Paracas: Ballestas Islands & Reserve in One Day Experience

Paracas Full-Day Tour: Boat and Desert Reserve Exploration

This full-day tour in Paracas suits travelers seeking a complete wildlife and landscape experience, combining boat trips and desert exploration.

Highlights

• Explore all of Paracas in one day on a comprehensive full-day adventure.
• 2-hour boat tour to the Paracas Candelabra geoglyph and Ballestas Islands.
• Close encounters with sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and seabirds.
• Visit Paracas National Reserve with cliffs, red beaches, and desert landscapes.
• Swim at La Mina Beach and free time for lunch at Lagunillas Beach by the sea.

Description

This intensive full-day tour covers Paracas’ main attractions within 24 hours, combining ocean and desert environments. The day starts at 8:00 a.m. with an eco-friendly boat departing from the dock.

Shortly after departure, you will see the Paracas Candelabra, a massive geoglyph carved into the desert hillside visible from the sea. Its origins remain unknown, adding to its intrigue.

Next, the boat reaches the Ballestas Islands, often called the “Peruvian Galápagos.” Here you will observe sea lions resting on rocks, Humboldt penguins walking around, and numerous seabirds overhead. You may also see dolphins swimming nearby. After two hours, the boat returns to shore.

Between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m., enjoy free time along the Paracas boardwalk to relax, get refreshments, or browse local artisan goods.

At 11:00 a.m., the tour continues with a vehicle trip into Paracas National Reserve. This desert features diverse landscapes including towering sea cliffs, red sandy beaches, and marine fossils.

Stops include the Paracas Cathedral rock formation, viewpoints at Supay and Santa María, and the Red Beach where red sand meets turquoise waters.

You will have the chance to swim at La Mina Beach, a calm bay surrounded by cliffs. The tour then stops at Lagunillas Beach, where you can have lunch (not included) while seated on rocks next to the ocean.

The tour concludes around 3:00 p.m. back at the original starting point, offering a full day of Paracas’ wildlife, landscapes, and cultural mystery.

Includes

• Tickets and taxes for Ballestas Islands and Paracas National Reserve
• Group ecological boat tour to Ballestas Islands
• Bilingual guide (English/Spanish) for both boat and reserve tours
• Group transportation for Paracas National Reserve
• Life jackets
• Optional transfers from hotel or bus station in Paracas

Excludes

• Meals

Important Information

• The excursion may be postponed or canceled due to dangerous weather conditions.
• If prone to seasickness, avoid heavy meals before the boat tour.
• Optional pickup available at hotels or bus station in Paracas; travelers staying outside Paracas must select the meeting point option.
• Lunch at Lagunillas Beach is not included in the tour price.

Easy Cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

For the best experience, bring sun protection, comfortable shoes, and swimwear. Morning departures are recommended to avoid the afternoon heat.