Palomino Islands Excursion Review: Lima Day Trip Guide

Planning a trip to Peru, that special adventure so you’re looking for unusual day trips near Lima, is that right? The From Lima Excursion to the Palomino Islands in Callao Bay, oh, that’s something I know a thing or two about! This half-day tour, it promises an unusual opportunity, so that’s getting up close with hundreds, very, very, many sea lions in their natural habitat. This review, so it will explore every single part of the tour, as a matter of fact, from the booking process to the chilly Pacific waters. By the way, is the Palomino Islands trip really worth adding to your Peru adventure? Actually, let’s find out!

Booking the Palomino Islands Tour: First Impressions

Booking the tour, as I was saying it’s usually a pretty simple process. Many companies, very much many tour companies in Lima offer this excursion, yet comparing them is always a smart move, pretty smart I reckon. Price, you know that includes what exactly, that could very well differ. What’s more, small group options, actually they are available, in that case offering a more intimate experience, or so I’ve been told. I went with a mid-range priced tour that seemed to strike a balance between cost and offered goodies. By the way, transfers to Callao, alright from Miraflores, pretty important! That was, oh it was included, so it sealed the deal. Anyway, the initial emails, just so that was professional and clear. They gave me the impression that these operators, they had their stuff together, clearly.

The online descriptions, basically they painted a picture of an island paradise, oh, teaming with wildlife. But really? You always wonder, definitely always that wonder. Some tours throw in lunch, for example ceviche, and stuff by the sea after the boat trip. It all sounds idyllic, alright. Making sure the tour operator is registered and well-reviewed, well it is really worth doing, as I see it. Red flags? Yeah, avoid those! Just that lack of clear communication or rock-bottom prices, you may want to avoid. Often, so that might mean cutting corners with safety or that marine conservation stuff, it tends to be, as I was saying.

Setting Sail: The Boat Trip to Palomino

The departure point, right it’s Callao, Peru’s main port, anyway just a short ride from Lima’s main tourist zones, you know the tourist traps like Miraflores and Barranco, kind of. The harbor itself, you know that had a gritty, that working vibe. It just contrasts sharply with those fancy neighborhoods nearby, but that just adds to the adventure, and stuff! On the way to Palomino, really that’s just you cruise past a few islands, and of course the guide just gives you some historical facts and information about that local marine life, really important that part.

The boat, it might be a little packed, by the way, as a matter of fact it just depends on the tour. So you definitely try to get a spot by the rail, that helps heaps I think, so you get an amazing view. As for the ride, very smooth generally. Just unless the sea’s being very extra, by the way. What I noticed was the anticipation growing among the group, I mean everyone was wanting to see those sea lions so badly! The guide, they threw in interesting tidbits about the islands along the way, as a matter of fact making the trip kind of informative, for example. I think it’s really interesting to get to learn the history and some cultural details and all the background before a big dive, don’t you think?

Swimming with Sea Lions: The Highlight

Swimming with Sea Lions Palomino Islands

As you reach the Palomino Islands, wow that is, so a rocky outcrop kind of, completely taken over with the sea lions, I mean very overrun it seems. The sound, that cacophony, like it hits you first, alright so barking and bellowing just fills the air. The smell, that’s strong, yeah, really it’s strong. Yet, all this builds the excitement. Then it’s time to gear up, so wetsuits are often included in the tour. Anyway, I really suggest confirming that when you’re booking that thing.

Slipping into the water, alright that Pacific, ooh it’s chilly, that’s an honest thing to admit. Seriously, that wetsuit makes a big difference I swear! Swimming closer to the islands, well, that’s the point when those sea lions, wow so they start surrounding you, alright it’s an unreal experience I will tell you. Those guys are naturally curious, or so it seems, alright not threatening I would assume. They get closer to investigate, but definitely they keep their distance. Sure, follow the guide’s directions and all that safety talk, by the way respect the wildlife. Those moments, kind of interacting with the animals in their space, kind of amazing! Really makes this trip exceptional if you ask me.

