Paracas & Huacachina Day Trip: Islands, Sandboarding & Oasis

Summary

Ballestas Islands Wildlife Tour & Huacachina Desert Adventure

You’ll see wild sea lions and penguins up close at Ballestas Islands, then race dune buggies and try sandboarding in South America’s only natural desert oasis—Huacachina. This trip packs adventure, wildlife, and local flavor into one unforgettable day.

What’s the experience like?

It was still dark when we got picked up at our hostel in Lima—honestly, I barely remember getting into the van. The city was quiet for once. Four hours later, we rolled into Paracas just as the sun started warming up the coast. The salty air hit me first, and then I heard gulls squabbling over fish scraps near the pier. Our guide, Luis, handed out life jackets with a grin and pointed us toward the speedboat bobbing at the dock.

The Ballestas Islands boat ride felt like something out of a nature show. We zipped past rocky arches where sea lions lounged like they owned the place. Penguins waddled between boulders—tiny black-and-white dots against all that grey stone. Luis knew every bird by name and even spotted a few red-legged cormorants nesting above us. The wind whipped my hair around and I could taste salt on my lips by the time we headed back.

Next stop: Huacachina. It’s this wild little oasis surrounded by monster sand dunes—honestly, it looks fake until you’re standing there watching paddle boats drift across the water. We grabbed lunch at a café called “Desert Nights”—I went for lomo saltado and an icy maracuya juice because it was already roasting outside. Afterward came the real adrenaline rush: dune buggy rides that rattled my bones and made everyone laugh (and scream). Sandboarding down those steep hills? Way harder than it looks but so worth it for that rush when you finally get going.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Paracas and Huacachina Adventure

• Bus ride from Lima to Paracas
• Boat tour of Ballestas Islands
• Explore Huacachina oasis and lunch
• Dune buggy ride and sandboarding

Top questions

Is this Paracas and Huacachina tour suitable for kids?

The tour is fine for most ages but not recommended for pregnant women or people with mobility issues due to the bumpy dune buggy ride.

Do I need experience to try sandboarding?

Nope! Most people are beginners—the guides give tips so you can have fun even if it’s your first time.

What should I bring on this day trip?

Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, comfy clothes you don’t mind getting sandy, plus some cash for lunch or snacks in Huacachina.

What’s included

Your hotel pickup in Lima is covered, plus private transport all day long. The price includes your Ballestas Islands boat ticket, entry to the national reserve, dune buggy rides, sandboarding gear, air conditioning on the bus—and a bilingual guide who knows all the best local stories.