Palomino Islands Boat Trip from Lima: Worth It?

A half-day boat trip to the Palomino Islands gets you out of Lima’s traffic and into cold Pacific water where hundreds of sea lions hang out on rocky outcrops. The ride from Callao harbor takes about 90 minutes each way. Once there you spend roughly 15-20 minutes in the water with the animals (wetsuits and snorkel gear provided) before the boat circles the islands to spot Humboldt penguins, boobies and pelicans. Expect rolling swells, loud barking sea lions, and the strong smell of guano. It’s a genuine wildlife encounter rather than a sanitized tourist float, but it can feel crowded when multiple boats arrive at the same time.

Best time is November to March when the sea is calmer and visibility is better for swimming; June to October brings colder water, bigger swells and more chance of rough rides. Expect to pay around $70-90 for a basic wildlife-viewing boat or $110-140 if you want to get in the water with the sea lions. Add another $15-25 for transport from central Lima if not included.

Pick the swimming tour if you’re comfortable in cold water and actually want to be close to the animals; otherwise save money and just do the boat-only version. Skip the add-on “gourmet lunch” — it’s usually mediocre and you’ll be back in Lima in time for a proper meal.