Consultations
Ballestas Islands Tour from San Martin Port
Duration
3 / 4 hours
Destination
Paracas
Group Size
Up to 40 guests
Tour Type
Shore Tours
Tour Overview
If your cruise ship is calling at San Martin Port in Paracas, our Ballestas Islands Tour from San Martin Port offers an ideal way to experience one of Peru’s most remarkable natural attractions during your time ashore. Specially designed for cruise passengers, this carefully coordinated excursion combines direct port assistance, efficient transfers and a scenic boat journey to the Ballestas Islands, often known as the “Little Galápagos of Peru”. Along the way, admire the mysterious Paracas Candelabra, an enormous geoglyph carved into the desert hillside overlooking the bay, before continuing towards the islands, where you may observe South American sea lions, Humboldt penguins and large colonies of seabirds, including cormorants, pelicans and Peruvian boobies, all living in their natural environment. Surrounded by dramatic rock formations and rich marine life, the Ballestas Islands provide one of the most memorable wildlife experiences on Peru’s southern coast. Carefully planned around cruise schedules and limited time in port, this shore excursion allows you to enjoy the highlights of Paracas with confidence, comfort and our Return to Ship Guaranteed commitment.
Tour Highlights
- Cruise to the wildlife-rich Ballestas Islands
- See sea lions, Humboldt penguins and seabirds
- Admire the mysterious Paracas Candelabra
- Discover dramatic rock formations along the Pacific coast
- Enjoy a cruise-friendly excursion with Return to Ship Guaranteed
Tour Information
- Tour Type: Shore Excursion, Nature & Wildlife Experience
- Service Type: Shared Small-Group Shore Tour
- Departure Time: 9:00 am
- Starting From: San Martin Port, Pisco – coordinated meeting point for cruise passengers
- Finishing Point: San Martin Port – direct return arranged according to your ship’s schedule
- Tour Duration: Approximately 3.5 to 4 hours
- Recommended For: Cruise travellers, couples, families and nature lovers looking for a short but memorable wildlife experience
- Cruise Information: Carefully planned around your vessel’s port call, with direct port assistance, coordinated transfers and our Return to Ship Guaranteed commitment
Tour Itinerary
8:30 am – Meet Us Directly at San Martin Port
Your shore excursion begins directly at San Martin Port, where our team will be waiting for you within the authorised port area, just a short distance from your ship’s exit.
There is no need to arrange independent transport into Paracas. After meeting our representative, you will be assisted directly to your designated vehicle and prepared for departure.
9:00 am – Departure from San Martin Port to Paracas
Depart San Martin Port aboard our comfortable tourist vehicle and travel towards the Paracas Tourist Marina, approximately 20–25 minutes away.
The journey is carefully coordinated around your cruise schedule, allowing sufficient time for the excursion and your return to the ship.
Arrival at Paracas Marina – Coordinated Priority Boarding
Upon arrival at the marina, there will be a short opportunity to use the toilet facilities while our team completes the final boarding arrangements.
Your boat spaces and entrance arrangements are organised in advance, allowing for a coordinated priority boarding process without the need to queue at the general ticket counters.
Once the group is ready, board the vessel and begin your journey across Paracas Bay.
Ballestas Islands Boat Tour – Approximately 1 Hour 50 Minutes
Your boat excursion begins with a view of the mysterious Paracas Candelabra, an enormous geoglyph carved into the desert hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Continue towards the Ballestas Islands, one of Peru’s most important marine wildlife areas.
As you navigate around the islands and their dramatic rock formations, look out for South American sea lions, Humboldt penguins and numerous species of seabirds, including cormorants, pelicans and Peruvian boobies.
Your guide will provide information about the wildlife, geology and natural environment while you enjoy close views of the islands from the boat.
All wildlife is observed in its natural habitat, so the species, numbers and proximity of animals may vary depending on the season and natural conditions.
Return to Paracas Marina
After approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes on the water, return to the Paracas Tourist Marina and disembark.
