You can get a day tour to the Ballestas Islands from Lima. Some of these tours include the Oasis in Huacachina and / or Paracas Reserve in Ica. Check prices and tours available if heading there for the day from Lima.
Once at Paracas, you head to the harbour and catch a boat from one of the tour companies operating the trip to the islands. The cost of the trip will depend on if you are heading to Paracas yourself of going on a tour from Lima. If you are in Paracas, budget on around US$25 to US$30 for the trip.
The round trip takes about 2 hours. While waiting for our boat we were able to spend some time on the beach along with the local pelicans.
Once on board our boat, we headed out for our trip. While slowly motoring out of the harbour, you get a great view of the old fishing boats.
Margarita
I love learning about new wildlife watching spots. I’ve never heard of The Ballestas Islands. They sound like an interesting spot. Wildlife and giant ancient glyphs – what else could you ask for!?
Lisa
MargaritaIt is beautiful Margarita. Definitely worth visiting if you’re in Peru.
Sinjana Ghosh
What an incredible experience this must have been. The old rocks, thre seals,and the scenery all around. Ballestas Islands is certainly on my ever-growing bucketlist now.
Lisa
Sinjana GhoshIt definitely was an amazing experience Sinjana. And it is definitely worth being on the bucket list.
Karen
What a great alternative to the busy Galapagos Islands. This is this trip I would choose and didnt even know about it. Thanks for sharing. kx
Lisa
KarenYou’re welcome Karen. We really wanted to get to the Galapagos on the way home from Peru but didn’t get time so this was the other option we took.
Laureen Lund
This is awesome. I had not heard of this place. I would love to see that candelabra…I’ve seen photos of that and similar ones too. Great destination I will hold on to for future reference.
Lisa
Laureen LundIt’s definitely worth seeing Laureen.
Ruth Murdoch
Great photography, thanks for sharing. I’ve also wanted to go to the Galapagos Islands but this looks just as good.
Lisa
Ruth MurdochThanks Ruth. The Galapagos are definitely still on my bucket list but this trip was amazing.
John and Susan Pazera
Great post. Looks like a mini version of the Galapagos.
Cheers,
John and Susan
Medellin, Colombia
Lisa
John and Susan PazeraHey John and Susan. It is definitely like a mini Galapagos. We had actually tried to fit a visit to the Galapagos Island on the way home from Peru but just couldn’t fit it in so I found out about the Ballestas Islands while doing that research and so this way we got to see some of the marine life.
John and Susan Pazera
LisaHi Lisa,
Looks great. We loved both Eucador and Peru. We did a few blog post about both including our experience with the Galapagos. BTW if you go to Quito and go to Community Youth Hostel they have a board they list boat tours of the Galapagios at gretely reduced pricing. You just have to not be on a schedule. Its all in our blog. Cheers!
Lisa
John and Susan PazeraThanks for the heads up. Will definitely check out your posts.
David
Beautiful experience, I love when people shows their passion.
Lisa
DavidThanks David. The wildlife was absolutely stunning.