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ParacasCruises & boat tours

Our most recommended Paracas Cruises & boat tours

From Paracas: Ballestas Islands & Paracas National Reserve

1. From Paracas: Ballestas Islands & Paracas National Reserve

After a convenient hotel pickup from either Paracas or Pisco, head to the Marina Turistica to start your adventure. Board a speedboat with your bilingual, Spanish and English-speaking guide, and jet out onto the sea towards the stunning Ballestas. Along the way, stop at the Paracas Peninsula to see the Candelabro, an enigmatic glyph carved into the side of the island — whose purpose, and creator, remain a mystery to this day. Afterwards, continue onwards towards the marine sanctuary of Ballestas. Gaze upon the rocky shores, filled to the brim with sunbathing seals, and penguins diving into the turbid waters to hunt underneath the surface — all alongside other beautiful specimens, like majestic pelicans, and colorful blue-footed boobies. You’ll then return to the Marina Turistica for a drive to Paracas National Reserve. An almost alien landscape, the Paracas National Reserve is composed of vast, sprawling deserts and high sandstone cliffs directly next to the bright, blue ocean. Driving through the reserve, see the Cathedral, an area where a vast rock formation once stood before being destroyed by a cataclysmic earthquake. Your tour caps things off with visits to Playa Roja and Lagunillas Beach, two stunning maroon-sand beaches that are truly one-of-a-kind. Having seen some of the world's most unique natural features, flora, and fauna, you'll hop back in the car for a convenient transfer back to your hotel.

From Paracas: Scenic Boat Tour to Ballestas Island

2. From Paracas: Scenic Boat Tour to Ballestas Island

After a convenient hotel pickup from either Paracas or Pisco, head to the Marina Turistica to start your islands adventure. Board a speedboat with your bilingual, Spanish and English-speaking guide, and jet out onto the sea towards the stunning Ballestas. Along the way, stop at the Paracas Peninsula to see the Candelabro, an enigmatic glyph carved into the side of the island — whose purpose, and creator, remain a mystery to this day. Afterwards, continue onwards towards the marine sanctuary of Ballestas. Gaze upon the rocky shores, filled to the brim with sunbathing seals and penguins diving into the turbid waters to hunt underneath the surface — all alongside other beautiful specimens, like majestic pelicans, and colorful blue-footed boobies. A protected habitat for the wide swathe of birds and sea-life that call these islands home, Ballestas is truly one of Peru’s natural treasures — and a speedboat tour around their shores is the best way to see the islands, and all they have to offer, up close.

Paracas: Ballestas Islands Morning Boat Tour

3. Paracas: Ballestas Islands Morning Boat Tour

Your Paracas coastline adventure departs from the marina in the morning and then heads out onto the open blue waters of the ocean. The first stop of the tour is the famous El Candelabro, also known as the ‘Candelabra of the Andes’, a prehistoric geoglyph on the northern face of the Paracas Peninsula at Pisco Bay. Admire the imposing figure set into the landscape and learn more about the history of the geoglyph from your tour guide. The boat sails onto the Ballestas Islands next, a collection of biodiverse islets that are home to an array of protected and endangered animals and birds. From the boat, admire these beautiful islands and learn about the many marine species it houses, including the curious Humboldt penguins, the playful sea lions, and the exuberant colorful birds. Visitors to the islands are not permitted onto the land because it is a protected natural area, however there is plenty of time to see all that the islands have to offer from the comfort of the boat.

From Lima: Ballestas, Nazca Lines, & Huacachina Oasis

4. From Lima: Ballestas, Nazca Lines, & Huacachina Oasis

Start your adventure by departing Lima in the early morning. Travel for around 300 km on the Pan-American highway until you reach Paracas Bay, a very important place for Peruvian history which is full of wildlife.  Enjoy a boat tour to the Ballestas Islands and watch out for birds, sea lions, dolphins, and penguins. Then head to Pisco Airport and take a 1 hour and 45-minute flight over the Palpa desert to see the Nazca Lines. Stop at the Huacachina Oasis, and take some time to eat lunch and walk around. Test your skills at sandboarding for an additional cost or just enjoy free time drinking Pisco Sours. At the end of the adventure, head back to Lima via the same route.

