Peru · BALLESTAS ISLANDS & PARACAS
Sea lions, Humboldt penguins and a great deal of guano, reached by a fast boat that does not land. These 15 compare the morning sailings from Paracas with the long day trips from Lima, priced, with the reserve add-on flagged.
Leave Lima early for a full day in Paracas and Huacachina. You’ll cruise to the Ballestas Islands for sea lions and penguins, taste pisco at a vineyard, then ride a dune buggy and sandboard near the oasis. Guides such as Franklin, Aymeth, Fio, and Diego are praised for clear English, good organization, and helpful Peru tips.
“Everything went as expected, very happy with my trip :)”
Leave Lima around 5 a.m. for a small-group day covering the Ballestas Islands, a pisco and wine tasting at Taqara 1856, and Huacachina’s oasis and dunes. You’ll ride a boat, see sea lions and Humboldt penguins, eat lunch at your own cost, then take a dune buggy and try beginner sandboarding. Expect a very long return ride.
“It was a great experience. Huacachina and Paracas were incredible. The Tourism Guide was really nice and respectful. Paracas and Huacachina are amazing. The buggies in the dunes was incredible. However, the buggies and sunboard activities were less than the time planned (1 hour instead of 2) and I had to wait 25 minutes the buggy to start”
Leave Lima before sunrise for the Ballestas Islands, where you’ll see sea lions, Humboldt penguins, seabirds, and El Candelabro. After lunch and a pisco tasting in Ica, ride dune buggies and sandboard at Huacachina. English and Spanish guides, transport, and admission tickets are included.
“The trip was exactly as planned and described. Our guide Alvaro was fantastic. He gave us great historical facts, funny stories and answered all questions wonderfully. Although a long day, no time felt like it was wasted. All our stops and planned activities were perfect and we had a great time. We highly recommend this trip.”
Join a five-hour bilingual tour from Paracas to the Ballestas Islands and Paracas National Reserve. You’ll see the Candelabro, sea lions, penguins, pelicans, and blue-footed boobies, then visit Playa Roja and Lagunillas Beach. Guides such as Olenka and Pablo are praised for clear explanations and flexible pacing.
“The tour to the Islas Ballestas was a little bit chaotic, especially the way to the boat. The guide definitely did his best to entertain us all. After a break we had private visit to the National Reserve. Our guide knew a lot about the history and the places we visited. I loved the second part of the tour the most.”
Travel from Lima to Paracas and Huacachina in one packed day. You’ll take a boat toward the Ballestas Islands, spot sea lions, penguins, and guano birds, sample Ica pisco and wine, then ride dune buggies and sandboard at Huacachina. English and Spanish guides may include Celeste, Chris, Javier, or another assigned guide.
“Fantastic excursion with Spanish and English speaking guide, Javier. He was very knowledgeable about the locations and very helpful with questions. Very fun excursion!”
Leave Lima before sunrise for a full day in Paracas and Huacachina. You’ll cruise to the Ballestas Islands for sea lions and penguins, visit Nieto winery for lunch and pisco tasting, then ride a dune buggy and sandboard. Guides such as Gaby, Jose, Zeta, and Davi have helped English-speaking groups, though the guide varies.
“The trip was a good mix of activities. The coach was really nice, had air con and guide provided snacks. Only downside was that on our way back when lights were turned off the air con turned off and at 25 degrees C still it was hard to sleep whilst being extremely hot! Chose this trip as it was half the price of Peru hop and didn’t seem to be much difference when looking at reviews. Primarily in Spanish but the guide spoke good English and translated. Really good trip if you have limited time in Lima. Highlight was the pisco tasting, the restaurant was nice and food good with…”
From Muelle El Chaco, you’ll ride a covered speedboat to El Candelabro and the Ballestas Islands. English and Spanish guides explain the geoglyph, rock formations, penguins, sea lions, and seabirds. Daphne and Mario are among the guides praised for spotting wildlife and helping passengers follow the action.
“Pros: - detailed visit around the Ballestas Islands - amazing nature and wildlife Cons: - it started with a 25 mins delay without communication”
Leave Lima around 4:00 to 5:00 am for Paracas, where a speedboat brings you near sea lions, Humboldt penguins, seabirds, and the Chandelier Lines. Continue to CulturPisco for pisco and wine tastings, then finish at Huacachina with a dune buggy ride and sandboarding. Guides such as Miguel Angel and Mayer are known for keeping this long day organized.
“This trip is phenomenal. You start with cold Pacific weather as you go dolphins, sea lions and penguin watching. Then the weather changes completely in a matter of minutes as we head into the Ica desert and the Huacachina Oasis is super pretty. There were lot of alcohol options to taste at the CulturPisco vineyard. Definitely recommend this tour.”
Start with a morning boat cruise past the Candelabro geoglyph and around the Ballestas Islands, where you can see sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and seabirds. After free time in El Chaco, ride into Paracas National Reserve for La Catedral, Playa Roja, flamingo views, and a swim at Lagunillas Beach. English and Spanish guides are available.
“El tour se divide en 2 partes: primero fuimos en speedboat a las Islas Ballestas, donde vimos pingüinos y lobos marinos y El Candelabro. Tras volver a Paracas, nos recogieron para la segunda parte a la Reserva Natural de Paracas, donde hicimos paradas en varios spots para ver el paisaje. En la penúltima parada había opción de bañarse en el mar y en la última podías comer en un restaurante frente al mar. El tiempo para la parada de la comida fue muy limitado, debería ser algo más de tiempo. Andrea, la chica de la agencia fue muy amable con nosotros en todo momento, gracias!”
From Paracas, you’ll cruise to the Candelabro geoglyph and Ballestas Islands with an English or Spanish guide. Expect a two-hour boat trip, Humboldt penguins, sea lions, seabirds, dramatic rock formations, prepaid dock fees, hotel or bus-station transfer, and luggage storage. Guide Lucio has earned special praise for his clear English and enthusiasm.
“It was incredible. Everything worked perfectly well and Lucio, our guide, was amazing! He is clearly passionate about his job and loves the Island. His English is also very good!”
Travel from your Lima hotel to Callao, then cruise past San Lorenzo and nearby islands before swimming near wild sea lions. Wetsuits, life jackets, snacks, drinks, guides, and emergency equipment are included. Guides such as Diego and Rodrigo help with wildlife viewing and water entry, while private transfers simplify the morning.
“The pickup service was great, on time in a good car and good driver. Diego, our guide, is very expert and taught us a lot of information about peruvian history, island information and about the animals that live there. Swimming with sea lions was amazing! Diego was super well prepared and gave all the support, it was an amazing experience. As an advice, I suggest the company to offer some photo or video services to capture these moments, I'd sure acquire to remember that :)”
Sail from Callao past El Camotal and San Lorenzo Island to Palomino Island, where you can swim near a huge sea lion colony in a neoprene suit. Guides such as Ricardo, Rodrigo, Alex, and Julio have helped make the trip friendly and safe. Expect penguins, seabirds, a snack, and cold Pacific water.
“The activity was fantastic. You should know you are not guaranteed to touch a Sea Lion. It is possible, but I was the only one in my group who got to touch one. You can also bring your phones into the water but you will need a waterproof sleeve for your phone. They sold me one for before I went on the boat and it was worth it. Also, you change into and out of the wet suit on the boat, I would recommend wearing what you plan to wear under your wet suit when you arrive as you will not have privacy to change.”
This 19.5-hour Lima day trip combines a Ballestas Islands boat ride, a flight over the Nazca Lines, and time at Huacachina Oasis. Guides such as Miguel, Aymen, Sergio, and Christian have led recent departures. Expect hotel pickup, a long but comfortable drive, changing flight times, and optional sandboarding at extra cost.
“Ceaser our guide was very good,perfect English and informative to our questions about culture,education etc.the sights were interesting.enjoyed the wild life lots of sea birds,sea lions etc up close that surprised us how active they all were. Nazca flight very good saw all the lines. Plane was agile and as result some were queezy or sick thou. Saw everything as promised. Expensive but you can appreciate a private car,guide,flight involved etc it does depend on what interests you.if old buildings and markets are your thing you won't like it. no time for shopping and not much stopping for photos on the way as time is always on the table- just…”
Leave Lima at 5 a.m. for a full day in Paracas and Huacachina. You’ll cruise around the Ballestas Islands for penguins, sea lions, birds, and the Candelabra, stop for lunch and pisco tasting at Pisco Nietto, then ride a dune buggy and try sandboarding. Guides may include Diana, Mar, Scott, or Renzo.
“The trip was a lot of fun. Everyone was very knowledgeable. Sand boarding was the highlight of the trip”
This 17-hour trip links Peru’s Pacific wildlife with the Ica Desert. You’ll take a boat to the Ballestas Islands, taste pisco, ride a dune buggy, try beginner sandboarding, and watch sunset at Huacachina. Guides such as Oswaldo and David are known for lively explanations and careful coordination. Hotel pickup is available only in San Isidro, Miraflores, and Barranco.
“Wonderful experience. Great value for the money. would do it over and over again. Best tour ever!”
Pick a ruin, a ridge, a river or a table.