Other Wildlife Encounters: Not Just Sea Lions

Sea lions, yeah they are the headliners, as I see it, however the Palomino Islands, also there’s all sorts of birdlife. Oh, spotting various seabirds, oh very thrilling. So for example, Peruvian boobies and Inca terns, those are just adding to the appeal. The boat trip itself, really that just gives chances for observing marine ecosystems kind of.

Sometimes, and if you are just super lucky, you might spot the odd thing or two, so just a dolphin, sometimes, I heard it sometimes happens, but oh man that makes it truly memorable that experience! I think the guide, I mean the guide knew all the hot spots for viewing animals, so that enhanced, just helped those wildlife viewing odds! Seeing the different types of wildlife there, is that adds an enriching layer, so really, very above just swimming with sea lions. Actually I find that quite fascinating and really really worth doing if you have the chance.

Practical Tips for the Palomino Islands Excursion

What to bring, yeah that’s what you need to know. You need a swimsuit of course! Oh and that warm layers. By the way, the sea breeze really that makes it much cooler when you’re at sea. Sunscreen, you might know, it’s vital, really because that equatorial sun, seriously that is super intense. A waterproof camera, I do like those, for example a GoPro or something similar. Basically, it just lets you capture those moments in the water, by the way really without any worry.

Best time to go, kind of like that dry season, as a matter of fact that’s between December and March, anyway that gives you the calmer seas and just some great weather conditions I tell you. Seasickness, basically if you’re prone to it, kind of consider something, right maybe taking medication ahead of time, I tell you that can help heaps. Safety is key, so I think listening to that crew’s instructions, that’s non-negotiable basically. Keep a respectful distance from animals, for instance, really even if you’re super tempted to cuddle a sea lion!

Is the Palomino Islands Excursion Worth It? My Conclusion

So, summing up my time swimming near those Palomino Islands, I really thought, oh wow this really does stand out like a very exceptional adventure near Lima if you think to add it. Kind of getting face-to-face with those sea lions, it really has something unusual about it and kind of memorable at the end of the day. While those other boat tours out of Callao, that might seem cool or more tempting and kind of budget-friendly I can see that! But actually, this specific encounter, well that’s something quite unique to share with friends or family and people around you once you get back home. The tour operators there seem just, very fine basically I couldn’t notice that there was much of a problem. A little bit pricey yeah, that is for sure. I think a little bit pricey at the end, well as for any tours out of Miraflores and stuff near Lima and Peru, by the way that adds that touch of professionalism, just some local expertize to do that little half-day escape in Callao Bay that everybody is so hyped up about in the country!

At the end, would I tell friends and people about you reading me to go see these cool sea lions in their waters? Actually, 100% I will, anyway I had an exceptional time to tell you about!

FAQ About the Palomino Islands Excursion

What should I wear for the Palomino Islands tour?

I really suggest bringing your best ever swimming suit. Anyway I really insist in those comfy clothes, yet very something that’s really quick and dryable because there’s always some splashes. Anyway those layers, are your biggest ally against the elements on the high seas, yeah I’m talking to you! Sunscreen, really needs a super reapplication by the way after the ocean dip you want to stay with that thing!

Are there any age restrictions for the tour?

Normally, you know that children as I am talking to you I would be talking for ages of 6 and more are alright, but with adults for example, people who need assistance in all those outdoor adventure stuff. What’s more, I’m just assuming that those operators will throw that question if someone needs it to prevent future problems or stuff like that.

Is it safe to swim with sea lions?

The tour groups? By the way all those tour groups emphasize in safe travel. So those groups normally always include some quick little safety briefs, so for example instructions from the professionals I think, for example those expert guides out there. What is quite key and that’s the point I would remember for you is those respects around that wildlife for sure!

Are meals included in the tour?

Now that thing really depends as I tell you for specific tours right now but very many times it would include meals and quick lunch from what I know for all those excursions in that place!

How long is the boat ride to the Palomino Islands?

That total boat time ride to and from those awesome Islands? Probably would round up more than 4 hours or 4 and an half including all stops in smaller islands around so don’t you be afraid! Bring snacks because you’ll get a little bit hungry but very normally most providers do serve small snacks and beverages from what I know.