Paracas

Paracas trip ideas

Ballestas Islands Group Tour from San Martin Port

Name: Ballestas Islands Group Tour from San Martin Port
Brand: LAS ADVENTURE
SKU: 14547P5
Price: 50.00 USD
Rating: 4.5 (29 reviews)

Badge of ExcellenceParacas, Peru

2 hours
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Explore our promoted experiences

Special Offer

Paracas, South Coast

Full Day Tour to Visit Ballestas Islands and Paracas Reserve

from $53.10

$59.00 $5.90 savings

Paracas, South Coast

Paracas National Reserve Tour

from $60.00

Paracas, South Coast

Private Tour to Huacachina from Paracas

from $121.80

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

If you’re landing at San Martin Port, don’t miss the chance to see the Ballestas Islands and their native wildlife. Observe penguins, sea lions, dolphins, and more during this short excursion. Take off in a speedboat and pass the famous Candelabra geoglyph that can be spotted on the hill, believed to be part of the mysterious Nazca Lines, before heading to the islands to explore the sea caves. Port pickup and drop-off is included.

Explore the Ballestas Islands on a short excursion during your cruise dock
Observe native wildlife such as penguins, sea lions, and dolphins
See the giant Candelabra geoglyph carved into the nearby mountain
Learn about the area and its history from your informative guide

What's Included

Pickup and drop-off from San Martin Port.
All activities and transportation in group.
English and spanish speaking guide.

Personal Travel Insurance
Entrance fees of 16 soles per person ($4.80 USD) local payment at the dock.
Food and drinks, unless specified

Meeting and Pickup

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

Meeting point

Terminal Portuario General San Martín
Terminal Portuario Gral. San Martín, Paracas, Peru
You will be met at San Martin Port at the main arrival gate.

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Start time

09:15 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup details

Meeting point at San Martin Port arrival - we will be in front of the ship with a sign (LAS ADVENTURE)

What To Expect

Islas Ballestas

2 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
If your ship has a delay in arriving, we strongly suggest to notify us three to four days in advance so we can arrange a new pick up time. We also suggest you to keep checking your emails in case the pickup time changes.
Not wheelchair accessible
Printed travel voucher or E-travel voucher along with your passport or any ID its required before boarding (verification purpose only).
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps

Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 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.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.5

29 reviews

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

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 29 reviews

It was a great tour....

Mary_S, Apr 2024

It was a great tour. Thoroughly enjoyed this cruise. We did get to see 3 penguins and lots of sealions.

Great views of marine life.

Christin_C, Apr 2024

Had a wonderfully exciting and informative tour around the Islands to see marine life and unique rock formations. The boat was driven safely and allowed views for all passengers.

Tour in March 2024

Mary_C, Mar 2024

The wildlife, scenery and candelabra were amazing. Weather was great. The boats were clean, comfortable with life jackets on each seat. Town had many restaurants and shopping stalls.

Worth the price

Arthur_M, Mar 2024

It was a great experience, however, the crowded and uncoordinated personnel at the dock was a mess. Waited over an hour to board boat. That’s not your fault though.

Very Informational in every aspect of the area and a great value!!!!

Lisa_R, Mar 2024

Well, we really liked this excursion. We saw lots of animals. Sea lions, penguins, crabs and multiple breeds of birds. It smells like bird poop. They actually have an industry on these islands of gathering the poop for fertilizer, which was interesting. It was HOT while we were waiting. Not a lot of shade unless you get lucky to be under the tent. A little hectic because this area is where the natives go to take water taxis too. The price was a good price although you can get for cheaper when you get there but you're not guaranteed someone who speaks English. If you speak Spanish or at least know a little it would help. I knew a little but it was too little. The boat is covered so no need for a hat. The driver was great. He knew how to maneuver around for the least amount of splash or bumpiness. He also got us into spot to see better without hitting an rocks, which gave us even better views. The driver was very accommodating by turning the boat around to give everyone an opportunity to take pictures and videos from each side. You can't go wrong with using Viator. I will say it was a little chaotic when we got to the port where the boat for this excursion took off so just have some patience and find some shade. Heat tends to get people more frustrated. I'm going to say I went in February and I've been on a lot of cruises and around part of the world and this by far was the HOTTEST trip we took. We were in Chile for 11 days then a took a cruise up to Miami for 16 days. HOT/MUGGY with no relief even in the shade. I would recommend and I feel for a stress free excursion this is a good price and way cheaper than the cruise price.

