Paracas Full Day Tour: Ballestas Islands & National Reserve

Spot sea lions and penguins from a speedboat, then drive the reserve's rock formations and colored beaches.

A full-day tour of Paracas combines a morning speedboat trip to Ballestas Islands (where you watch sea lions, Humboldt penguins and seabirds around rock formations like the Candlestick and Main Arch) with an afternoon drive through Paracas National Reserve, stopping at Supay Beach, La Catedral, Red Beach and La Mina Beach. The guide narrates in English or Spanish throughout. Life jacket and transport are included. The day runs about seven hours with a midday break at the office.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Ballestas Islands2h
2. Paracas National Reserve4h

Ballestas Islands and Paracas Reserve

• Meet at Xplorer Peru office
• Transfer to El Muelle pier
• Boat tour to Ballestas Islands
• See El Candelabra and glove island
• Observe sea lions and Humboldt penguins
• View rock formations: Profile of Christ and Main Arch
• Return from boat tour
• Transfer to Paracas National Reserve
• Tour Supay Beach and The Cathedral
• Visit Red Beach and Playa La Mina
• Rest and lunch at Playa Lagunillas
• Return to El Chaco, Paracas

The experience

The tour starts at 7:45 a.m. with pickup at the Like Xplorer Peru office and a transfer to El Muelle pier. By 8 a.m. you're on the speedboat with a life jacket, heading toward Ballestas Islands. The guide points out El Candelabra first (a massive rock formation visible from the water), then navigates closer to the islands themselves. Sea lions haul out on the rocks, Humboldt penguins dive and surface, and several species of seabirds (guanay cormorants, boobies, terns) nest in the cliffs. The boat circles the Main Arch and the Profile of Christ formation. You get time to photograph and record video at each point. The boat returns around 10 a.m.

After a 45-minute break back at the office, the afternoon tour of Paracas National Reserve begins at 11 a.m. A tourist bus takes you across the peninsula, stopping at five main sites. Supay Beach shows the contrast between yellow cliffs and turquoise water against dark sand. La Catedral is a weathered dome-shaped rock that rises from the shore. Red Beach lives up to its name. The sand there is distinctly reddish, rare anywhere in the world. La Mina Beach has calm, clear water and works well for swimming or photos. Playa Lagunillas, the final stop, is where many travelers eat lunch at seaside restaurants before the return to El Chaco around 3 p.m.

What’s included

• Speedboat to Ballestas Islands with life jacket.
• tourist bus through Paracas National Reserve.
• stops at La Catedral, Supay Beach, Red Beach, La Mina Beach and Playa Lagunillas.
• guide in English or Spanish.
• transfer from the Like Xplorer Peru office to the pier and back.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (17 and older) · Child (1 to 16 years)

GroupPrivate

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 6.29

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Paracas Holiday

Is this one for you?You're joining a group tour, so expect shared transport and a set schedule. The fixed itinerary is what fits both the island boat ride and the reserve drive into one full day without rushing either one.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 16 years).

What wildlife will I see on the boat ride to Ballestas Islands?

Sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and seabirds including guanay cormorants, boobies and terns inhabit the islands and surrounding rocks. The guide points out each species and the rock formations where they nest.

Do I need to bring my own life jacket for the speedboat?

No. A life jacket is provided and fitted before you board at El Muelle pier.

Can I swim at any of the beaches in Paracas National Reserve?

La Mina Beach has calm, clear water and is ideal for swimming. Playa Lagunillas is also a good spot to rest, though the sea there has sea urchins present.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is not included, but Playa Lagunillas has seaside restaurants where you can eat during the afternoon portion of the tour.