Calling all nature lovers, this tour allows you to swim alongside wild sea lions in their natural environment. Departing Lima, travel by boat to the Guanera Islands (Islas Guaneras), home to Humboldt penguins, guano birds, and sea lions. Plunge into the water to enjoy a supervised swim with the marine mammals before admiring rock formations and other wildlife on your return journey. Refreshments are included.

Tour of the Guanera Islands (Islas Guaneras) from Lima
An immersive experience designed for nature lovers
Take a boat tour of the Guanera Islands, home to Humboldt penguins, guano birds, and sea lions
Swim alongside sea lions in their natural environment
Refreshments are included

What's Included

Bottled water
Snacks
Professional guide
Transport by speed boat
Wetsuit
Bathrooms

Transportation to/from attractions
Protection and conservation fee (11 Soles or 4 USD each person)

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Meeting point

La Mar 229, Callao 07021, Peru
Calle La Mar N. 229, Callao Provincia Constitucional Del Callao. Referencia: Calle Daniel Nieto N. 102 - 114. PLEASE NOTE: Meeting Time is 10am and Departure Time is 10:30am

Pickup point

El Nakary
Calle, La Mar 229, Callao 07021, Peru

Start time

10:00 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Sail away from Lima to the Guarnera Islands (Islas Guaneras) on your boat journey while enjoying a cool drink.

Explore Callao Bay's yacht, warships, and merchant vessel anchorage first. After that, sail across the open seas to reach San Lorenzo Island. Explore this place and witness the humboldt penguins, fishing boats, and colorful guano bird colonies.

As your tour continues, hop back on your boat and venture to Palomino Island, home to a sea lion colony. Gear up in neoprene suits and plunge into the water for a refreshing swim alongside these marine animals.

On the way back to the port, enjoy views of cliffs, islets, and more wildlife as you refuel with a delightful snack.

Mar Adentro Excursiones / Mar Adentro Peru

2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Islas Palomino

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Minimum age is 3 years

Dress code: swimsuit, your towel, your hat, sun protector, warm clothing, raincoats
Take care of your personal belongings The company is not responsible for losses.
If you book transfer round trip from Miraflores, provide us your address
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 22 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

449 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 449 reviews

Amazing opportunity!

Sofia_B, Apr 2024

This was a wonderful experience, my husband and I went and this was our first day in Peru. The guide was wonderful and it was a small group. It’s a once in a lifetime experience!

So fun and amazing

Sharon_G, Apr 2024

Best tour! So much fun. Sea lions were so cute and the penguins. Boat ride was enjoyable, felt very safe and Diego was very knowledgeable. Swimming with sea lions was amazing! You will have a lot of fun, bring warm clothes for after the swim 😍

Definitely go on this tour but be sure to wear a hair and sunscreen

Elizabeth_D, Apr 2024

This tour is wonderful. The sea lions nibbled our feet! We saw lots of pelicans and penguins too. Wear a hat and reapply your sunscreen. Don’t get burnt like us!

Great experience

Vanessa_R, Apr 2024

We enjoyed our trip. The meeting point is at the restaurant in the corner. We were a bit lost but our tour guide quickly spotted us and asked if we were doing the tour. Our tour guide provided a bit of history of the smaller islands (the president’s vacation home, the marines training and more). The speedboat experience was amazing being off the coast and seeing the transition from calm to chaotic, large, and choppy waves. Be warn, the smell near the sea lions is horrid. We showered twice and washed our clothes at the hotel because the smell was awful and made some guests even gag. However, 10/10 experience, I would do this again. The tour guide helped many of us get the attention of the sea lions in the water, being that close in their natural habitat was an amazing experience.

Great but wear the wetsuit because the water is cold

Sharon_H, Apr 2024

The boat ride was good with only one choppy water section. The islands were beautiful and the history well explained in English and Spanish. But the highlight was definitely the sea lion swim. They came so close even though there were a ton of people in the water from 2 your boats

Just fantastic 👏 👌 😀

JulieDawn_K, Mar 2024

This is a MUST!!! You will love love love ❤️ 😍 💖 this trip. It is so worth coming just to Peru 🇵🇪 for !!! I pinky promise!!! The whole set up is well organised, staffed by wonderful knowledgeable and down to earth 🌎 😀 people. They are great. Us the whole boat trip is a wonder 😘 The palmino islands are to die for. The natural beauty is just stunning 😍 You will not regret spending your time and hard saved cash on this trip. DO IT!!! XXX ❤️ I took my Mum at 73!! She loved it too.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Gracias por tu lindo comentario, nos ayuda muchísimo para que mas personas se animen, realmente es un tour hecho con mucho respeto y cariño por la naturaleza, nos preocupamos porque disfruten de esta experiencia única nadando con lobos marinos, observando pingüinos de Humboldt, viendo aves y toda la vida marina, gracias y esperamos que tengan un lindo dia

Good but not for sea sick people.

