Palomino Islands Yacht Tour and Swim Alongside the Sea Lions

The Palomino Islands Yacht Tour offers an unforgettable opportunity to witness the playful antics of sea lions in their natural habitat. After a scenic 45-minute journey from San Lorenzo Island, visitors can dive into the waters and swim alongside these charismatic marine creatures. Accompanied by knowledgeable guides and outfitted with life jackets, guests can safely observe a diverse array of wildlife, including Humboldt penguins and guano birds. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or simply seeking an exciting adventure, this tour promises an experience that will leave you captivated and yearning to explore further.

This experience made our list of the 7 Best Cruises And Boat Tours In Lima.

Key Points

• A 5-hour yacht tour that includes swimming with sea lions in the Palomino Islands and a guided tour of the nearby San Lorenzo Island.
• The tour is priced at €89.03 per person and offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
• The tour provides a live guide in English and Spanish and round-trip transportation from hotels in San Isidro, Barranco, and Miraflores.
• Visitors can expect to see diverse marine life, including Humboldt penguins and guano birds, during the tour.
• The tour is not suitable for children under 3 or pregnant women, and visitors are advised to bring recommended items and be prepared for strong wildlife odors.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Overview and Pricing

The Palomino Islands Yacht Tour offers a captivating excursion, priced at €89.03 per person, lasting approximately 5 hours.

Guests can enjoy a free cancellation policy up to 24 hours in advance and a live guide in English and Spanish.

The tour includes pickup from hotels in San Isidro, Barranco, and Miraflores, with transportation by bus/coach to the pier in Plaza Grau – Callao.

The yacht journey takes 45 minutes to reach San Lorenzo Island, where travelers can explore the island, observe marine wildlife, and enjoy swimming with sea lions at the Palomino Islands.

The tour ends around 12:30 p.m., with return transportation to the hotels.

Itinerary and Locations

The tour begins with pickup from hotels in San Isidro, Barranco, and Miraflores between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

After a 45-minute bus or coach ride, you’ll arrive at the pier in Plaza Grau – Callao.

From there, it’s a 45-minute yacht journey to San Lorenzo Island, where you’ll have a guided tour and break time for photos.

Next, you’ll visit the Palomino Islands to swim and observe marine life, including sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and guano birds.

The tour wraps up around 12:30 p.m. with return transportation to your hotels.

Wildlife and Marine Life

On this tour, visitors can experience swimming close to sea lions, one of the main attractions.

The islands are home to a diverse array of marine fauna, including the iconic Humboldt penguins and a variety of guano birds.

San Lorenzo Island, Frontón, and Cabinzas Islands are all included in the tour, allowing guests to observe these captivating creatures in their natural habitat.

While enjoying the up-close encounters, it’s important to be mindful of the strong odors emitted by the sea lions and other wildlife, and to acclimate accordingly.

The water temperature ranges from 7 to 19 degrees Celsius, depending on the season, so proper preparation is essential for a comfortable and memorable experience.

Inclusions and Exclusions

The tour includes the yacht excursion, entrance to SERNANP (the National Service of Natural Protected Areas), a lifejacket, a specialized guide, boat crew and instructor, as well as round-trip transportation.

However, the tour excludes food and drink. It isn’t suitable for children under 3 years old or pregnant women.

Visitors are advised to bring a passport/ID, sun hat, swimwear, towel, camera, and sunscreen. Alcohol, drugs, and littering aren’t allowed. A light breakfast is recommended to avoid motion sickness.

Sun protection is essential, and visitors should be aware of weather changes. Bathrooms are available on the yacht, and respect for the nature reserve is expected by avoiding waste and touching the animals.

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Preparation and Recommendations

Visitors’ preparation and recommendations for the Palomino Islands Yacht Tour include bringing a passport or ID, sun hat, swimwear, towel, camera, and sunscreen.