Free Time in Paracas – Approximately 1 Hour
After the Ballestas Islands excursion, enjoy approximately 1 hour of free time in Paracas to explore the waterfront area at your own pace.
You may take a walk through the town, browse local handicraft and souvenir shops, enjoy a coffee or refreshment, or have something to eat at one of the restaurants and cafés located around Paracas Bay.
This free time gives you the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of Paracas before returning to your cruise ship.
At the agreed meeting time, regroup with our team and board the vehicle for the return journey.
Direct Return to San Martin Port
Depart Paracas aboard our tourist vehicle for the direct journey back to San Martin Port.
The return is carefully planned according to your vessel’s official schedule, with an appropriate safety margin before all-aboard time.
Return to Ship Guaranteed
You will be returned directly to San Martin Port with sufficient time to rejoin your cruise ship.
This well-organised shore excursion combines the Ballestas Islands, Paracas Candelabra, marine wildlife and free time in Paracas, while giving you the reassurance of our Return to Ship Guaranteed commitment.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- Direct meeting and assistance at San Martin Port
- Round-trip transport between San Martin Port and Paracas
- Comfortable tourist vehicle
- Professional English- and Spanish-speaking guide
- Ballestas Islands boat tour
- Coordinated priority boarding at Paracas Tourist Marina
- Visit to the Paracas Candelabra
- Entrance fees and applicable tourist taxes for the Ballestas Islands
- Approximately 1 hour of free time in Paracas
- Local assistance and operational coordination throughout the excursion
- Direct return to San Martin Port
- Return to Ship Guaranteed
Not Included
- Meals and additional drinks
- Personal expenses and shopping during free time in Paracas
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities for guides, drivers and boat crew
- Any additional activities or services not specified in the itinerary
Port & Meeting Information
All our shore excursions from San Martin Port include direct port pick-up and return, so you do not need to arrange independent transport into Paracas.
Our team will meet you at the designated meeting point within the authorised port area, conveniently located just a short distance from your ship’s exit. From there, you will be assisted directly to your tour vehicle.
Pick-up Time
The departure time shown in the itinerary is a reference time. For cruise passengers, the actual meeting and departure time is adjusted according to your ship’s scheduled arrival at San Martin Port.
For example:
- If your ship arrives at 6:00 am, the meeting time will normally be around 7:40 am
- If your ship arrives at 7:00 am, the meeting time will normally be around 8:30 am
- If your ship arrives at 9:00 am, the meeting time will normally be around 10:00 am
Your final meeting time will be confirmed according to your vessel’s official port schedule, allowing sufficient time for disembarkation before the excursion begins.
Distance to Paracas
From San Martin Port, the journey to the Paracas Tourist Marina takes approximately 20–25 minutes by road.
Once in Paracas, our team will coordinate your arrival at the marina and boarding arrangements before the Ballestas Islands boat excursion.
Return to San Martin Port
After the Ballestas Islands tour and approximately 1 hour of free time in Paracas, regroup with our team and board the vehicle for the direct return to San Martin Port.
The return time is carefully coordinated according to your ship’s official all-aboard and departure time.
If your vessel changes its schedule or needs to depart earlier than originally planned, we may adjust the timing or free-time portion of the excursion to maintain an appropriate return margin.
Return to Ship Guaranteed
This tour is specifically designed for cruise passengers. From the initial meeting at San Martin Port to your final drop-off, the entire programme is coordinated around your vessel’s schedule.
Our Return to Ship Guaranteed commitment means that returning you to the port with sufficient time before your ship’s departure remains our priority throughout the excursion.
Important Information
- Sea & Weather Conditions: The Ballestas Islands boat excursion is subject to suitable sea and weather conditions, as well as authorisation from the local maritime authorities. Strong winds, high swell or unsafe sea conditions may result in a delayed departure, modified route or suspension of the maritime portion of the tour.
- Alternative Maritime Route: If navigation to the Ballestas Islands is restricted but conditions still allow safe boating within Paracas Bay, an alternative excursion towards the Paracas Candelabra and Islas Blancas may be offered. Passenger safety will always take priority.
