BALLESTAS ISLANDS
Discover the Enchanting Ballestas Islands – A Wildlife Tour Like No Other
Embark on an unforgettable Ballestas Islands tour from Paracas, Peru, and explore the rich marine biodiversity that makes this destination a must-see for nature lovers and adventure seekers. This exciting Ballestas Islands boat tour takes you across the Pacific Ocean to witness a spectacular array of wildlife, including sea lions, Humboldt penguins, pelicans, dolphins, and even seasonal whales, all thriving in their natural habitat. Often referred to as the “Peruvian Galápagos,” the Ballestas Islands are home to breathtaking coastal landscapes and the mysterious Candelabra geoglyph etched into the cliffs. Perfect for birdwatching, photography, and eco-tourism enthusiasts, this guided tour guarantees stunning views and a truly immersive experience. Book your Ballestas Islands tour today and discover why this half-day marine adventure is one of the top things to do in Paracas and a hidden gem of the Peruvian coast.
Top Highlights
- See sea lions, penguins, and seabirds in their natural Pacific Ocean habitat.
- Enjoy a scenic boat ride from Paracas to the stunning Ballestas Islands.
- Witness the mysterious Candelabra geoglyph carved into the desert cliff.
- Perfect for birdwatching, photography, and nature enthusiasts.
- Short and easy 2-hour tour ideal for families and all ages.
Tour Level: Easy.
Service Type: Group Tour.
Departure: 08:00 am | 09:00 am | 10:00 am
Duration: 2 hours
Tour Type: Nature & Wildlife – Boat Tour.
Begin your unforgettable Ballestas Islands tour with a prompt meeting at our main office in Paracas, the departure point for this must-do marine adventure along the Peruvian coast. After check-in, you’ll board a modern speedboat and cruise across the calm waters of the Pacific Ocean toward the iconic Ballestas Islands, often referred to as the “Peruvian Galápagos” due to their remarkable biodiversity. During this 2-hour boat tour, you’ll encounter sea lions lounging on the rocks, playful Humboldt penguins waddling along the shore, and large colonies of seabirds including pelicans, boobies, and cormorants. One of the first highlights is a stop to observe the mysterious Candelabra geoglyph — a massive, ancient figure etched into the cliffside, visible only from the sea. As you approach the Ballestas Islands, be prepared for breathtaking views of unique rock formations, sea caves, and vibrant wildlife, all in their natural habitat. This eco-friendly tour is ideal for nature lovers, birdwatchers, and photographers seeking the best things to do in Paracas. With departures in the early morning to take advantage of calm seas and active wildlife, this Ballestas Islands boat tour is one of the top-rated attractions in Paracas and an essential addition to your Peru itinerary.
Book now for an eco-tourism experience you won’t forget!
Included:
- Speedboat tour to the Ballestas Islands from Paracas.
- Life jackets and safety equipment.
- Professional bilingual tour guide (English/Spanish).
- Guided sightseeing of the Candelabra geoglyph and wildlife.
Not Included:
- Entrance fee to the Ballestas Islands: 16 soles or $5 USD (cash only).
- Personal expenses.
- Hotel pick-up or drop-off.
- Food and beverages.
Note:
The Ballestas Islands entrance fee is not included in the tour price and must be paid in cash (in Peruvian soles or US dollars) directly at the port before departure.
✅ Allowed:
- Photography and video (non-professional equipment).
- Binoculars for birdwatching.
- Personal backpacks or small bags.
- Hats and sunglasses.
Water in personal bottles.
❌ Not Allowed:
- Drones (prohibited by local authorities).
Littering or feeding wildlife. - Smoking during the tour.
- Large luggage or suitcases.
- Loud music or disruptive behaviour.
🎒 What to Bring:
- Original passport or ID (required at port).
Light jacket or windbreaker (it can be windy). - Sunscreen and sunglasses.
- Comfortable shoes (you won’t disembark but comfort matters).
Camera or smartphone for photos. - Cash in soles or US dollars for entrance fee.
- A small bottle of water.
