What’s the experience like?

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.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ballestas Islands and Huacachina Oasis

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

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for kids?

Yes, families often join! Small children can ride in a stroller or pram, and there are infant seats available for transport.

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.

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.