Callao Islands & Swim with Sea Lions (Speedboat)

A fast, open speedboat ride from Callao to swim with wild sea lions -- quicker and closer to the water than the catamaran option.

  • Duration: 2 - 3 hours (plus transfer from hotel)
  • Format: shared, private

A smaller, open speedboat pulls out of the port of Callao and cuts straight across the bay toward the Palomino Islands, passing San Lorenzo Island along the way. Where a catamaran cruises, this boat runs fast and low over the water -- the ride is brisk and occasionally splashy, with everyone seated close together in orange life vests as the hull slaps over the swell and the port skyline shrinks behind the wake. The speed cuts the crossing time noticeably versus the larger boat. Once at the islands, the pace slows: the boat idles along cliffs packed with a colony of wild sea lions, seabirds crowd the rock ledges and arches overhead, and the crew hands out wetsuits for a swim right at the edge of the colony, with a small inflatable support raft nearby for anyone who wants a rest between dips. Sea lions circle at close range in the cold, clear water before the speedboat retraces its route back to Callao. It's the same wildlife encounter as the catamaran trip, delivered as a shorter, more physical boat ride for travelers who'd rather feel the speed than watch the scenery glide by.

Why we chose it

  • The same genuine wild sea lion colony as the catamaran trip, reached on a faster, more exhilarating boat ride.
  • A shorter time commitment on the water -- the speedboat's pace trims the round-trip crossing versus the larger boat.
  • An open, close-to-the-water ride that feels more like an adventure sport outing than a scenic cruise.

Highlights

  • Fast, open speedboat crossing from the port of Callao
  • Swim with a colony of wild sea lions at the Palomino Islands
  • Passes San Lorenzo Island en route
  • Wetsuit and life vest provided

Ideal for

  • travelers who want speed and a bit of an adrenaline edge over a leisurely cruise
  • nature and wildlife lovers with limited time
  • a half-day away from the usual city circuit

Practical information

Duration
2 - 3 hours on the water, plus transfer time from your hotel (the boat departs from the port of Callao) -- the open speedboat covers the crossing faster than the larger catamaran
What to bring
A swimsuit to wear under the provided wetsuit, a towel, sunscreen, a light windbreaker for the ride out (the open boat means more spray and wind than an enclosed vessel), and motion-sickness medication if you're prone to seasickness
Good to know
This is an open boat, so expect to get splashed on the way out and to feel the swell more directly than on a catamaran -- it's a bumpier, more physical ride, and seating is close together with everyone in life vests. Wetsuits are provided for the swim since the water is cold year-round (the Humboldt Current keeps it in the 60s F). The colony and boat traffic are busiest in the Peruvian summer (December-March); mornings tend to have calmer seas and a smoother crossing.
Difficulty
Easy in the water -- no swimming skill is required, since the wetsuit provides buoyancy and life vests are also worn. The boat ride itself is more physically jarring than the catamaran's, so it's better suited to guests comfortable with a fast, open-air ride over open water.
Accessibility
Limited -- boarding the speedboat and later entering the water involves a moving, open deck with no cabin or handrails to the same degree as a catamaran, which isn't suitable for guests with limited mobility. Not wheelchair accessible.

Frequently asked questions

How is this different from the catamaran version of this tour?

Same destination and wildlife -- the Palomino Islands and the sea lion colony -- but this is a smaller, open speedboat, so the ride out is faster, more exposed to spray and wind, and shorter than the catamaran crossing.

Is a wetsuit really provided, or do I need my own?

It's provided as part of the tour, along with a life vest -- you just need a swimsuit underneath.

Will I get wet on the ride out, not just during the swim?

Likely yes -- it's an open boat running at speed, so some spray over the bow and sides is normal, especially if there's any swell.

Do I need to know how to swim to get in the water with the sea lions?

Not really -- the wetsuit adds buoyancy and you also wear a life vest, so confidence in the water matters more than swimming ability.