Explore the Spectacular Ballestas Islands and Wildlife of Paracas, Peru

Paracas is one of the most beautiful, picturesque and unique destinations in Peru. Situated on the Pacific Coast of Peru, it’s known for its large marine wildlife, golden sand beaches and breathtaking scenery. From lima, the capital of Peru, it’s a perfect spot to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city life.

Whether you’re a beach lover, nature enthusiast, or a wildlife photographer, the stunningly beautiful Ballestas Islands are not to be missed when visiting Paracas. The islands are located about 5 miles off the Paracas coast and are home to more than 150 species of fish, hundreds of birds, caves, and a variety of seabirds like pelicans and Humboldt penguins that can easily be spotted all over the place.

As it’s a protected landscape and national reserve, the only way to explore the Ballestas Islands is by taking a boat tour. A Ballestas Islands tour departs from Paracas around 8 am and takes about 3 hours to complete its round trip, usually departing on a private motorized boat. On this tour, you will explore the islands, spot some sea lions while listening to the guide’s commentary, and enjoy majestic views.

Why You Should Go on a Scenic Boat Tour to Ballestas Island in Paracas?

A boat tour in Paracas to the Ballestas Islands is an exciting and unique experience for every traveler. The unique landscape of these islands combined with the abundance of marine wildlife make it one of the most breathtaking places in Peru. There are a few reasons why you should go on a scenic boat tour to Ballestas Islands in Paracas:

• Spot Sea Mammals: Ballestas Island is one of the best places to spot sea lions in Peru. You can see them while they are swimming or resting on the rocks. Also, sea lions aren’t the only mammals you can spot there – you can also see dolphins, whales, and sea birds like pelicans.
• Breathtaking Views: You won’t find many places in Peru that have the good combo of wildlife and view than Ballestas Islands. It has some amazing views with rocks stretching out in all directions and different types of marine life.
• Visit the Rock Formation: One of the most iconic spots in Ballestas Island is the Candelabro. Candelabro is an ancient geoglyph carved on the hillside, which looks like a candelabra from far away. It’s one of the most photographed spots in Peru.
• Protected Moisture Area: Ballestas Islands is part of National Reserve of Paracas located inside a protected moisture area and it’s strictly forbidden to go ashore from boats.

Recommended Tour for a Boat Trip to Ballestas Islands

If you’re looking for an unforgettable trip to explore the wildlife and scenic beauty of Ballestas Islands, then you should check out Get Your Guide’s “From Paracas: Scenic Boat Tour to Ballestas Island”. This 3-hour tour will give you an insight into the wildlife and nature of this area and includes a pickup from your hotel in Paracas before heading off for a journey across the beautiful landscape and spotting wildlife.

The tour takes off early in the morning at 8am so you have the best chance of spotting wildlife in their natural habitat. The guide will conveniently transfer you from your hotel in Paracas to the bay where you will embark your boat and start your journey. Your guide will provide an informative narrative about the various sights as you explore this incredible area. You’ll also have plenty of opportunity to take photos and snap some gorgeous pictures.

On this tour, you will explore some different sites like ‘Candelabro’, a giant Candelabra-shaped geoglyph made into a sloping hill on the sea floor, ‘La Catedral’, a large natural arch carved by powerful waves with impressive views of nearby islands, ‘Playa Redonda’ and ‘El Chaco’, two amazing spots with colorful lagoons nearby where you may even spot some local wildlife such as birds, sea lions and dolphins.

Conclusion

The Ballestas Islands are one of Peru’s must-see attractions for any traveler visiting Paracas. There are plenty of things to explore from its incredible coastline, caves, bushland and easy access from Lima. Whether you’re a beach lover, nature enthusiast or wildlife photographer, a scenic boat tour to Ballestas Island won’t let you down. So don’t miss this wonderful opportunity and plan a boat trip to explore some incredible nature beauties of this area.

Book your From Paracas: Scenic Boat Tour to Ballestas Island today!