Private Luxury Yacht to the Ballestas Islands
The Ballestas Islands from a private yacht, with champagne on board.
- Duration: ~2-3 hours
- Format: private
A private, upgraded way to experience the Ballestas Islands, aboard a small luxury yacht with champagne and canapes served on board. The route follows the same one most visitors take: departing from the pier at El Chaco in Paracas, passing the Paracas Candelabra -- a massive, unexplained geoglyph cut into the coastal cliffside -- on the way out, then circling the Ballestas Islands themselves to see its marine life and thousands of seabirds nesting on the rock formations. The difference from the standard tour is the boat and the pace: instead of a shared speedboat carrying dozens of passengers on a fixed schedule, this is a private charter with a smaller group, more comfortable seating, and food and drink service on board. Most visitors to Paracas take the standard shared boat, which is well-run and sees the same wildlife; this version is for travelers who specifically want a private, quieter, or more special-occasion experience on the water.
Why we chose it
- The same wildlife payoff as the standard tour -- the islands' marine life, seabirds and the Candelabra -- without sharing a small boat with a full load of other passengers.
- Champagne and canapes on board make it a genuine special-occasion upgrade, not just a pricier version of the same ride.
- A private charter allows more flexibility on timing and pace than the fixed-departure shared boats.
Highlights
- Private luxury yacht charter, departing from the Paracas pier (El Chaco)
- The Paracas Candelabra geoglyph, seen from the water en route
- Marine life and thousands of nesting seabirds at the Ballestas Islands
- Champagne and canapes served on board
- A smaller, private group instead of a shared speedboat
Ideal for
- couples and special occasions
- travelers who want a more private, relaxed time on the water
- small groups or families wanting a private charter
Practical information
- Duration
- ~2-3 hours round trip from the Paracas pier, similar to the standard tour's ~2 hours but with more flexibility since it's a private charter
- What to bring
- Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), a light jacket or windbreaker for sea spray and wind, and a camera -- the boat doesn't dock at the islands, so all viewing is from the water
- Good to know
- Mornings are calmest, before the afternoon wind picks up -- most departures, standard or private, run between 7am and 10am. Official visiting hours for the islands are 6am-1pm.
- Tips
- Confirm whether a life jacket is required and provided -- standard on all boat operators in Paracas regardless of boat type
Frequently asked questions
What wildlife will I actually see?
The islands' marine life, pelicans, Inca terns, and large numbers of nesting seabirds and cormorants along the Ballestas Islands' cliffs and caves -- the same wildlife as the standard tour.
How is this different from the standard Ballestas Islands tour?
The route and wildlife are the same. The difference is the boat: this is a private luxury yacht charter with champagne and canapes on board, instead of a shared speedboat with other passengers on a fixed schedule.
Do I need a life jacket?
Yes -- life jackets are standard safety equipment on all Ballestas Islands boat tours, private or shared, and are provided by the operator.
Will we get off the boat at the islands?
No -- landing on the Ballestas Islands isn't permitted for any tour, private or shared, in order to protect the wildlife. All viewing is from the boat.