Angeline_A, Mar 2024

Great but not for sea sick people. Sea lions and staff were great. Beautiful day but it was choppy water and lots of people got sick.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

hola , para aquellas personas que son propensas al mareo recomendamos tomar un desayuno ligero o algun medicamento para minimizar el mareo, de hecho nuestro Oceano Pacifico algunas veces no lo es, igual esperamos que esta experiencia haya sido dentro de todo enriquecedora, saludos

So much fun

Amy_M, Mar 2024

A great tour with fun guides! The sea lions get so close to you and you get to swim with them for a good amount of time! We saw penguins too! Would do again.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

gracias por tu comentario, nos alegra que te la hayas pasado super, cuando quieras volver a hacerlo aqui estaremos, saludos

We saw penguins!

Mark_H, Mar 2024

The trip was very organized and we felt safe throughout. We saw 3 penguins…woot woot! Loved swimming close to the sea lions but they sure do stink! Our group was a little disjointed and didn’t form a line so the sea lions never got close to us. It was still a fun experience as they were only about 20 feet away. My tip is to listen to the guides to make sure you and the others all position yourselves to get the most out of the experience.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Gracias por tu comentarios, nos ayuda mucho para que otras personas se animen a realizar esta linda experiencia, definitivamente hay que escuchar a los guías y si tienes un poco de suerte los lobos se acercaran a ti, saludos y gracias por formar parte de esta aventura Mar Adentro

Highly Recommend

Zachary_Z, Mar 2024

Incredible experience. The perfect amount of time in the water. You see penguins on the way, sea lions on the island which get close, and learn about the history of other incredible cool landmarks on the way. The ride is smooth and my group had a blast. Highly recommend.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Gracias Zachary por tu comentario, estamos contentos que hayas tenido una grata experiencia nadando con lobos marinos , observando pingüinos y aves migratorias, que tengas un buen día y nos vemos pronto en una nueva aventura Mar Adentro

Watching our family swim,...

Susan_F, Mar 2024

Watching our family swim, and hearing the sea lions. Beautiful scenery. The captain and tour guide were great.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Gracias Susan nos alegra que tu y tu familia hayan vivido una linda experiencia, disfrutando de un día con la naturaleza marina, nos vemos en otra oportunidad, que tengas un buen dia

Lots of sea lions.

Mala_B, Feb 2024

Very nice experience. Guide was not well informed or didn't share much info . Saw 5 penguins lots of sea lions. I didn't swim but others in party said it was great. Good tour.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Hola, gracias por tu comentario nos alegra que hayas visto pingüinos y a la gran colonia de lobos marinos, quizás para la próxima te animes a nadar con ellos, tendremos en cuenta tu recomendación aunque todos nuestros guías están super capacitados , saludos y que tengas buen día

Great Trip

Kathleen_C, Feb 2024

Great trip. Everything went as advertised. Loved the sea lions and other sites. The trip leader was very attentive and watched out for everybody. I would recommend this trip if you are interested in nature/ocean/animals and birds.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Gracias por tu comentario, nos alegra mucho que hayas disfrutado de esta linda experiencia, de hecho nuestro tour hay bastante naturaleza y mucha vida marina, gracias por tu visita y nos vemos pronto

Wonderful but smelly and hot

Irma_A, Feb 2024

It was really fun! Tour guide is very funny and good energy. Islands are great to visit and sea lions are so payful. However, make sure to wear a lot of sunscreen and shirts that don’t let UV pass because boat doesn’t have a cover. Also sea lions smell like wet unwashed dogs so prepare yourself for the smell. Otherwise great experience!

