Sea lions
On rocks by the boat.
PsamatheM — CC BY-SA 4.0 · PsamatheM — CC BY-SA 4.0 · PIERRE ANDRE LECLERCQ — CC BY-SA 4.0 · tamara semina — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Alex Zanuccoli — CC BY-SA 2.0 · tamara semina — CC BY-SA 3.0
A group of small rocky islands off the Paracas coast, nicknamed the «poor man's Galápagos» for their abundant wildlife; they are a key refuge for ocean birds and animals: Humboldt penguins, sea lions and fur seals, Peruvian pelicans, and boobies and cormorants in huge numbers. Speedboats leave the Paracas pier in the morning for a trip of about two hours, passing on the way the giant «Candelabra» figure carved into a sandy hillside, whose maker and date are unknown. They then circle the islands among rock arches and caves, without landing, to protect the animals. Sea lions lounge on the rocks and small beaches and sometimes come close to the boats, and birds cover the island tops in their thousands. The islands are an old source of guano, a fertiliser made from bird droppings, so the smell is strong up close. Trips run in the morning because the wind picks up in the afternoon, and they may be cancelled in rough seas. Sit on the open side for photos, bring a hat and a light jacket, and do not feed the animals.
On rocks by the boat.
On a tropical coast.
A hillside mystery.
Off the Paracas coast; boats from the tourist pier in Paracas town, about 3.5 hours by road south of Lima
No, the trip circles the islands by boat only, to protect the wildlife. Boats get close, though, so you see sea lions and penguins up close.