Please note that the meeting point for the Ballestas Islands tour is at our main office in Paracas, and all passengers must arrive at least 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time to complete the check-in process and receive safety instructions. It is essential to provide a valid phone number with WhatsApp access at the time of booking, as we may need to contact you for updates or last-minute changes related to the tour.
⚠️ This tour is not suitable for cruise ship passengers arriving at San Martín Port, due to timing restrictions and distance from Paracas.
Please be aware that this tour is highly weather-dependent and may be modified, delayed, or cancelled without prior notice for safety reasons, in accordance with maritime conditions and port authority guidelines.
As the Ballestas Islands are a protected natural reserve, wildlife sightings are common but cannot be guaranteed, as the presence of sea lions, penguins, dolphins, and birds depends on seasonal and environmental factors.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation to ensure a safe and respectful experience in one of Peru’s most biodiverse coastal areas.
Your tour is confirmed immediately upon booking, and you will receive an official confirmation by email or WhatsApp. We accept all major credit and debit cards and offer secure online payment options for your convenience.
You may cancel or reschedule your tour up to 24 hours before the scheduled departure time at no additional cost. If you fail to show up on the day of the tour (No Show), no refunds or rescheduling will be offered.
In the event that the tour must be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions or by decision of the port authorities, we will offer you the following three alternatives:
Postpone your tour to the next available departure.
Join an alternative tour of equal value.
Receive a full refund of your payment.
We are committed to providing flexibility and transparency, ensuring your experience in Paracas is enjoyable, safe, and fair under all circumstances.
Why Book This Tour
Why Book With Us?
To see more Tours in Paracas
To see more Tours in Peru
What Our Customers Say
Our clients consistently praise our tours for their professionalism, punctuality, and exceptional service. Many highlight the knowledgeable bilingual guides, the comfort and safety of our boats, and the unforgettable wildlife sightings. With thousands of positive reviews, travellers recommend us as the top choice for Paracas tours, ensuring a memorable and hassle-free experience every time.
Trevor Berceau2025-06-27Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We did the half day tour, starting with a boat tour of the islas ballestas, and then going on a driving tour through the reserve. The whole tour was excellent. The boat tour was good and we saw many types of birds, penguins, sea lions, and dolphins. the driving tour through the desert far exceeded expectations. Olenka was an amazing guide, she did a great job explaining things at every point along the way, adapted the tour to our interests, and was great at engaging our whole family. She had excellent English and a lot of knowledge about the area, both geography and history. I highly recommend this trip. Hugo Desjardins2025-06-21Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent service de José, réponds très rapidement et nous avons passé une très belle excursion sans imprévus. Michelle Castaneda2025-06-20Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. JD Travel did an amazing job coordinating this Nazca flight/transfers. Jose went above and beyond to make sure we could participate in this activity. It did not disappoint! The flight time was moved by the airline and Jose made every effort to help us with this change. I could not recommend this activity or JD Travel more. Jose is the best! Martin Kollmann2025-06-19Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It was an outstanding experience organized by a skilled local entrepreneur and his team. Thank you, Jose for the hospitality! Delia Spiegl2025-06-13Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 100 % recommendation friendly tour guide, everything well organised Felix2025-06-08Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very helpful & friendly! Helped us organize direct transport from Paracas to Huacachina. Highly recommend JD 🙏🏽 Edwin Cannon2025-05-29Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Archeological dig sites at Huaca del Sol and Luna (moon) Chan Chan were fascinating. It's amazing that these painted petroglyphs have been buried for centuries. They appeared like they were just carved. Chan Chan stone carvings as well. I particularly was fascinated by the Luna Pool (moon pool) where worship was conducted towards the Moon God and often times involved human sacrifice. Your tour was the only tour to conclude at the Peru surf capital Playa de Huanchaco (Huanchaco beach). The Sombrero restaurant was fabulous drinking juice carafes, eating shrimp and watching surfing. What a wonderful day. T J2025-05-28Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very good tour guides and tour. The owner is very helpful and I had a nice chat with him. Highly recommended! Spoorti Shivamurthy2025-05-25Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Jose and his team were fantastic. All the guides were knowledgeable, especially Augustino in Machupicchu. Jose takes personal attention to all the activities and our experience. Extremely clean vehicles for all transfers. Highly recommend his company for your Peru trip.
