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Palomino Islands

Palomino Islands: Our most recommended tours and activities

Palomino Islands: Swim with Sea Lions in the Pacific Ocean

1. Palomino Islands: Swim with Sea Lions in the Pacific Ocean

Embark on an incredible yacht tour to Palomino Islands and for the chance to witness Peru's incredible seabirds and marine wildlife and swim with thousands of sea lions in their natural habitat. First, get picked up from your hotel if you choose the relevant option when booking, otherwise make your own way to the meeting point in Callao. Start the tour from La Punta Bay where you will board a comfortable and safe yacht equipped with sophisticated navigation equipment, bathrooms, and other amenities. Sail out into the Pacific Ocean on an unforgettable 4-hour journey past the islands of Callao and along the coast of San Lorenzo Island. Pass a naval base and the El Frontón Island, where a maximum-security prison existed until the 1980s. Cruise along the coast of the Cabinzas Islands which are inhabited by several colonies of guano birds, until you finally reach the central attraction, the Palomino Islands. When you arrive, observe a colony of approximately 8000 sea lions, one of the largest in the area. Get kitted out with neoprene wetsuits and life jackets and take the opportunity to jump into the water as you get up close to these friendly animals. The tour will be under the surveillance and guidance of the experienced crew.

Callao: Swimming with Sea Lions Palomino Islands Boat Tour

2. Callao: Swimming with Sea Lions Palomino Islands Boat Tour

Meet your friendly crew then sail to the islands of Callao, travelling through the "El Camotal" underwater, open sea and passing by San Lorenzo Island.  At 11:30 AM, reach the farthest point, Palomino Island, which houses a large colony of sea lions. Here, you can freely swim alongside these great animals in neoprene suits. Then, at 12:35 PM, you will return to the meeting place in Calloa at Calle La Mar 229. Your return will begin through impressively shaped cliffs and islets. You will have the chance to enjoy a snack on board before arriving at the pier in Callao at 1:00 PM.

Lima: Sea Lion Swim and Wildlife Palomino Islands Cruise

3. Lima: Sea Lion Swim and Wildlife Palomino Islands Cruise

Cruise to Palomino Islands for a unique experience swimming with sea lions in the Pacific Ocean. Visit San Lorenzo Island, search for penguins, and enjoy birdwatching on a wildlife adventure from Lima. Set sail to the Palomino Islands from La Punta and stop at San Lorenzo Island. Learn the island's important role in the history of Lima from your guide. The 8-kilometer-long island is home to marine creatures including scallops, seabirds, and sea lions. Continue to the Palomino Islands, two islands that are part of a special ecosystem, where extraordinary marine wildlife coexists. Lack of predators means the ecosystem is bursting with wildlife of all types, including sea lions, penguins, and migratory seabirds. Jump off the boat into the clear, warm Pacific waters for a fun-filled swimming adventure with sea lions. Your guide will provide safety instructions and tips to make the most of your time with the playful marine mammals. If you are lucky, penguins might come and join the fun. After your exhilarating swim, head back to the mainland cruising past islets inhabited by guano birds and the second-largest colony of Humboldt penguins in Peru.

Lima: Callao City Tour and Boat Ride

4. Lima: Callao City Tour and Boat Ride

On this tour, get to know the culture and history of Lima and its best attractions. Visit the Real Felipe Fortress dating from the 18th century which was built by the Spaniards to protect themselves from invasion. It has since been converted into a museum where you can learn the stories of the naval battles and attacks that the fortress has withstood in its 3 centuries of history. Later, visit the Plaza Grau and the Historic Center of Callao. Admire graffitied walls, streets with many contrasts and several colonial-style buildings. Walk through the streets of Chucuito and admire the neighborhood's picturesque multicolored houses. You will also discover the city's best beaches and seafood restaurants here. Finally, stroll through the old resort of La Punta, where you will see beautiful beaches and 20th-century houses. Enjoy the sea breeze while admiring the Palomino Islands in the distance. Before ending your experience, enjoy excellent panoramic views of the entire coast on board a local boat ride around the La Punta and Callao beach areas.

Lima: Palomino Islands Speedboat Tour & Swim with Sea Lions

5. Lima: Palomino Islands Speedboat Tour & Swim with Sea Lions

Get back to nature and encounter the wildlife on the Palomino Islands on a half-day tour from Lima. Travel to Callao Harbor and board a speedboat fully equipped with snacks, hot and cold drinks, life jackets, and wet suits for you to swim with the sea lions. Cruise to the islands of El Camotal, San Lorenzo and Palomino, where you will be provided with a life jacket and wet suit on arrival.  Swim in the Pacific Ocean surrounded by friendly sea lions and get the opportunity to view many sea birds, such as red legged cormorants, pelicans, Humboldt penguins, the Inca tern, the Peruvian booby and the Guanay cormorant.

Palomino Islands Sea Lion Swimming Tour

6. Palomino Islands Sea Lion Swimming Tour

The guide will meet you at the detailed meeting point to start the Palomino Islands Sea Lion Swimming Tour. From there, we will sail to the Palomino Islands, located off the coast of the Constitutional Province of Callao. On the way, we will stop at the anchorage of yachts, warships and merchant ships. The archipelago consists of four small islets located 6 miles west of the port city of Callao, at the western coast of San Lorenzo Island. We will also pass by the San Lorenzo Island, an eight kilometers long island, the largest island of Peru. Then we will head towards the Palomino Islands, two islands that are part of an ecosystem of their own where extraordinary fauna of marine mammals as sea lions, and local migratory birds coexists. This small group of islands just off the coast of Lima, offers visitors a glimpse of the rich sea life along Peru’s coastline. Peru’s marine life includes sea lions, penguins, exotic birds and, if you’re lucky, even dolphins so make sure to bring your camera! Due to the lack of predators it is possible to swim with sea lions and penguins at close range and in complete harmony. This will be a special experience, a 100% recommended to everyone! Finally, we will start the return between islets, and the second largest Humboldt penguin colony in Peru, while a snack is served on board. After disembarking, you will be back to the meeting point.

Other Sightseeing Options in Palomino Islands

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What people are saying about Palomino Islands

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 142 reviews

Increíble experiencia. El personal muy atento y los animalitos de los más lindos posibles. Tuvimos un atraso y nos esperaron. Les recomendamos llevar GoPro. Uno más lo llevó y nos compartió el video. Fuimos la cantidad perfecta de personas (5). No hay maltrato, que es lo que más me encanta.

Wonderful experience, if you get sea sick it might be a little rough (I typically don’t and the there were around 20 minutes where I really started feeling it) but if you are willing to put up with that it’s a really amazing experience. Be sure to bring a waterproof camera with you!

The whole experience was wonderful. Ismael was a great guide and and gave all of us a lot of information about the history in the area. This was a great experience and I think that everyone who visits Lima should do it!

Excellent and exciting experience! Reality beats any expectations.

Amazing experience and feeling super safe thanks to the guide