Our first tour excursion in Peru was a two-hour boat ride to view the Ballestas Islands. We rode on a standard tour boat out of Paracas Harbor (in the region of Pisco), about four hours drive south of Lima.
The Ballestas are now a marine wildlife sanctuary. These islands are home to a number of marine bird species including penguins. They also provide sanctuary for sea lions, fur seals, and several other species of marine mammals. At one time, they were mined for the layer of bird guano (bird shit) that covers the islands, which was once valuable for it’s nitrogen content and used as fertilizer. Due to the development of artificial nitrogen fertilizer, guano now has little commercial value. But the birds continue to deposit their layers of guano over these rocky islands.
We got close enough by boat that the scent of these islands was noticeable.
Images of the Ballestas Islands
Humboldt penguins on the Ballestas Islands in Peru
Humboldt penguins on the Ballestas Islands in Peru, one of the different types of marine animals on these islands.
The Paracas Candelabra on the northern face of the Paracas Peninsula at Pisco Bay in Peru
The Paracas Candelabra, also known as the Candelabra of the Andes, or El Candelabro (the Trident), is visible on the northern face of the Paracas Peninsula at Pisco Bay in Peru. Pottery found nearby has been radiocarbon dated to 200 BCE, the time of the Paracas culture. The design is cut 2 ft into the soil, with stones possibly from a later date placed around it. The figure is 560 ft tall and 200 ft wide, large enough to be seen 12 mi at sea.
Humboldt penguins on the Ballestas Islands in Peru
Humboldt penguins on the Ballestas Islands in Peru, one of the different types of marine animals on these islands.
Humboldt penguins on the Ballestas Islands in Peru
Humboldt penguins on the Ballestas Islands in Peru, one of the different types of marine animals on these islands.
Rocky Formations of the Ballestas Islands of Peru
Rocky Formations of the Ballestas Islands in Peru. These islands are an important sanctuary for marine life such as the Humboldt penguin, cormorants, Peruvian booby, Peruvian pelican, the Inca tern, and two types of seals.
Rocky Formations of the Ballestas Islands of Peru with Inca Terns
Rocky Formations of the Ballestas Islands in Peru. These islands are an important sanctuary for marine life such as the Humboldt penguin, cormorants, Peruvian booby, Peruvian pelican, the Inca tern, and two types of seals.
Sea Cave Formations of the Ballestas Islands of Peru
Rocky Formations of the Ballestas Islands in Peru. These islands are an important sanctuary for marine life such as the Humboldt penguin, cormorants, Peruvian booby, Peruvian pelican, the Inca tern, and two types of seals.
Rocky Formations of the Ballestas Islands of Peru with Inca Terns
Rocky Formations of the Ballestas Islands in Peru. These islands are an important sanctuary for marine life such as the Humboldt penguin, cormorants, Peruvian booby, Peruvian pelican, the Inca tern, and two types of seals.
Humboldt penguins on the Ballestas Islands in Peru
Humboldt penguins on the Ballestas Islands in Peru, one of the different types of marine animals on these islands.
Sea Cave Formations of the Ballestas Islands of Peru
Rocky Formations of the Ballestas Islands in Peru. These islands are an important sanctuary for marine life such as the Humboldt penguin, cormorants, Peruvian booby, Peruvian pelican, the Inca tern, and two types of seals.
Sea Cave Formations of the Ballestas Islands of Peru
Rocky Formations of the Ballestas Islands in Peru. These islands are an important sanctuary for marine life such as the Humboldt penguin, cormorants, Peruvian booby, Peruvian pelican, the Inca tern, and two types of seals.
Sea Cave Formations of the Ballestas Islands of Peru Formations of the Ballestas Islands of Peru
Rocky Formations of the Ballestas Islands in Peru. These islands are an important sanctuary for marine life such as the Humboldt penguin, cormorants, Peruvian booby, Peruvian pelican, the Inca tern, and two types of seals.
Rocky Formations of the Ballestas Islands of Peru
Rocky Formations of the Ballestas Islands in Peru. These islands are an important sanctuary for marine life such as the Humboldt penguin, cormorants, Peruvian booby, Peruvian pelican, the Inca tern, and two types of seals.
Sea Cave Formations of the Ballestas Islands of Peru
Rocky Formations of the Ballestas Islands in Peru. These islands are an important sanctuary for marine life such as the Humboldt penguin, cormorants, Peruvian booby, Peruvian pelican, the Inca tern, and two types of seals.
Sea Lion on a Rocky Perch of the Ballestas Islands of Peru
A sea lion on a rocky perch of the Ballestas Islands. These islands are an important sanctuary for marine life such as the Humboldt penguin, cormorants, Peruvian booby, Peruvian pelican, the Inca tern, and two types of seals.
Rocky Formations of the Ballestas Islands of Peru
Rocky Formations of the Ballestas Islands in Peru. These islands are an important sanctuary for marine life such as the Humboldt penguin, cormorants, Peruvian booby, Peruvian pelican, the Inca tern, and two types of seals.
Sea Lions sunbathing on the Ballestas Islands of Peru
A small colony of sea lions sunbathing on the rocks of the Ballestas Islands. These islands are an important sanctuary for marine life such as the Humboldt penguin, cormorants, Peruvian booby, Peruvian pelican, the Inca tern, and two types of seals.
Rocky Formations of the Ballestas Islands of Peru with an Inca Tern
Rocky Formations of the Ballestas Islands in Peru. These islands are an important sanctuary for marine life such as the Humboldt penguin, cormorants, Peruvian booby, Peruvian pelican, the Inca tern, and two types of seals. This is a closeup of an Inca Tern.
Sea Lion on a Rocky Perch of the Ballestas Islands of Peru
A sea lion on a rocky perch of the Ballestas Islands. These islands are an important sanctuary for marine life such as the Humboldt penguin, cormorants, Peruvian booby, Peruvian pelican, the Inca tern, and two types of seals.
Sea Lion on a Rocky Perch of the Ballestas Islands of Peru
A sea lion on a rocky perch of the Ballestas Islands. These islands are an important sanctuary for marine life such as the Humboldt penguin, cormorants, Peruvian booby, Peruvian pelican, the Inca tern, and two types of seals.
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Bonus Video
In between photos, I tried experimenting with a little video. This clip is of our boat backing out of a cove on one of the larger islands. This video cuts off abruptly as my GoPro battery went dead.
I have to admit, our boat driver knew how to handle his boat.
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