Ballestas Islands and Huacachina Oasis Half-Day Tour

5. Ballestas Islands and Huacachina Oasis Half-Day Tour

Begin your morning with a pickup from your hotel in Paracas or Piso and head to the Paracas Harbor. Here you'll board a speedboat to begin your adventure to the stunning Ballestas Island. On the way you will stop at the Paracas Peninsula to see a stunning design of the enigmatic El Candelabro drawn on the side of a hill on the peninsula. Afterwards, the speedboat will navigate towards to the Ballestas Islands, where you will see a stunning world filled with birds and sea lions. Visit up to three islands, depending on sea conditions, and explore their caves.  Head back to the port for a 40 minute break before boarding a vehicle to drive approximately one hour to go towards the city of Ica. On this portion of the tour you will visit a vineyard to have the opportunity to taste traditional wine and Pisco, the national drink of Peru. Learn about the history and production process of Pisco in one of the bodegas before heading to more sights. Later on you will visit the Cathedral of Senor de Luren, the main square and the Regional Museum of Ica, and an interesting building that houses the remains of the local ancient cultures. After spending time in Ica continue southwest towards the Huacachina Oasis, a beautiful lagoon surrounded by palm trees and huge sand dunes with a spectacular view of Ica Valley and desert. Here you will be able to climb the sand dunes and enjoy a dune buggy tour. After spending time in the sand you will return with a drop-off at your hotel.

From San Martin: Ballestas Islands and Paracas Reserve

6. From San Martin: Ballestas Islands and Paracas Reserve

Meet your guide at 9:15 AM at San Martin Port, from where you will travel to Paracas town to meet the rest of the group and board the speedboat to begin this adventure to the stunning Ballestas Islands. On the way, you will stop at the Paracas peninsula to see the enigmatic figure of the Candelabro, a stunning design drawn on the side of a hill in the Peninsula. Nobody knows for sure who did it or why. Some believe it is related to the Nazca Lines, but still found no proof or evidence that can define its creation.  Afterwards head off to Ballestas Island where you will enter a world filled with birds and sea lions. Here you will see the three islands and, if conditions allow, navigate in some caves. On your return to the port, you will board a vehicle towards Paracas Reserve. At Paracas Reserve you will have the opportunity to learn more about the Reserve by visiting the interpretation center, an interesting building that explains all the fauna, flora, and many other important facts about the Paracas Peninsula through photographic displays. Then you will be driven through the lifeless desert until the area where once a great natural rock formation stood, known as the Cathedral, which was destroyed during the 2007 earthquake. From this place you will have amazing views of the desert and the blue ocean and after, you will visit Playa Roja and Lagunillas beach for some refreshment. Finally you will return to San Martin Port to rejoin your ship.

Lima: 9-Day Peru Express with Ica, Cusco, and Puno

7. Lima: 9-Day Peru Express with Ica, Cusco, and Puno

Day 1: Arrival in Lima, City Tour Your tour will begin as you are picked up from the airport, it is advisable to arrive in the morning. In the afternoon, you will take a city tour. That evening you will stay at the Miramar Hotel or similar in Lima. Day 2: Paracas, Ica, and Huacachina with Buggies and Sandboarding Visit the Ballestas Islands and Candelabrum, before a wine and Pisco demonstration in Ica city. Later that day, take part in riding buggies and sandboarding in Huacachina. That evening you will once again stay at the Miramar Hotel or similar in Lima. Day 3: Arrival to Cusco On your third day, you will arrive in Cusco, you will be transferred to the hotel then will have a free day for acclimatizing or visiting some places around the Cusco historical center. That evening you will lodge in the Ayni Cusco Hotel or similar. Day 4: Chinchero, Maras, and Moray in the Sacred Valley of the Incas Begin with a visit to the Chinchero textile center, before moving onward to the archaeological sites in Chinchero and Moray. Following that, you will tour the salt mines in Maras before taking the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, lodging at the Golden Sunrise Hotel or similar in Aguas Calientes. Day 5: Machu Picchu Inca Citadel On day 5 you will explore the breathtaking Machu Picchu, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the world. Following a full day at this sacred site. In the afternoon, take the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and arrive in Cusco by transportation, you will overnight at the Ayni Cusco Hotel or similar. Day 6: Humantay Lake On your sixth day, you will trek to Humantay Lake, which is close to the snowy Salkantay mountain, you will be able to know the first camp of the famous Salkantay trek. That evening you will once again lodge in the Ayni Cusco Hotel or similar. Day 7: Rainbow Mountain Trek to Rainbow Mountain, which is very close to the highest mountain of Cusco: the Ausangate Mountain, this is a famous place around Cusco. Following your day of hiking, you will return once more to the Ayni Cusco Hotel or similar overnight. Day 8: Route of the Sun On day 8 you will take a bus tour between Cusco and Puno. Throughout this journey, you will visit the Andahuaylillas Chapel, Raqchi Archaeological Complex, La Raya Pass, and the Lithic Museum of Pukara. That evening you will stay at the Qalasaya Hotel or similar. Day 9: Titicaca Lake and the Uros and Taquile Islands On the final day, you will take a speed boat tour of Lake Titicaca, before exploring the Uros and Taquile Islands. In the afternoon, you will transfer to the airport where your tour will conclude.

