Palomino Islands: Day Trips and Tours from Lima

See wild and untamed nature on a Palomino Islands day trip from Peru. Visit the tiny island archipelago off the coast of Peru which is home to rare colonies of wildlife. Swim with sea lions and witness remarkable bird species in their natural environment.

Glimpse unusual rock formations and learn about the creatures and plant life that live on the islands. The Palomino Islands are a must-see for nature lovers in Peru.

How to get to Palomino Islands from Lima?

The Palomino Islands are located just a few miles off the coast of Peru near its capital city of Lima. The only way to reach the island is by boat which takes up to 1.5 hours. You can either charter a private catamaran or yacht at the Port of Callao, or take a guided tour.

Guided tour to Palomino Islands from Lima

The best way to visit the islands is on a tour boat from the main port in Callao. These trips are economically priced and usually include pickup and drop-off at your hotel or accommodation. The duration of the tours is typically from 2.5 to five hours.

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to Palomino Islands from Lima?

Your Palomino Islands day trip will usually begin with pickup at your hotel by car or minivan where you will make the short journey to the port of Callao. From here, you will board a speed boat and head off towards the Palomino Islands.

You will pass by the larger island of San Lorenzo before heading out to the tiny Palomino Islands. Here, you can see all manner of seabirds including, penguins, pelicans and more.

Take the opportunity to swim in the ocean directly from the boat with a neoprene wetsuit. Meet the curious sea lions that call the island home before heading back to port at Callao.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Palomino Islands?

There are only a few different tours to the Palomino Islands to choose from. Simply pick if you want to take a small group trip with other people or a private tour for you and your family or group. There are also longer and shorter excursions which you can select between.

Short guided tours to Palomino Islands from Lima and swimming with sea lions

These guided jaunts to Palomino Islands offer the chance to visit the Palomino Islands for a tour and swimming experience. Cruise away from the coast on a modern speedboat or yacht to the tiny islets of Palomino. See the variety of nature that calls the area home and take the chance to swim with sea lions.

These trips usually last around 2.5 to three hours and include pickup and drop-off at your hotel or accommodation in Lima. They usually include the use of swim equipment and neoprene wetsuits and all transport in the price of the trip.

Longer guided tours to Palomino Islands from Lima and swimming with sea lions

These tours give you the option to visit the Palomino Islands at a slower pace and also to visit other locations in the area. See the islands of San Lorenzo, El Fronton and Las Cavinazas before heading out to the Palomino Islands.

Swim with the sea lions and take a trip around the islands to discover its seabird colonies, including Humboldt penguins, pelicans and more. The tours last from around four to six hours.

Private tour to Palomino Islands from Lima

Take a guided Palomino Islands trip on a private boat. Tour the islands and swim with sea lions on these private excursions for just you and your group. If you want to visit the Palominos without the crowds, this is the way to do it.

How much does a tour to Palomino Islands from Lima cost?

The prices of Palomino Islands trips from Lima range from about US$50 to US$200 and all tour prices are per person. The short group tours cost on average between US$50 and US$70, and longer group trips are priced between US$70 and US$150. Private tours cost in the region of US$150 to US$200.

What will you see and do in Palomino Islands?

The Palomino Islands are small and can be experienced within a few hours. The most popular thing to do there is to swim with the many sea lions that call the islands home.

Put on a life jacket and neoprene wetsuit, and climb into the ocean straight from the boat. Be awed by the power of nature and the fascinating creatures that live off the coast of Peru.

See the variety of seabirds that inhabit the rocks, including Humboldt penguins, Peruvian pelicans, cormorants and gulls. Witness the thousands of sea lions that live wild on the islands and observe them in their natural habitat.

The tour will be guided and there will be a member of the crew in the water with you to ensure everybody's safety. The sea lions will probably come over to investigate and swim all around you.

This is the highlight of the tour and an opportunity to be relished by nature lovers who are keen to see these magnificent creatures in the wild.

When is the best time to visit Palomino Islands?

The best time to visit the Palomino Islands is probably between December and March, which are the sunniest months along the Pacific Coast. Outside of this time is considered dry season and the weather is, ironically, more cloudy and gray along the coastline.

Travel tips

• Book your Palomino Islands day trips in advance especially if traveling in the peak tourist season between December and March.
• Bring a towel and your swimwear, as well as clothes to change into after swimming.
• Pack a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, as the activity is all outdoors with no shade.
• Bring a bottle of water and stay hydrated.