The Ballestas Islands: a wildlife encounter at sea.
Just outside the sheltered waters of Paracas Bay, the unassuming rocky islets of the Ballestas Islands offer some of the richest wildlife encounters on Peru’s coast.
What We Seek to Avoid
Every year, hundreds of thousands of foreign and Peruvian travelers experience the Ballestas Islands. Inexpensive boat tours from the public pier are readily available, but the experience is often less than ideal. Long waits under the hot sun, dense crowds boarding chaotically, and persistent vendors hawking hats and sunglasses are common. We offer three alternatives:
This is the classic shared departure for travelers who want the essential Ballestas experience in one well-paced morning excursion. You board from a private pier in Paracas, pause beneath the Candelabro - the enormous geoglyph carved into the dune above the bay - then continue around the islands for sea lions, Humboldt penguins and guano birds.
It is the most direct way to see the wildlife without turning the morning into a production. We recommend it for travelers who want a polished shared excursion with easy pier-side logistics.
Private premium boats make the wildlife feel less rushed, with more room for timing, comfort and the mood of the sea.
For travelers who value privacy without stepping into yacht territory, the premium motorboat is the sweet spot. You depart from a private pier in Paracas aboard a more comfortable vessel designed for bay exploration and a fuller Ballestas ride.
The boat includes ten seats, a sun deck at the bow, an indoor relax area, restroom, removable awning and a trained captain in constant radio communication. It gives families and small groups more space, flexibility and control over the rhythm of the morning.
The yacht changes the tone entirely: the same protected islands, but with privacy, drinks, seafood bites and a slower sense of occasion.
The private yacht is the most comfortable and exclusive way to visit the Candelabro geoglyph and the Ballestas Islands. The essential wildlife encounter unfolds at a gentler pace, with greater privacy, more space, and the desert cliffs and island life passing by in comfort.
The vessel is a Sea Ray 52 Sedan Bridge, 52 feet long, with a chef and bartender aboard. Guests enjoy a welcome drink, wine, beer, soft drinks and light seafood dishes, all included.
Wildlife on the Water
The islands are not scenery. They are alive.
The Ballestas Islands sit in one of the richest marine corridors on the Peruvian coast, where cold Pacific currents feed a dense world of birds, sea lions and sudden movement.
The whole system depends on a fragile biological pyramid. An abundance of microscopic plankton sustains vast shoals of anchoveta (tiny anchovies), which are devoured by Humboldt penguins, cormorants, pelicans, boobies and sea lions.
A private two-hour premium motorboat excursion to Atenas Beach. Learn how local scallops are collected, then enjoy a fresh scallop tasting on board.
Champagne Bites
A two-hour yacht cruise around Paracas Bay toward the Candelabro, focused on scenery, sparkling wine, seafood bites and an easy social atmosphere rather than a full Ballestas landing route.
Private Yacht Full Day
A six-hour yacht journey around Paracas, usually including the Candelabro, Ballestas Islands, Blanca Island and Paracas Bay, with drinks, seafood-based bites, chef and bartender service.
The yacht and Candelabro together: the most elegant expression of Paracas by water, with desert, geoglyph and Pacific held in one frame.
Privately Arranged
There are several excellent ways to see the Ballestas Islands. We help you choose one that is perfect for your family or group.