- Wildlife Sightings: The Ballestas Islands are a protected natural environment. Sea lions, Humboldt penguins and numerous seabirds are commonly observed; however, the presence, number and proximity of individual species cannot be guaranteed as they depend on season, migration and natural conditions.
- Communication Before the Tour: Please provide a valid mobile number with WhatsApp enabled when booking and keep your phone available on the day of the excursion. This is especially important for cruise passengers, as meeting times or operational instructions may change according to your ship’s actual arrival or departure schedule.
- Motion Sickness: The boat journey takes place on open water and sea movement can occasionally be noticeable. Guests who are sensitive to motion sickness are advised to take their usual preventive medication before boarding, following the instructions of their doctor or pharmacist.
- Clothing & Sun Protection: Paracas can be sunny and windy, while temperatures on the water may feel cooler than on land. We recommend bringing a light jacket or windbreaker, sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Boat Boarding: Boarding requires stepping from the marina onto the boat. Guests with reduced mobility should inform us in advance so we can assess the appropriate assistance and confirm whether the maritime portion is suitable.
- Free Time in Paracas: After the boat excursion, you will have approximately 1 hour of free time to explore the waterfront, shop, enjoy refreshments or have something to eat. Please return to the agreed meeting point at the confirmed time so the group can depart for San Martin Port without delay.
- What to Bring: We recommend carrying your cruise card, identification, personal medication, sun protection and a small amount of local currency or a bank card for optional purchases during your free time.
- Port & Ship Schedule Changes: Cruise schedules may change at short notice. If your vessel arrives late, departs earlier or modifies its port call, the timing of the excursion or the free-time period may be adjusted to protect the required return-to-ship margin.
- Tour Timing: The itinerary may be modified slightly due to port procedures, weather, maritime restrictions, traffic or operational requirements. Any adjustment will be made to preserve the main experience while ensuring a safe and timely return to San Martin Port.
Cancellation Policy
- Free Cancellation: Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the confirmed tour start time are eligible for a full refund.
- Cancellations Within 24 Hours: Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are non-refundable, as transport, boat spaces, entrance tickets and operational services will already have been arranged.
- No-Show: Guests who do not arrive at the confirmed meeting point at the agreed time, without prior communication, will be considered a no-show and will not be eligible for a refund.
- Ship Unable to Call at San Martin Port: If your cruise ship is unable to dock or make its scheduled call at San Martin Port due to adverse weather, sea conditions, port closure, natural disasters, political circumstances or other events beyond your control, you will receive a full refund of your tour payment.
- Ship Schedule Changes: If your vessel arrives later than expected or changes its departure time, please remain in contact with us. Whenever operationally possible, we will adjust the tour schedule so that you can still enjoy the Ballestas Islands experience while maintaining sufficient time for your return to the ship.
- Communication Is Essential: Please provide a valid WhatsApp number when booking and keep your phone available on the day of the excursion. This allows our operations team to communicate any last-minute changes to meeting times, port procedures or the tour schedule.
- Operational Adjustments: JD Adventure Travel reserves the right to modify the departure time, free-time period, order of activities or overall timing when required by port operations, maritime conditions, traffic, weather or changes to the ship’s schedule. Any adjustment will prioritise passenger safety and a timely return to port.
- Weather or Maritime Restrictions: If the Ballestas Islands boat excursion cannot operate safely, an alternative maritime route towards the Paracas Candelabra and Islas Blancas may be offered where conditions permit. If no maritime service can operate, the corresponding affected service will be refunded.
- Cruise Booking Protection: This shore excursion is specifically organised for cruise passengers. Your booking is protected by our cruise-specific cancellation conditions and our Return to Ship Guaranteed commitment, with the entire programme carefully coordinated around your vessel’s official schedule.
Ready to Book?
Need Help Planning?
Our local team is here to help with availability, private arrangements and special requests.
More Shore Excursions
Discover more port experiences carefully planned around your cruise itinerary.
View Tour →
View Tour →
View Tour →