Fabulous wildlife

Rachel_G, Feb 2024

Had a wonderful time on this trip. The captain of our boat did a great job spotting sealions well before we got to the islands, and we even saw a couple of Humboldt Penguins. Pick up was nice and smooth from infront of the cruise ship, and we were given the option afterwards of staying in Paracas and taking the cruise shuttle bus back, so I even got to spend a bit of time in the little town.

Great experience

JudithEvelyn_A, Jan 2024

We say penguins and sea lions in the wild and many sea birds, however the organization at the dock was not good and needs to improve. We stood in the su for a long time before we got to the boat. Give out the tickets to get on the boat in the air condition bus ahead of time and then line up to get on the boat, however I would still recommend this tour.

Wonderful day out watching wildlife

nxwwqx2tf5, Dec 2023

What an experience got to see tons of sea lions penguins 🐧 lots of other wildlife. Carlos the tour guide was outstanding with information on the island and what the tour was all about.

If you want to see nature and wildlife, do this

Scott_S, Dec 2023

Seeing the penguins, seals, birds, crabs, and starfish was amazing. My wife and I enjoyed this tour.

Fast Boat

VALERIE_B, Dec 2023

This tour was great, as they picked us up at cruise port and took us to boat. The two places it went were wonderful so close to see. The boat was fast.

Great experience

Timothy_W, Aug 2023

Excellently taken care of. Pickup very easy and guide did a great job. Would definitely use Viator again.

Close to being in the Mini-Galapagos

John_D, Dec 2022

This was a very great trip exploring the outer islands off of Paracus. A lot of great birds, sea lions, etc. The crew and guide were fantastic. The town was great to wander around and have a drink or a bite to eat

One of the best tours in 30 years of cruising

DAVID_O, Jan 2020

Great tour one of the best and one of the cheapest we have ever taken. Cold and windy on the speedboat out to the island - wear a jacket and wear shoes with good traction as getting in and out of the boat is touchy. A million birds and dozens and dozens of sea lions everywhere on the 3 little, rocky islands. The islands themselves are fascinating - multiple rock arches and tunnels. Very jagged. Sea lions draped all over the rocks - how do they get up so high? We only saw about 6 Humbolt penguins but so many other birds- and some with their babies- that the few penguins did not disappoint. The guide did a good job of informing us about the different birds and the history of the islands. The place stinks from all the guano - be prepared. Cost about 1/3rd what the same tour from the cruise costs. Do not miss this one!

Lots to see

Travelman69Northants, Nov 2019

A well organised tour out to the islands, Comfortable boat, easy to see and photograph the birds and seals. Good commentary in English.

Almost perfect

HENRY_Z, Mar 2019

The trip to the island was fantastic. Our guide was informative and easily understood. The only reason it was not given an excellent was because the return to the ship was disjointed. Instead of being delivered directly to the ship, we had a cab to a shuttle bus.

Very interesting, and unusual...

stephen_w, Apr 2018

Very interesting, and unusual wildlife experience well organised and less than half the price for exactly the same trip on the cruise ship.

They picked us up in a van right...

Carol P, Mar 2018

They picked us up in a van right outside the ship and took us directly to the port where we boarded a small boat that held about 20 people. It was a smooth ride as we passed the Candelabro and then headed out to the Ballestas Island. The captain could get the boat near the islands so we could see the many sea lions, penguins and caves. We also saw flocks of thousands of cormorants as they dove for anchovies.The guide on the boat shared a lot of information about the islands. I would definitely do this boat trip again.

We absolutely loved this tour! We...

Sharon d, Mar 2017

We absolutely loved this tour! We had no idea that we would see so many birds and sea life. We were on a cruise and we were picked up where we disembarked from the ship. Everyone loved this excursion. It turned out that it was one of the highlights of our trip. It's definitely a "must do".

Great tour, seeing all the various...

Johnny_H, Nov 2016

Great tour, seeing all the various birds, sea lions, and penguins was a great experience.