Things to do in Ballestas Islands at a glance
Things to do in Ballestas Islands start with a boat tour of about 2 hours from El Chaco in Paracas, past sea lions, Humboldt penguins, cormorants and pelicans on three rocky islands. Passengers stay aboard, because the islands are seen from the water. On land, the Paracas National Reserve adds desert cliffs and viewpoints, and Huacachina and the Nazca Lines make longer days.
The 12 ideas below run from the water to the mainland and on to the desert. Most of them lead to a fuller guide on this site.
On the water around the Ballestas Islands (1 to 4)
The Ballestas Islands are seen from a boat, so the first things to do all happen during the sailing from Paracas.
1. Take the boat tour from Paracas
The Ballestas Islands boat tour leaves from the pier at El Chaco in Paracas, or on some trips from La Marina Turística, and lasts about 2 hours. One operator offers a guide in Spanish and English. Wear the life jacket throughout and bring sun protection and a wind jacket. The Ballestas Islands boat tours page compares the options.
2. Watch sea lions, penguins and seabirds
The South American sea lion, the Humboldt penguin, the Guanay cormorant and the Peruvian pelican all belong to the Ballestas rocks. The pelican is there all year, and its breeding season runs from September to March. Sightings vary from trip to trip. Keep food and loud noise away from the animals. The Ballestas Islands wildlife guide explains what lives where.
3. Photograph the rock arches and guano works
The group consists of Ballesta Norte, Ballesta Centro and Ballesta Sur, rocky islands whose arches and other shapes were carved by the sea. Visible structures for collecting and processing guano show the historic industry that made the islands valuable. Photography, wildlife viewing and looking at rock formations are the activities the park authority describes for visits.
4. See the Paracas Candelabra from the sea
The Paracas Candelabra is a geoglyph on the north side of the Paracas peninsula, about 170 metres long, and it is not on the Ballestas Islands. The national tourism inventory describes a short boat stop there on the way from El Chaco to the islands. Its origin, age and purpose are unexplained, so the view from the boat is a landmark rather than an archaeological visit.
Our picks: Ballestas Islands trips
Choose a 2 hour boat tour for the islands alone. The trek and the ATV ride add the mainland reserve, and the Lima day trip combines Ballestas with Huacachina and a vineyard.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of November 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Ballestas, Huacachina and vineyard from Lima
- Vineyard tour with tasting
- Sandboarding table on dunes
- Taxes and fees included
A long day that ends with sunset at the Huacachina oasis, with air-conditioned transport and a guide throughout.
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Ballestas boat trip from San Martín port
- Private transportation
- All entrance fees
- English speaking tour guide
The port transfer is private; an exclusive boat is not specified. The price is per person.
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2 hour Ballestas boat tour from San Martín port
- Lifejacket
- All fees and taxes
A 2 hour sailing from the San Martín port; conditions at sea can affect departures.
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ATV ride in Paracas National Reserve
- Helmet
- Elbow and other pads
A 2 hour ride on the mainland coast, separate from the boat trip to the islands.
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Guided trek in Paracas National Reserve
- Official tourism guide
- Transfers
A 4 hour walk in the mainland reserve, separate from the boat trip to the islands.
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Ballestas boat tour from Paracas
- Lifejacket
- Official tourism guide
Meet 30 minutes before departure, then walk to the dock to board. The trip lasts 2 hours.
Check availability →Ballestas boat tours and Paracas day trips
Boat trips from Paracas, a trek and an ATV ride in the reserve, and day trips from Lima with dunes and a vineyard.
On the Paracas coast (5 to 8)
The Paracas National Reserve is a separate protected area on the mainland, so these four things to do happen on land.
5. Visit the Paracas National Reserve
The Paracas National Reserve is a desert coast entered through the Santo Domingo control post, and its webpage lists visiting hours of 09:00 to 16:00 daily. An adult day fee of about 3.24 USD (11 PEN) is listed there too. The reserve is a different protected area from the islands, and the Ballestas and Paracas Reserve combination page shows how a trip joins the two.
6. Stand at the La Catedral viewpoint
La Catedral in the Paracas National Reserve was a rock arch until the earthquake of 2007 brought part of it down. A viewpoint now looks over the remaining coastal formations. It is a different sight from the old complete arch.
7. Follow the northern circuit
The northern circuit of the Paracas National Reserve names the viewpoints Supay and La Catedral and the stops Playa Roja, the Isthmus, La Mina, Raspón and Yumaque, with marked paths. Register at the control post, follow the marked routes and take your rubbish with you. The reserve's webpage recommends going with a guide.
8. Join a guided trek or an ATV ride
Guided options in Paracas National Reserve include a 4 hour trek with an official tourism guide and transfers, and a 2 hour ATV ride with helmet and pads. The trek suits visitors who prefer to walk, and the ATV ride suits those who want to cover more ground. Both start in Paracas.
Beyond Paracas (9 to 12)
The Ballestas Islands also anchor longer plans that reach Huacachina, the Nazca Lines and Lima.
9. Add the Huacachina dunes
Huacachina is a desert oasis ringed by dunes near Ica. See Huacachina and Nazca combinations for the options.
10. Fly over the Nazca Lines
The airport fee is not included, foreign guests carry their original passport, and flights between July and September can shift with the weather. Children from 2 years need their own seat. A Nazca flight with Ballestas is one of the longer combinations.
11. Make it a day trip from Lima
Lima is between 3 hours and 4 hours 45 minutes from Paracas on a direct coach, with one-way fares from about 17.65 USD (60 PEN). Read the Lima day-trip guide and how to get to Paracas.
12. Stay in El Chaco or Paracas
El Chaco has a beach, a boulevard, restaurants and hotels, and its pier is the starting point for the Ballestas boats. Pisco also has accommodation. El Chaco and La Marina Turística de Paracas are both starting points, so pick a base near the pier of your tour. The where to stay near the Ballestas Islands page compares the bases.
Planning your Ballestas Islands visit
The Ballestas Islands boat tour takes about 2 hours, and a trip that adds the Paracas National Reserve takes about 6 hours. Port and reserve fees can add about 4.71 USD (16 PEN) for an adult at one operator, paid at the pier before boarding, while other tours include their tickets in the price.
Sailings depend on weather and navigation safety, so departures can change on the day. The Ballestas Islands weather and seasons page explains the year. Anyone with a free morning takes the boat tour alone, visitors with a full day add the reserve, and the Lima trips suit travellers without a base in Paracas.
Things to do in Ballestas Islands: frequently asked questions
What are the main things to do in the Ballestas Islands?
The main thing to do is a boat tour of about 2 hours from El Chaco in Paracas, passing sea lions, Humboldt penguins, cormorants and pelicans on three rocky islands. Passengers stay aboard. Most visitors add the Paracas National Reserve on land, and some continue to Huacachina or the Nazca Lines.
How many days do you need for the Ballestas Islands?
One morning covers the islands, because the boat tour takes about 2 hours. A combined trip with the Paracas National Reserve takes about 6 hours on one tour, and a long day trip from Lima takes about 17 hours. Add a second day for Huacachina or a Nazca flight.
Can you land on the Ballestas Islands?
No, the Ballestas visit is by boat only. The park authority's flyer asks passengers not to land, which protects the animals, so you watch sea lions, penguins and birds from the water. For a visit on foot, use the separate Paracas National Reserve on the mainland.
How much does a Ballestas boat tour cost?
Listed boat tours from Paracas start at 20 USD for a 2 hour trip,. Port and reserve fees can add about 4.71 USD (16 PEN) for an adult at one operator. Some tours include these fees and some do not.