While alcohol and drugs aren’t permitted, a light breakfast is advised to avoid motion sickness. Sun protection is essential, as is awareness of weather changes.

Bathrooms are available on the yacht, and visitors should respect the nature reserve by avoiding waste and refraining from touching the animals.

Sea lions and other wildlife may have strong odors, so acclimatization may be needed.

The water temperature ranges from 7 to 19 degrees Celsius, depending on the season.

Exploring San Lorenzo Island

After disembarking the yacht, guests venture onto the picturesque San Lorenzo Island, a protected area administered by SERNANP.

A knowledgeable guide leads them on a fascinating one-hour tour, highlighting the island’s unique geology, flora, and fauna. Visitors can spot Humboldt penguins, guano birds, and other marine life that thrive in this delicate ecosystem.

The guide shares insights about the island’s history and conservation efforts, fostering a deeper appreciation for the fragile balance of this natural wonder.

With photo opportunities galore, guests capture the island’s rugged beauty and the remarkable wildlife that call it home.

The Palomino Islands yacht tour offers a chance to explore this remarkable corner of Peru’s coastline.

Palomino Islands Encounter

Leaving the serene shores of San Lorenzo Island behind, the yacht journey continues towards the Palomino Islands. This 20-minute voyage offers a unique opportunity to swim alongside the captivating sea lions that reside on these rocky outcrops.

Visitors can observe these playful marine mammals in their natural habitat, witnessing their graceful movements as they glide through the cool waters. In addition, the tour provides a chance to spot other diverse marine life, including Humboldt penguins and a variety of guano birds.

Equipped with life jackets and accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, visitors can safely enjoy this remarkable wildlife encounter, creating lasting memories of their Palomino Islands experience.

Logistics and Transportation

Commencing the Palomino Islands yacht tour, guests are transported by bus or coach from their hotels in San Isidro, Barranco, and Miraflores to the pier in Plaza Grau – Callao, a journey taking approximately 45 minutes. Upon arrival, they embark on a 45-minute yacht journey to the first destination, San Lorenzo Island. Here, they enjoy a guided tour, photo opportunities, and a break. Next, the yacht sails to the Palomino Islands, where guests can swim alongside sea lions and observe marine wildlife like Humboldt penguins and guano birds.

Inclusions	Exclusions
Yacht excursion	Food and drink
Entrance to SERNANP	Not suitable for children under 3 and pregnant women
Lifejacket
Specialized guide
Boat crew and instructor
Round trip transportation

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?

No, self-provided food and drinks are not permitted on the tour. The tour only includes the yacht excursion, entrance fees, and round-trip transportation. Participants must purchase any food and drink during the tour separately.

Is There an Option to Extend the Tour Duration?

According to the tour overview, the standard tour duration is 5 hours. There’s no mention of an option to extend the tour. Guests are advised to come prepared for the scheduled activities and duration.

Do I Need to Know How to Swim to Participate?

Swimming ability is not required to participate in the tour. Life jackets are provided, and guests can choose to simply observe the sea lions and marine life from the yacht if they prefer not to enter the water.

Can I Bring My Pet on the Tour?

Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the Palomino Islands Yacht Tour. The tour is focused on observing marine wildlife in their natural habitat, and bringing pets could disturb the delicate ecosystem. Guests are asked to respect the tour’s policies for the safety and enjoyment of all participants.

Is There a Discount for Families or Groups?

The tour operator does not offer any discounts for families or groups. The price is a flat rate of €89.03 per person, regardless of group size. Larger groups may be able to negotiate a reduced rate directly with the operator.

Recap

The Palomino Islands Yacht Tour offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to swim alongside captivating sea lions in their natural environment. With a scenic yacht journey, knowledgeable guides, and diverse wildlife sightings, this tour promises an unforgettable adventure. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or seeking a unique experience, the Palomino Islands Yacht Tour provides a safe and memorable way to connect with the marine world.

You can check if your dates are available here: