Ballestas Islands tour from Pisco CRUISESHIP TERMINAL
Recommended by 91% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Paracas, Peru
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
The Paracas Peninsula and Ballestas Islands are just a short trip from Pisco, but they feel a world away. Get a chance to see an enigmatic prehistoric design drawn into the side of a hill, and then look out for wildlife like birds and sea lions as you navigate the Ballestas Islands by boat. Return to the Pisco main square at the end of your tour.
- Visit the Paracas Peninsula and Ballestas Islands from Pisco
- Combine two popular Pisco day trips into one booking
- Great value for a fun day away from the city
- All transportation included with hotel pickup
What's Included
- Pickup and drop-off from San Martin Port Pisco.
- Modern SpeedBoat for Ballestas Islands.
- Life jacket and all safety equipment.
- English speaking tour guide.
- Bottle of Water.
- Private transportationWe offer our own transport for all our clients for pick up and drop off from/to San Martin Port
- Food and drinks, unless specified.
- Entrance fee for Ballestas Islands$5.00 per person
- Tips are not included
- Travel Insurance.
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
All our shore excursions in Pisco start directly from the San Martín Port—no need to take the cruise shuttle service. Our team will be waiting for you right at the port entrance from 8:00 AM onwards. We operate our own modern, comfortable buses exclusively for our clients, and we are fully authorised with all the required permits to enter the port and carry out tourist operations safely and professionally. We also guarantee your timely return to the ship, so you can relax and enjoy your excursion with complete peace of mind. Book with confidence—our reliable service ensures a seamless experience from the moment you disembark.
Itinerary
Las Islas Ballestas (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Karen_H
We had the absolute best time on this tour. The information provided several days before we arrived was incredibly detailed.
The tour guides on both the bus and the boat were fabulous
This is a must do tour with a really caring company
Reviews
4.6
based on 43 reviews
Greg_W, Mar 2026
This was a terrific nature-based, scenic excursion at an affordable price. It was well organized and the guides were also excellent.
Cindy_M, Dec 2025
Uncrowded boats, guide spoke good English. LOTS of wildlife and Penguins! Plus a thorough tour of the Balletas pointing out lots of extra goodies. Return trip included a trip to the National Park and a beautiful red sand beach.
Judith_D, Oct 2025
Great day out. Didn’t see many penguins or seals. Could be the time of year but still a great experience especially the side trip on the way back to the port. Highly recommend
Karen_H, Sep 2025
We had the absolute best time on this tour. The information provided several days before we arrived was incredibly detailed.
The tour guides on both the bus and the boat were fabulous
This is a must do tour with a really caring company
GaryandSue_Y, Sep 2025
What a fantastic tour. Plenty of communication prior to the tour, and pick up from the cruise ship was as easy as they stated.
Nice comfortable coach, complete with USB charging.
Our tour guide made sure we all understood the directions, and we had adequate "free time" in town after the Island cruise.
The sights out on the speed boat were spectacular - knowing our chances of seeing things was completely up to Mother Nature - she did not disappoint
The additional sightseeing on the way back to the ship was a bonus and provided some excellent photo opportunities.
I would highly recommend this tour!
Sarah_Y, Jun 2025
This was a sham. From cruise port there was complimentary shuttle to take us to this place and back. We could have purchased the boat trip ticket right at the dock. The worst part is that this company just left us there, without knowing how we are supposed to get back to the ship (then we learned about the free shuttle). I should have demanded some refund! It happened last Nov. The boat tour (which is independent from this) was a fun experience. Just go to the dock and buy the ticket right there for less.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear Sara,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re truly sorry to hear that your experience did not meet expectations, and we would like to clarify a few important points to provide better context for future travellers:
Booking Options and Pricing: It’s absolutely true that travellers can choose to purchase tickets directly at the dock. However, please note that booking through third-party platforms such as Viator usually includes additional service and commission fees, which can increase the overall price. We always encourage guests to compare options to find what suits them best.
Our Price vs Cruise Line Prices: While we understand that pricing is a concern, we would like to highlight that our tour remains competitively priced—often significantly lower than what is offered through cruise lines, which tend to mark up the same services by a large margin.
Post-Tour Return Shuttle: At the conclusion of the boat tour, our team asked whether guests wished to return immediately via our own transport. In your case, you chose to remain at the port area, and we made sure to give you clear directions to the complimentary port shuttle service, which many cruise passengers use freely throughout the day.
