Palomino Island Swimming with Sea Lions from Lima

Recommended by 94% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Peru

3 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Rather than just observing sea lions from the side of a boat, jump into the water and swim with these marine mammals during a boat tour of the Palomino Islands, a natural reserve within easy reach of Peru’s capital. Naturalist guides fill you in on the creatures’ unique biology and behaviour.

Get closer to sea lions than you would on typical boat tours
Stay active while on vacation during this swimming tour
Enhance your chance of spotting other wildlife with your guide
This compact tour is easy to fit into busy sightseeing schedules

What's Included

Boat tour around the islands of Callao
Protection fees and Boarding fees (Sernanp)
Nautical guide in English, Spanish
Swim with sea lions

Pick up and Drop Off from your hotel
Personal equipment, masks, warm clothes, raincoats, sunscreen, towels, etc.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

La Punta, Peru
Meeting point will be at Callao. The localisation exact will be send to you the day before the activity

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Start time
.10:30 am

What To Expect

Islas Palomino

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Near public transportation

Most travelers can participate
Departure should be between 10am to 11am depending on sea conditions. We will advise you the day before. The order and times of the excursions may vary depending on weather conditions, or depending on sea conditions, in order to stay safe. It sometimes happens that the sea is too rough to make the boat. If a weather report announcing a storm, we may cancel the boat tour or a part of the tour for security reasons (and a refund will be done).
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

georgia_h

It was a great trip. I had so much fun on the boat, The tour runs through the described stations. The guides accompanied us through the various activities, and we had a lot of fun! Definitely recommend it! Shoutout to our great guide, Jean!

Reviews

4.6

based on 17 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Amazing adventure

Amy_L, Sep 2026

Double check meeting point because we had some confusion. The guide and crew were wonderful! Amazing experience but the island of sea lions was very very smelly.

Absolute heaven of a day. Only complaint- it was tricky to find the meet up spot.

Mary_R, Jul 2026

If booking through viator confirm the meet up spot on the app before!!! We had the wrong one in the email!!! Thank god we found them because once we did everything ROCKED

Great experience! Was a...

Ashley_J, Jan 2025

Great experience! Was a little cold, so dress in layers for the boat ride, but it was fun to see the sea lions and penguins. Dennis was great!

Response from Host, Feb 2025

Thank you for your review! We’re so happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour with us. We hope to see you again on your next trip to Peru. Safe travels! ✈️

Perfect moment

mayeer_s, Oct 2024

Wonderful moment with the sea lions ! It was one of my favorite excursion in Peru. All was perfect , the tour, the team, the guide . Thanks !

Too long on a rocky boat for 20 or 30 minutes of swim time

Hollie_G, Apr 2024

Incredible oportunity to swim with sea lions in the wild! Would I do it again? Probably not. When I booked it online they said it would be 3 1/2 hours from 10 am done by 1:30. We were on a cruise ship docked in Callao. I thought it would be a 5 minunte drive to the dock and a short boat ride to the island. Due to the unsafe area of Callao, our cruise ship would not allow passengers off in that area. The only way to get off the ship was to take a shuttle in to Miraflores, an hour drive. Then we had to take a taxi back to the port and get on the boat. I got a text that morning asking if we would come a half hour earlier. Luckily it was in time to make it. I double checked to make sure the tour would be done at 1:30 so we could get the taxi back to Miraflores and then the shuttle back to the ship - a 2 hour transfer. She said no problem. But when I got to the dock to meet the tour Victor said it would be more like 4 or 4 1/2 hours which meant we would miss our ship debarkation time. I told him we would just have to cancel. He reassured us that they would be back in time - which they were - but the stress of it was not worth it and I think they shortened our swim time with the sea lions to make the time. The slow boat ride out to the island was over an hour on VERY bumpy and rocky ocean waves. Most of the people in my group got sea sick - not throwing up but awfully close. They had some wetsuits to use, depending on your size. The crew pulled a group of 4 or 5 people, hanging on to a life preserver, near the rocks to be close. It was very stinky. The sea lions were everywhere and swam very close and popped up all around us, which was incredible! The time was just too short. They provided water and chips to eat on the way back, for those who were feeling well enough to eat them. My advice: Sit on the top of the boat and watch the horizon, plan for a long trip. They had us put the wet suits on early and that made it more hot and increased the feeling of sea sickness - so keep it unzipped and open as much as possible. Bring a go-pro or a cover for your camera so you can take pictures. Don't do it as a ship shore excursion because the time was just too tight to enjoy it.

Great experience

georgia_h, Dec 2023

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thank you so much for your enthusiastic feedback! It warms our hearts to know that you had a fantastic trip with us. Glad to hear that you enjoyed the activities and our outstanding guide, Jean! Bon voyage and see you soon for more adventures!

One of our best exepriences in Peru

Alessandro_P, Nov 2023

Incredible experience to swim with the Sea lions ! The tour operator was good, it's was clear informations, nice persons with good advices. We enjoyed our tour.

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Thank you for your review Alessandra. It was a pleasure to serving you and glad to hear that you enjoy the tour.

My dream came true

Gaelle_R, Nov 2023

Incroyable ! Nous avons nages avec des lions de mer. C'etait un de mes reves. Le Peru, je crois que c'est le plus beau voyage de ma vie ! Merci a IZI PERU ! On a eu la chance d'avoir un cadeau pour notre voyage de noce !!!!!!!!! Je vous aime !

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Thank you for your review. It was a pleasure to serving you and glad to hear that you enjoy the tour.

Fun

georgia_h, Nov 2023

C'etait genial comme journee. Nous avons eu la chance d'avoir un magnifique soleil. Apres plusieurs jours de trek, c'etait agreable de nager avec es lions de mer. Merci IZI PERU !