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Hola Irma, gracias por tu comentario, de hecho siempre recomendamos ponerse mucho protector solar, llevar un gorro , toalla y una casaca cortaviento, de hecho que en esta época de verano hay que cuidarnos mucho mas y sobre el olor, contra eso no podemos hacer nada, es un área natural x lo tanto los animales están libres, para algunas personas es mas sensible el olor, pero bueno esperamos que dentro de todo la experiencia haya valido la pena, saludos

Fairytale

Antoinette_F, Jan 2024

This is the most memorable trip ive taken in a long time! Our guide was amazing, very professional and welcoming. I would recommend this for everyone who doesn’t mind some waves! If I ever come back to Lima I will book this trip again

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Gracias Antoine, nos alegra que hayas disfrutado de esta aventura Mar Adentro, nuestra naturaleza es asombrosa así como nuestro mar, te esperamos cuando desees volver, saludos

Raj Mahal’s Thumbs Up for once in a life time sea lion experience

Rajeshwer_S, Dec 2023

First things first. Even if you decide not to jump in the water and interact with sea lions, this trip is totally worth it. You will get to see native birds, penguins, dolphins (if lucky) and lots of sea lions. You can jump in the water with or without wet suit. Water was not that cold in December. If you are not good swimmer, get a life vet and once you jump in just wade and float… you will be just fine. Don’t try too hard. The tour only had fins for the guide. If you can get fins, it will be very easy. Sea lions do not interact with you unless you are 20 or 30 feet near them. They recommend you to lie on your back and keep feet up. They will smell you and May be touch you but it’s generally safe. They are mostly curious. One exception is in the rare circumstance you see a male sea lion jump in the water, you should double up away from their area. These guys are very territorial and they are like 10 times the size of females. However, they usually stay sun bathing way up in the rocks. The water is calm away from the rocks and get a little bit more aggressive closer. I went in the water with my three kids youngest is 11. He is still learning swimming but he was totally comfortable. When he grew tired, the guide was in the water asking if he needed a ride and pulled him to the boat. There are literally 1000s of sea lions on the island by the way. You can spend time just watching them and hearing them communicate.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Muchas Gracias Rajesh , nos alegra que hayan disfrutado de esta experiencia Mar Adentro, de ver aves migratorias, observar pingüinos de Humboldt y nadar con lobos marinos en su hábitat natural, nuestro guia los acompañara siempre que ingresen al mar y como dices siempre estaremos pendientes de los niños, nos alegra que se hayan sentido cómodos, los esperamos pronto , saludos y bonito día

Never did trip.. meeting...

KEVIN_B, Dec 2023

Never did trip.. meeting point was not accessible from port … only way out of port was on shuttle bus and it’s only stop was an hour away in minaflores … no way to get back to meeting point other than an hour in taxi. Tour should not be sold from cruise ships . I’m done with Viator… very misleading

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Buenas tardes, viator no es engañoso, normalmente cuando vienen en cruceros salen a hacer el tour en grupos privados, por lo que dificulta hacer el tour en un grupo en compartido esperamos que puedan en algún momento realizar el tour , regresar al Perú y disfrutar de esta aventura, si es asi estaremos encantados de llevarlos a realizar el tour, saludos y buen dia

Best tour in Lima

EfiF, Dec 2023

Loved this tour!!! And just recommended to another person who will be going on Wednesday Totally worth it!!!

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Muchas gracias por compartir tu grata experiencia, esperamos que tu amigo haya disfrutado al igual que tu, saludos desde el mar

Bucket List Experience

Robert_A, Nov 2023

Fantastic excursion! Swimming with sea lions is exactly what you do. They get within a couple feet of you and that is a true bucket list experience. In addition, you'll see penguins and a number of different birds. Rodrigo was our guide and did a superb job of narration and swimming management. He even took underwater video of sea lions for us! Don't hesitate - book this once in a lifetime experience!

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Hola Roberto, gracias por tu comentario, ayudan mucho a que otras personas se decidan a realizar el tour, de hecho es un tour de naturaleza viva, los lobos marinos son juguetones y son ellos los que se nos acercan, gracias por considerar esta experiencia como un check en la lista de deseos, saludos y nos vemos pronto

Amazing!!!

Eric_H, Nov 2023

The tour was spectacular! we saw penguins and the sea lions were super playful and friendly. Rodrigo our tour guide made our experience unforgettable. His knowledge and experience shows and he made sure that everyone had a great time.

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Gracias Eric, nos encanta lo que hacemos, y mostrarles nuestra flora y fauna es una experiencia única, nos alegra que hayan disfrutado de esta linda aventura nadando con lobos marinos , saludos y nos vemos pronto

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