Explore the Ballestas Islands

The Ballestas Islands are part of Peru Paracas National Reserve. It is a group of rocky islands located off the Pacific coast of Peru near the town of Paracas, 3 hours south of Lima. The islands' sandy beaches at La Mina and Mendieta are absolutely legendary. In there, people can also see the Paracas Candelabra geoglyph, a huge hillside etching, which still baffles archaeologists today.

However, the Ballestas Islands is mostly famous for its majestically beautiful sceneries with various wildlife that would make every animal lovers fall in love. The islands, despite being rough and rugged, are home to countless colonies of sea lions, penguins, and seabirds, such as albatrosses, boobies, and pelicans. Thousands of animals and birds find shelter in the natural arches and caves, and the waters offer them a plentiful supply of food. because of this diversity of animals, the islands were once the center of a lucrative guano trade. However, today, they are strictly protected. To go to the Ballestas Islands, you'll have to use one of the local wildlife boat tours, and you can only go to some designated parts of the islands. Moreover, you cannot swim with the animals or walk on the islands, but you can get very close to them on the boat tour.