Ballestas Island boat tour from San Martin port

Overview

From the port of General San Martin visitors can reach the best tours of areas such as Ballestas Islands, The Paracas National Reserve, and the Nasca Lines. The port of General San Martin is a small deep-water port located on the western side of Paracas Bay. It is relatively isolated as there is no settlement at the port and it is surrounded by desert terrain and the Paracas National Reserve, though it continues to serve the city of Pisco, which is some 25km away.

Be amazed Peru’s answer to the Galapagos Island on a fascinating waterborne tour of the Ballestas Islands. These islands are well protected as a national reserve and also are off-limits to people, though there are boat tours that take tourists to the islands and allow them to get a closer view.  Board your speed boat at a local Paracas pier and head out around the dramatically sculpted coast of Paracas Peninsula, part of a vast coastal desert reserve unique to this part of the world. During your journey, you’ll marvel at the famous Candelabro de Paracas, an enormous three-pronged earthwork etched into the hillside in the style of the Nazca Lines but we think that was made by the Paracas Civilization. Together with the cluster of offshore Ballestas Islands, this terrain comprises the most ecologically significant coastal wildlife sanctuary in Peru. You won’t disembark as you cruise around these protected islands, but your vessel will approach closely enough to observe some of the seabirds and marine mammals who live and breed there. Be on the lookout for Guanay cormorants, Peruvian boobies and pelicans, and Chilean flamingos. Agile Humboldt penguins and large colonies of lazy sea lions also congregate along these rocky shores. And don’t be fooled by the barren-seeming landscape; nutrient-rich upwelling waters from the Humboldt Current make this an extremely abundant fishing ground for animals – and seafood restaurants.

Why Book The Ballestas Island Tour Experience?

• Spot sea lions, flocks of cormorants, Humboldt penguins and tons of birds who frequent the food-rich Pacific waters along our Peruvian coast.
• Admire the famous Candelabra Geoglyph, a giant three-pronged figure etched into the sandy hills, which is more than 150m high and 50m wide

Itinerary

07:30 hrs. (or earlier) Our customers will be picked up from the San Martin port in Paracas at the time that your cruise disembarks then you will be transferred to the district of Paracas where is located the pier where you will board the speed boats for this memorable tour. The short ride from Port to the Pier will last approximately 25 min.

08:00 hrs. Once we have arrived at the pier of Paracas our representative who will be assisting you in buying local entrance fees reconfirming that you will board our speed boats to cruise the fabulous islands. the total tour lasts 2 hours.

10:30 hrs. At the end of the Ballestas island boat tour, we will drive you back to the San Martin port but before you still have time to have some snacks or fresh ceviche our famous awarded Peruvian dish made by local restaurants

End of the half-day tour

Inclusions on this Paracas shore tour:

• Convenient Pickup and drop-off from San Martin Port.
• All activities and transportation in a group.
• English and Spanish speaking local tour guide.
• Bottle of water

Exclusions:

• Entrance fees. 21 soles per person (7 USD) local payment at reception.
• Personal Travel Insurance.
• Food and alcoholic drinks.

Don’t forget your camera with a fully charged battery …!!

Be sure to check out our great range of  Paracas shore tours, like the Paracas National Reserve Tour and The Nazca Lines from Pisco airport.