From Lima: Ballestas Islands, Huacachina Oasis & Winery Tour

8. From Lima: Ballestas Islands, Huacachina Oasis & Winery Tour

Start your adventure by departing Lima in the early morning. Travel for around 300 km on the Pan-American highway until you reach Paracas Bay, a very important place for Peruvian history which is full of wildlife.  Enjoy a boat tour to the Ballestas Islands and watch out for birds, sea lions, dolphins, and penguins. Then drive to drive to a small local winery to learn how Pisco is made and to enjoy a tasting. Stop at the Huacachina Oasis, and take some time to eat lunch and walk around. Test your skills at sand boarding or just enjoy free time enjoying the beautiful landscape . At the end of the adventure, head back to Lima via the same route.

From Lima: Ballestas Islands, Paracas Reserve & Museum Tour

9. From Lima: Ballestas Islands, Paracas Reserve & Museum Tour

Prepare yourself for an early morning pickup from your hotel in Lima at 4:30 AM. Travel south towards the desert area and coastal region of the Paracas National Reserve. Enjoy a fresh box for breakfast and arrive at Paracas at 7:40 AM. Upon arrival at Paracas, head towards the main port to board the first boat of the day to the Ballestas Islands. Admire the scenery of the Bay of Paracas and Punta Pejerrey en route to the natural habitat of sea lions, seagulls, penguins and other wildlife species. See the incredible "Paracas Candelabra", geoglyph related to the Nazca lines. Its significance is still a mystery. Get a detailed explanation of the history and importance of the Paracas National Reserve, established in 1975 as the oldest marine reserve in Peru. Visit key attractions on the reserve such as the Interpretation Center, the Flamingo Viewpoint, the Cathedral, and beautiful beaches like Playa Lagunillas, Playa Roja, and Playa Yumaque.  Continue the tour with a guided visit to the Paracas Museum. Learn interesting facts about local culture as you explore rooms filled pottery, textiles, and mysterious elongated skulls. Finally, enjoy a fresh seafood lunch in an ocean-view restaurant before beginning your trip back to Lima.

Ica: Ballestas Island & Paracas Reserve Private Tour

10. Ica: Ballestas Island & Paracas Reserve Private Tour

After a convenient hotel pickup, head to the Marina Turistica to begin your adventure. Board a speedboat with your guide, and jet out onto the sea towards the stunning Ballestas. Stop at the Paracas Peninsula to see the Candelabro, an enigmatic glyph carved into the side of the island, whose purpose, and creator, remain a mystery to this day. Continue onwards towards the marine sanctuary of Ballestas. Gaze upon the rocky shores filled to the brim with sunbathing seals, and penguins diving into the turbid waters to hunt underneath the surface. See other beautiful specimens, like majestic pelicans, and colorful blue-footed boobies. Return to the Marina Turistica for a drive to Paracas National Reserve. Discover the almost alien landscape of the Paracas National Reserve, with vast sprawling deserts and high sandstone cliffs. Driving through the reserve, see the Cathedral, an area where a vast rock formation once stood before being destroyed by a cataclysmic earthquake. Visit the stunning maroon-sand beaches of Playa Roja and Lagunillas Beach. Having seen some of the world's most unique natural features, flora, and fauna, hop back in the car for a convenient transfer back to your hotel in Ica or drop-off in Paracas (Hotel or bus station).

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What people are saying about Paracas

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 17 reviews

An incredible experience. Miguel (our guide) was punctual at our hotel to start the day and from minute 1 he proved to be an excellent guide, always attentive to everything we were dealing with and wanted to know. The day was a roller coaster of emotions that began in Paracas on the Ballesteros Islands. Seeing penguins, sea lions and countless birds left us speechless. Once in the Ica desert, we let ourselves be amazed by Huacachina, its oasis and the dunes. The tubular ride was amazing, pure fun and the sand boarding experience was a lot of fun too. Finally, we move on to Nietto for lunch and wine tasting, the perfect way to end an unforgettable adventure. Eternal thanks to Miguel and the driver of the van for a service and experience of 10.

Una muy bonita experiencia, Las Adventure se hizo cargo de recogernos, guardar el equipaje y llevarnos al muelle. La comunicación y la ayuda fue excelente. El tour dura 2 hrs total (30mins ida y 30mins vuelta hasta las islas). No se vieron muchos pingüinos pero sí lobos marinos y muchas aves, la guía fue muy informativa. Importante llevar sombrero con amarre porque el viento es fuerte en el camino hacia las islas.

Pros: - detailed visit around the Ballestas Islands - amazing nature and wildlife Cons: - it started with a 25 mins delay without communication

This was an amazing experience to see so much and have a great time doing it! Very much recommended

Greta trip with brilliant wildlife. Well worth stopping in paracas for.