It’s important to note that the dock area is a busy and active tourism hub, with multiple companies and options available, which can sometimes create a bit of confusion, especially for first-time visitors. We always do our best to guide and inform our guests clearly and kindly.
We truly regret that you felt unsupported, as our intention is always to ensure a smooth, enjoyable, and safe experience. We genuinely appreciate your comments, and we’ll continue improving communication at every stage of the tour.
Warm regards,
JD ADVENTURE TRAVEL
Julianne_E, May 2025
We really enjoyed our trip out to the islands to experience all the bird life and sea life up close and en mass. This was a very well organised trip which was a total delight from start to end.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you ever so much for your kind words! We're absolutely thrilled to hear that you thoroughly enjoyed your trip to the islands and had the chance to experience the incredible bird and sea life up close. It's wonderful to know that everything felt well organised and delightful from start to finish.
We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, and we’d be delighted to welcome you back for another adventure in the future!
Terrance_C, Mar 2025
The tour operator, Jose, communicated well via WhatsApp. We were picked up from the dock right outside the ship as promised. The ride to town was comfortable with Jose narrating. Upon arrival to Paracas Jose turned us over to our port guide, Juan, who took the group for a bathroom break before we boarded our boat to Isla Ballestas. On the way we stopped for pictures at the “Candelabro de Paracas” where Juan gave an explanation of the site. From here we carried on to Isla Ballestas where we had a great tour of the Island seeing penguins, sea lions and a large variety of bird and sea life. Juan explained everything and answered any questions. Upon return to shore we reconnect with Jose. Those who wanted to return back to the ship were clearly instructed. Jose offered a guided tour, on the road back to the ship, of the museum and the natural reserve to anyone who wished to participate. This tour took place about an hour later giving time for lunch and exploring the port. Unbelievably this unexpected tour was at no charge (except for a $2 USD charge for museum). This extra tour was fantastic and our new guide Alex was exceptional. The museum was great, with signage in English, although Alex explained everything. From here we toured the natural reserve which was fascinating. The scenery was other worldly. We had never seen a red sand beach so this was a treat. Lots of time for pictures. We arrived back at the ship with no problems. Thank you Jose from JD Adventure Travel for turning our tour from great to an exceptional experience.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear guest,
Thank you ever so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful and detailed review of your experience with us at JD Adventure Travel.
We’re absolutely delighted to hear that everything ran smoothly from the moment you were picked up at the dock, and that both Juan and Alex contributed to making your day memorable. It’s lovely to know that you enjoyed the boat tour to the Ballestas Islands, and that the wildlife sightings and explanations made the experience even more special.
We’re particularly pleased that you appreciated the additional tour to the museum and the Paracas National Reserve. We always aim to go the extra mile for our guests, and it’s wonderful to hear that this unexpected bonus helped turn a great day into an exceptional one.
Thank you once again for choosing us — it was truly a pleasure to host you. We hope to welcome you back to Paracas in the future for more unforgettable adventures.
Warm regards,
Jose
JD Adventure Travel
DAVID_S, Mar 2025
Sit on left side (port). Much better views. Had to ask driver to turn boat for us to see. We saw a total of 4 Penguins, quite misleading, disappointing and not up to expectations.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're truly sorry to hear that the experience did not meet your expectations. Please note that the Ballestas Islands are a protected natural reserve, and as such, the presence and visibility of wildlife — including penguins — can vary from day to day. While we always strive to offer the best possible viewing opportunities, we have no control over the movement or number of animals present, as they are in their natural habitat.
We appreciate your understanding and hope you were still able to enjoy the beauty of the islands and the overall tour experience.
Philip_E, Mar 2025
Excellent trip with 3 friendly and knowledgable guides Jose, Juan and Alex for the different stages of the trip. Excellent value and service visiting the Ballestas Islands, Museo De Sitiio and Catedral together with a visit to the town of Paracas.
Elizabeth_G, Mar 2025
We had a wonderful time on this tour! Our guide was friendly and informative. We saw penguins, many gorgeous shore birds and sea lions and their babies! The candelabra was amazing! The boat captain did a fantastic job of getting close with out pestering the wildlife. He skillfully avoided rocks and made sure both sides of the boat got great views. Thanks so much!
Greg_F, Mar 2025
Picked up boat in Paracas. 30 minutes to islands. Saw penguins, sea lions and LOTS of birds. Very interesting. Outstanding guide.