Michelle C2025-06-20Verified Fantastic Tour Provider JD Travel did an amazing job coordinating this Nazca flight/transfers. Jose went above and beyond to make sure we could participate in this activity. It did not disappoint! The flight time was moved by the airline and Jose made every effort to help us with this change. I could not recommend this activity or JD Travel more. Jose is the best! gabrielBZ2025-03-24Verified Precise islands full of pelagic birds and some, unique. Beautiful and essential visit to the Ballestas Islands, you sail 1/2 hour in a speedboat. First you visit the coastal area and see the spectacular “Candelabra” figure made on the ground of the pre-Inca era. Then you're headed to the islands. My interest was to see birds. And my interest was filled. I wanted to see the spectacular Inca terns. The boat handling is fabulous. You are in the Pacific and you have to know how to drive very well because they come very close to the islands. The seascape or rock formations are also unique and spectacular. It's a lovely ride. And absolutely recommended. Yris yaneth M2025-03-10Verified Nice experiences We were given a tour of the skies through the Nazca Lines this is a very important site of interest in Peru is company IZI organizes very well transfers to the airport and flights to see them independently this is a challenge that thrills the view from above the sky enjoying its beautiful landscapes the condor, hands, spider and tree among othersHERBERT SOLORZANO Linda B2025-01-04Verified Don’t miss this! Trip was fantastic and we had logistics issues on our end and they found a way to make the trip happen despite that! Wonderful customer service and the natural beauty of the islands was stunning! fossil12024-12-15Verified Outstanding trip, great value and excellent service Booked the tour about a month before the cruise and the trip could not go any more smoothly. Price was outstanding and was about $200 less per person than the same tour offeered by Princess. Jose and his staff were at the pier as promised and took us for a short drive to the boat in Paracas for the tour bypassing several other groups that were waiting for their boat. His staff was excellent inculding our guide Olinka (sp?) who knew her stuff and was easy to understand. I must confess some apprehension as Princess warned us that independent operators could not enter the port area (false) though they alerted us to the same situation in Lima (Callao). He and his staff met us at the gangway in Paracas as promised. We did not see any independnet operators in Lima. Jose and his saff ushered through the entire boarding process and did the same when our boat returned.The boat carrying approximately 40 people was in great condition and the cpatain did a wonderful job showing us the wildlife and guano fields. He made certain that both sides of the boat had ample opportunity to see the wildlife and take pictures. We had a brilliant sunny day and the canopy on the boat shielded us from the sun.Highly recommended as Jose was responsive to several emails with detailed explanations. At the conclusion of the tours my wife decided to return back to the ship with their return transfer whike I stayed in gthe small town for lunch and shopping. His restaurant recommendation as spot on as well--Muna.My only recommendation to the tour operator is that they encourage people to provide voluntary tips to both the guide and the boat captain. I was surprised that very few people and I mean very few people gave tips.The trip was outstanding and I highly recommend the company--job very well done. If I return, I would book them again for other trips without any hesitation.For those arriving by ship, book them! djackley2024-11-29Verified Paracas and Ballestas Islands A little rough to start off with as the company took us early to the wrong meet up location. 30 minutes later we joined the group. Boat trip was wonderful and the guide spoke in clear English as she described history, birds and sea life of the area and the islands. Great photos and wonderful day. Bring sunscreen and a hat! Linda F2024-11-05Verified This is a must do in Paracas This was definitely a tour that you should take while in Paracas. It was absolutely fantastic, first you sail to the candelabra to take pictures from the boat. They turn the boat so that each side can see it and take pictures. Then you go to Ballestas which was absolutely fantastic. We do recommend you bring a wind breaker since you will get wet.We highly recommend this tour Linda F2024-11-05Verified Great and exciting tour This tour was great, we had an excellent guide. It is a well organized tour with three short stops to take pictures. It is an amazing place to see and the dune buggy was a great way to see it. I highly recommend doing it, take the extended route.