Ballestas Islands

The meeting will be at the agreed time at El Chaco Port, where we will board our speedboat. The trip lasts approximately 30 minutes by boat. During the journey, we will see the famous Candelabra, which is clearly visible from the sea. It is a large geoglyph carved into the slope of a small hill on the Paracas Peninsula, whose origin and purpose have not yet been determined. It may have been a signal pointing toward the Nazca Lines or perhaps a lighthouse for ancient navigators.

In order to protect the penguins, seabirds, and the colonies of sea lions that inhabit the islands, boats keep a respectful distance. However, the boat will get close enough for you to appreciate the spectacular flora and fauna. Playful sea lions often approach the boats, filling the air with a chorus of barking sounds. Hundreds and hundreds of friendly sea lions, clumsy Peruvian boobies, and expert-diving Humboldt penguins compete for space on the rocky outcrops.

Although it may seem unusual to find large colonies of penguins in the coastal desert region of Peru, their presence is possible thanks to the Peruvian or Humboldt Current, which flows from Antarctica. This current originates from the upwelling of deep, cold waters, giving rise to the development of phytoplankton, the base of the marine food chain, which supports an abundant marine ecosystem and one of the greatest concentrations of seabirds on Earth.

After about one hour enjoying the views and sounds of the Ballestas Islands, we will return to the shore, arriving back at El Chaco Port in approximately 30 minutes.

Total excursion duration: around 2 hours