Nancy_C, Mar 2025
This is one of the top tours we have ever taken. The wildlife was abundant and the boat pilot made sure that each side would have equally fantastic photos.
The pickup point was where the cruise ship docked and there was no need to take the shuttle. Excellent tour
Carl_G, Jan 2025
A little chaotic get into the pier and waiting to board, but well worth the wait! The boat ride a little bouncy and a little cool but again, well worth the ride.!
Rita_E, Jan 2025
Enjoyed the excursion very much! Bring a warm jacket and a hat, the ride to the islands and back can be windy and bumpy,
RobertoC_P, Jan 2025
A great experience to see sea lions in their habitat and enjoy a boat ride. You can also watch beautiful views
Chrisj5, Jan 2025
Very well organised and knowledgeable guide - saw lots of wildlife and learnt about the landscape and history of the islands. Really enjoyed the trip
Elizabeth_O, Jan 2025
We were met promptly at the gangway to our ship as promised. Everyone was really friendly and very helpful. Our speedboat ride to the Islands was an experience of a lifetime. We saw so much wildlife and Penguins! We took the extra opportunity to continue to the Paracas National Park which was stunning with extraordinary landscapes. The Guide stayed with us for both tours and she was incredibly knowledgeable. Highly recommend these guys.
Joseph_W, Jan 2025
The tour operator was excellent and very responsive. The guides were very knowledgeable and friendly. There was a great deal of wildlife to see and the beauty of the islands were fantastic. Getting to go with the locals was great way to experience the journey.
Sue_O, Dec 2024
They picked us up right off the ship’s gangway! Boat was nice, seats were comfy. Bring a coat, it was cold even in December.
Roberta_C, Dec 2024
Jose and his crew were amazing!! Great attention to detail. I would never hesitate to book with them again.
Deb_L, Dec 2024
A fabulous couple of hours to visit the island so many birds and to see the penguins and sea lions so close up was the icing on the cake… the whole process of booking etc was effortless, the guide excellent, a very comfortable boat and a wonderful shore excursion from the ship, communication was of a high standard, I highly recommend
Cynthia_P, Dec 2024
The communication from the tour operator was excellent. We had a great time. Great tour! Pick up was flawless.
Barbara_Y, Dec 2024
Amazing experience. Boat pilot was very skilled and got up and close to the wildlife in very choppy conditions. Last minute booking was handled easily via chat. Will use Viator again.
Linda_K, Dec 2024
We had a wonderful tour with JD Adventures. Our guides were friendly and knowledgeable. From booking through to the day of tour the level of communication with/from the tour provider was exceptional. Though our cruise company said no outside tour companies were allowed in the port we were assured pickup would be at the port and it was. Thank you JD Adventures for a memorable day in Paracas and the Ballestas.
John_L, Dec 2024
The boat tour was excellent and do beautiful. We especially liked seeing the penguins and the sea lions close up.
Jeri_B, Dec 2024
First of all, our tour guides were fantastic. They shared so much information , beginning when we got on the bus to take us to Paracus. Once we boarded the speedboat, our driver (captain?) was excellent. He knew where all the animals were located and made sure to slowly turn the boat around so that all sides were able to take some great photos.
Overall, a wonderful trip and would highly recommend this experience.
Curt_W, Nov 2024
This trip turned out to be one of my favorites of our 17-night cruise. We took the speedboat out with about 30 people, all safely fitted with life vests. We jetted out to Ballastas Island and saw seas lions playing and resting, a few Peruvian Penguins, many Boobies, plus colorful crabs and starfish. Gorgeous land and seascapes too. It was a little breezy but who cares? Great narrative by our guide and a super fun trip. Extra points for a few fun hours spent at the tourist town of Paracas. Excellent food and drink there. Would do this again for sure.
Barbarella, Aug 2024
Our guides were waiting for us at the port and very organised in getting us to the speedboat for our trip to Ballestas Island. The boat was comfortable and the ride across great. We saw penguins, sea lions, vultures and other birds. We also got to see the Candelabra and then it was back to shore. We strolled around the markets and had lunch in one of the many cafes/restaurants. The shuttle to the port was available close by. The tour guide was able to answer any questions we had.
Jane_S, Jul 2024
Not what I expected. There was hardly any wildlife. Most if the time was spent in a queue and going out and back to the islands.
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Ballestas Islands tour from Pisco CRUISESHIP TERMINAL
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