The Ballestas Islands in Perú are a group of rocky islands located on the Pacific coast near the city of Paracas. About 3 hours from Lima.
Nicknamed “The Mini Galapagos”, the islands are a must-see for all wildlife lovers as they are home to thousands of birds and mammals including penguins, sea lions, Inca larosterns, pelicans and dolphins.
The islands are protected reserves, which means that it is not possible to swim with the animals or walk on the islands themselves, but you will be very close to them by boat.
Location:
The Ballestas Islands in Perú are islands that are in the Pacific Ocean, near the coast of Peru.
They are located 260 km south of Lima, near the Paracas Reserve in the province of Pisco.
Animals of the Ballestas Islands:
ballestas-islas 
ballestas-islas
The abundant life that exists in the Paracas Bay and the islands is made possible by the cold Humboldt currents.
The Humboldt current is the one that fills the waters of the Ballestas Islands with plankton and microorganisms, further enriching this sea with schools of fish such as sole, cojinovas, croaker, toyos and anchovies.
The Humboldt Penguin
The Humboldt penguin is the only penguin species in Peru.
It lives on the desert coasts of Peru and Chile. He spends most of his life at sea, in the Peruvian Humboldt Current.
Other birds
Thousands of seabirds fly between the Ballestas Islands and their nests can be seen on the rocks, among them we have the pelican, condor, boobies, flamingos, etc.
Island Mammals
The sea lions probably come up to the boat and many penguins are seen on the hills and also in the water.
The sea lions stationed on the rocky beaches that hit the surf fight fiercely to maintain the hegemony of their harem, usually composed of 12 females.
Dolphins
Dolphins frequently visit the waters around the Ballestas Islands
The Ballestas Islands in Perú and their preservation
These areas are very well cared for and preserved by the Peruvian government, since there is the National Reserve System of Islands, Islets and Guaneras points, better known by its acronym (RNSIIPG), which is supervised by the National Service of Natural Areas.
Protected by the Peruvian state (SERNANP). This reserve was established in 2009, it is made up of 11 guano points and 22 islets and islands, from the great coast in front of Piura to Moquegua.
With an area of more than 140,833 hectares, these islands are under the protection of the Peruvian state, since their main objective is to care for and preserve a sample of the ecosystem of the Humboldt current, in Peru, where the South Pacific is located.
You will be surprised by the close experiences you will have with the sea lions, since you will be able to hear the cries that come from their packs, this sound is so loud that you will think they are around you.
Because a kind of 360 ° echo is formed, this makes it worth visiting the wonderful Ballestas Islands, you can also get close to this wonderful fauna, since these animals are mostly harmless.
How many islands make them up?
The Ballestas Islands are made up of three wonderful islands which are: Ballesta Norte, Ballesta Sur and Ballesta Centro, which make up the Paracas Reserve, where their fundamental priority is to protect and conserve the diversity of the marine ecosystem of the cold Humboldt current.
How to get to the Ballestas Islands in Perú?
There are many ways in which you can get to this wonderful island, but first, the first part of the journey must be done by land, from the city of Lima to the Ica province in Paracas.
The city of Lima has a number of transport companies that travel daily to the district of Paracas, the trip lasts from 3 to 4 hours depending on the traffic, since it covers the entire Pan-American South with more than 240 kilometers of travel.
Then a detour is made to go to the city of Pisco or Pozo Santo, this deviation is 75 kilometers, through the Pan-American South traveling north. It is essential that the transport company takes you directly to Paracas.
Ballestas Islands Boat Tour
Tourists can get here by means of water boats from the Paracas spa, near Pisco, enjoying the circuit and the adventure involved in reaching the place.
During the Ballestas Islands Boat Tour, is also possible to appreciate El Candelabro, a cactus-shaped geoglyph, 130 meters high, drawn with ditches dug into the side of a hill.
In the cities of Paracas and Pisco you can buy tickets for a tour of the Ballestas Islands by boat. The normal cost to write is 40 PEN per person. The walk is 2 hours – 30 minutes to arrive, 30 minutes to return, and one hour to see the animals and birds.
Tourists are not allowed to disembark on these islands, so as not to disturb the animals that live there, but the boats are close enough for them to enjoy the beauty of these animals.
Information about Ballestas Islands Boat Tour
- Hours: First Tour: 08:00 am, Second Tour: 10:00 am
- Duration: 2 hours
What to Bring to the Ballestas Islands Boat Tour?
Due to the increasing winds during the course of the day, the Ballestas Islands boat tours only depart in the mornings at 08:00 am and 10:00 am every day. In general, we advise doing the tour at 08:00 am, as the weather conditions are better, as well as to observe the wildlife.
- A shirt for the wind or a jacket.
- Sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen.
- Camera or cell phone to take photos.
