The Ballestas Islands are a group of rocky islands located off the coast of Paracas, in the Ica department. Considered one of the most striking natural tourism destinations in the country, these islands offer a display of wildlife in its wild state, geological formations, and a protected environment within the Paracas National Reserve.
During the boat tour, visitors can observe the enigmatic geoglyph of the Candelabra, visible from the sea, as well as colonies of sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and a variety of seabirds such as boobies, pelicans, and cormorants. It is undoubtedly an ideal experience for nature lovers, photography enthusiasts, and those seeking a direct connection with the ocean and wildlife.
To visit the Ballestas Islands, you must first reach Paracas, located south of Lima. You can also take a bus with companies such as Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, or PerúBus, in a journey of approximately 3.5 to 4 hours. You can also drive there by private car along the Panamerican South Highway, taking the turnoff to Paracas.
Tour departures to the Ballestas Islands are daily from the El Chaco tourist dock in Paracas, typically in the morning when the sea is calmer. Prices vary depending on the service type and season: shared tours cost around S/ 40 to S/ 60 per person, while private tours by boat or yacht can exceed S/ 950 or $400 USD per group. These prices do not include the tourist taxes and the fee for using the dock.
Table of Contents
The Ballestas Islands, located off the coast of Paracas, are one of the most fascinating nature destinations in Peru. During the boat tour, visitors can observe a wide variety of marine wildlife and stunning landscapes.
One of the first visible attractions is The Candelabra, a huge geoglyph traced on the sand of a coastal hill. Its origin is still a mystery, but it is believed to be related to pre-Columbian cultures or maritime navigation.
As the boat approaches the islands, a large population of sea lions can be seen resting on the rocks or swimming around the boats. It is also common to spot Humboldt penguins, a vulnerable species that inhabits this area.
Seabirds are another natural spectacle: boobies, pelicans, cormorants, frigatebirds, and seagulls fill the sky and rocks. Additionally, the rock formations sculpted by wind and sea create arches, caves, and tunnels that make the landscape truly unique.
Although disembarking on the islands is not allowed as they are part of the Paracas National Reserve, the boat tour provides a close-up view of this natural wealth in its protected habitat.
To get to the Ballestas Islands, you first need to go to the city of Paracas, located in the Ica region, south of Lima. From Lima, you can reach Paracas by bus with companies like Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, or PerúBus, in a journey of approximately 3.5 to 4 hours. You can also drive there by private car along the Panamerican South Highway, taking the turnoff to Paracas.
Once in Paracas, tours to the Ballestas Islands depart from the El Chaco tourist dock. The tour is by boat and lasts approximately 2 hours, round trip. Departures are usually in the morning, between 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., as the sea conditions can be more unstable in the afternoon.
During the boat ride, a panoramic stop is made in front of the geoglyph known as The Candelabra, a figure carved in the sand of a coastal hill. The boat then continues to the Ballestas Islands, where a wide variety of marine wildlife, such as sea lions, Humboldt penguins, pelicans, and other seabirds, can be observed.
It is important to know that disembarking on the islands is not allowed since they are part of the Paracas National Reserve, but the tour offers an excellent view of their biodiversity and rock formations.
The prices for tours to the Ballestas Islands from Paracas vary depending on the service type and season.
Children under 5 years old can go for free, but children under 1 year old are not allowed for safety reasons.
Daily between 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., from the Paracas tourist dock. The tour lasts approximately 2 hours, including a stop to view the Candelabra geoglyph and the island tour.
If you're planning a visit to the Ballestas Islands, it's important to be prepared and bring the essentials:
