The Palomino Islands tour offers an exhilarating encounter with over 8,000 playful sea lions. Guests don life jackets and enter the warm, shallow waters where curious pinnipeds swim alongside them, showcasing their intelligence and agility. This unique interaction with marine mammals creates unforgettable memories while highlighting the stunning natural beauty of the islands. With guided supervision ensuring safety, the tour promises an exciting and immersive wildlife experience in the South Pacific. What surprises might these curious creatures have in store?
Good To Know
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Explore the Palomino Islands, home to over 8,000 sea lions, and have the opportunity to swim with the curious and playful pinnipeds.
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Guided supervision ensures safety during the swimming experience, which is described as exhilarating and unforgettable.
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The tour includes transportation by speedboat to the Palomino Islands, where the sea lion swimming activity takes place.
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Participants wear life jackets before entering the shallow waters, where the sea lions swim alongside them.
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The Palomino Islands tour is part of a broader exploration of the Callao Islands, including visits to El Camotal, San Lorenzo, and El Fronton Islands.
Exploring the Callao Islands
As visitors board the speedboat, they embark on a thrilling journey through the South Pacific, where they’ll witness the rugged rock formations and bustling fishing activities that characterize the Callao Islands.
The tour winds its way through El Camotal, San Lorenzo, and El Fronton Islands, offering glimpses of naval bases, archaeological sites, and eerie prison ruins.
The highlight is the Cavinzas Islands, home to a colony of Humboldt penguins, and the Palomino Islands, where over 8,000 sea lions reside. Guests can’t wait to dive in and swim alongside these majestic marine mammals.
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Discovering El Camotal, San Lorenzo, and El Fronton
The speedboat winds its way through the South Pacific, offering visitors a firsthand glimpse of the unique geography and history of the Callao Islands.
The first stop is El Camotal Island, which was submerged after a devastating earthquake.
El Camotal Island, once above the waves, now lies submerged beneath the South Pacific after a devastating earthquake.
Next, the tour explores San Lorenzo Island, home to a naval base and ancient archaeological sites.
The final destination is El Fronton Island, where the ruins of a former prison stand as a testament to the region’s complex past.
Throughout the journey, the guide provides insights into the islands’ rich cultural and natural heritage, creating an immersive and educational experience.
Encountering the Cavinzas Islands and Palomino Islands
After exploring the historical sites on the previous islands, the tour continues its journey to the Cavinzas Islands and the Palomino Islands. The Cavinzas Islands are home to a colony of Humboldt penguins, offering a unique wildlife viewing opportunity. Nearby, the Palomino Islands host over 8,000 sea lions, providing the highlight of the tour – the chance to swim with these playful marine mammals.
| Island | Highlights |
| — | — |
| Cavinzas Islands | Humboldt penguin colony |
| Palomino Islands | 8,000+ sea lions, swim with sea lions |
The tour then returns to Callao by 1:00 p.m., completing a thrilling day of exploring the natural wonders of the Callao Islands.
Swimming With the Sea Lions
Upon reaching the Palomino Islands, the tour participants eagerly await the highlight of the excursion – the opportunity to swim with the sea lions.
Donning life jackets, they descend from the speedboat and wade into the shallow waters. Hundreds of curious sea lions swim alongside them, popping their heads above the surface to inspect the strange, two-legged creatures.
Under the watchful eye of the accompanying guide, the participants gently interact with the playful pinnipeds, marveling at their intelligence and agility.
This once-in-a-lifetime experience leaves the group exhilarated and with memories to last a lifetime.
More Great Tours NearbyExperiencing the Speedboat Journey
As the group boards the speedboat, they embark on a thrilling journey through the South Pacific waters surrounding Callao.
The speedboat navigates past dramatic rock formations and observes the lively fishing activities of the local community. During the journey, the guide highlights the group’s itinerary, including visiting the submerged El Camotal Island, the naval base and archaeological sites on San Lorenzo Island, and the eerie prison ruins on El Fronton Island.
The speedboat then approaches the Cavinzas Islands, home to a colony of Humboldt penguins, before reaching the Palomino Islands and the sea lion sanctuary.
Guided Tour and Included Amenities
During the guided tour, the knowledgeable English and Spanish-speaking guide leads the group through the various islands and points of interest.
Visitors get to explore El Camotal, San Lorenzo, and El Fronton Islands, as well as the Cavinzas and Palomino Islands.
The tour includes a thrilling speedboat ride to observe the stunning rock formations and fishing activities.
Participants can take a refreshing swim with the colony of over 8,000 sea lions near the shore.
The tour also provides life jackets, hot and cold drinks, and snacks on board, along with a conservation fee and travel insurance.
Flexible Booking and Cancellation Policy
Travelers can take advantage of the flexible booking and cancellation policy for the Palomino Islands tour. Customers can reserve their spot now and pay later.
Plus, the tour offers free cancellation if done 24 hours in advance, ensuring a full refund. This allows for greater flexibility in planning and scheduling, accommodating unforeseen changes in travelers’ itineraries.
The straightforward booking process and no-hassle cancellation options make it easy for visitors to secure their spot on this unique sea lion swimming adventure without added stress or financial risk.
Important Details to Note
Though the Palomino Islands tour offers a flexible booking policy, there are a few important details travelers should keep in mind. First, the meeting point is Calle La Mar at 10:00 a.m. sharp. Second, the tour returns to Callao at 1:00 p.m. Third, a conservation fee of 11 S/ per person is included. Lastly, travelers should select their preferred starting time during the booking process. To help visualize these details, see the table below:
| Detail | Information |
| — | — |
| Meeting Point | Calle La Mar at 10:00 a.m. |
| Return Time | 1:00 p.m. |
| Conservation Fee | 11 S/ per person |
| Booking | Select preferred starting time |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Bring My Pet on the Tour?
The tour does not allow pets, as they could disturb the sea lions and disrupt the conservation efforts. Participants are requested to leave their pets at home for the safety and enjoyment of all the travelers.
Is There an Option for a Private Boat Tour?
Unfortunately, the tour operator does not offer private boat tours. The tour is designed as a group experience, with participants sharing the speedboat and guided activities. Private options are not available for this particular Palomino Islands excursion.
Can I Explore the Islands on My Own?
No, visitors can’t explore the islands on their own. The tour includes a guided speedboat ride to see the islands and a supervised swim with sea lions. Independent exploration of the islands is not permitted.
What Is the Minimum Age Requirement for the Sea Lion Swim?
There’s no minimum age requirement for the sea lion swim. However, the activity is not recommended for children under 8 years old due to safety concerns. Participants must be able to swim independently and follow the guide’s instructions.
Can I Extend the Duration of the Tour?
Yes, you can extend the duration of the tour. The activity overview states that the tour lasts 4 hours, but this can likely be extended for an additional fee. You’d need to check with the tour operator for availability and pricing.
The Sum Up
The Palomino Islands tour offers an exhilarating opportunity to swim alongside playful sea lions. Guests embark on a speedboat adventure, donning life jackets before entering the warm waters to interact with these intelligent marine mammals. With guided supervision ensuring safety, this unique experience showcases the stunning natural beauty of the South Pacific islands. Unforgettable memories are sure to be made during this exciting wildlife encounter.
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