Palomino Island (Isla Palomino)

Visitors can explore the Palomino Islands on a day trip from Lima on board a comfortable cruise boat or a sailboat. The islands are particularly known for the thousands of sea lions that gather here to swim and sun themselves on the rocks. If the water is calm enough, and you’re feeling brave, you can swim near the sea lions. You’ll also find colonies of Humboldt penguins and an impressive number of other birds.

• Remember to bring sun protection, a swimsuit, and a towel with you; boat operators usually provide wetsuits, goggles, and lifejackets.

• Do not touch or feed the sea lions.

• Tours may include round trip hotel transfers as well as food and beverages; check specific tours for details.

• Expect the water to be chilly. From June–November, the water temperature may dip to about 66°F (18°C); the warmest months are December through April, when temperatures can rise to about 72°F (22°C).

• Be sure to take preventative medication if you’re prone to motion sickness.

Boat tours to the Palomino Islands depart from the port of Callao, where there is a cruise dock and an airport. If traveling from Lima, take a taxi to Callao; the ride from the center of the city can take anywhere from 30–60 minutes depending on traffic, which is especially heavy in the late afternoon and evening hours. The ride to the islands takes 30–60 minutes, depending on weather and ocean conditions.

While tours run all year round, the most comfortable time to visit the islands is the summer (December–April), when the air and water temperatures are warmest. That said, the best time to visit Lima is the winter (May–September), when there is the least amount of rain. The summer months are warmer but wetter and can be quite foggy.

The seafront city of Callao has been Peru’s most important port since the colonial era. Today, it is the closest cruise port to Lima (and the launch point for tours of the Palomino Islands). Visitors can tour the 18th-century Real Felipe Fortress, enjoy the beach at La Punta, and learn about the area’s maritime history at the the Naval Museum and the Abtao Submarine Museum, which is housed in a retired submarine.

There are plenty of ways to experience the Palomino Island (Isla Palomino). Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Visit the Sea Lions in Palomino Islands in Lima Peru
• Lima: Palomino Islands Excursion & Swimming with Sea Lions with Hotel Transfers
• Lima Peru Sea Lions, History and Palomino Callao Islands
• Swimming with Sea Lions in Islas Palomino Lima
• Private Tour to Spot Sea Lions in Palomino Islands From Lima

There’s no entrance fee for Palomino Island (Isla Palomino), but you can only visit the natural reserve on a guided tour. Wildlife-watching boat tours start from US$72, while tours that let you get in the water and swim with the sea lions tend to cost around US$125.

Yes, you can swim with sea lions at Palomino Island (Isla Palomino). Many tours include a wildlife-watching boat ride around the archipelago, followed by the chance to jump into the water while keeping a respectful distance from the marine mammals. Life jackets are typically provided, but the cold water means you might also want a wetsuit.

Yes, visiting Palomino Island (Isla Palomino) is worth it—especially if you’ve never been to the Galapagos Islands or haven’t gotten the chance to encounter sea lions there. It’s one of the few places in the world where you can actually swim alongside sea lions; and since it’s an easy day trip from Lima, it’s also a great place to escape the bustle of the city.

Thanks to a lack of natural predators, Palomino Island (Isla Palomino) is a mecca for wildlife. In addition to sea lions, you can see Humboldt penguins and a wealth of birdlife, including gulls, guayas, tendrils, pelicans, vases, and Peruvian boobies. If you’re lucky, you might even see a pod of bottlenose dolphins.

For tours of Palomino Island, you should bring a bathing suit and towel if you’re swimming with the sea lions—the water is cold, so you might want a jumper to warm up with after your dip. Binoculars are also a great addition for spotting wildlife in the distance.