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Last month when visiting Lima, Peru, I had the opportunity to go swimming with sea lions in the South Pacific Ocean. It was incredible! So, today, I want to tell you all about the Palomino Islands, Peru, and everything you want to know about the sea lions there.
While I was with other journalists on this trip, I think this is something my family would have really enjoyed. I am already trying to plan a trip back because Peru is only about 6 hours from Atlanta, making it a great family travel option. Plus, there is no jet lag. I didn’t have a time change from my home in SE Alabama! So, keep Peru on your radar.
But now, let’s jump right in (with the sea lions, of course)!
Swimming With Sea Lions At Palomino Islands Peru
To say this was a bucket list experience was an understatement! It was something I never saw myself doing, and it was one of the coolest things I have ever done.
This top-rated 2.5-hour sea lion excursion near Lima, Peru, is the perfect outfit for adults, couples, and families visiting Peru with teenagers. In this post, I will tell you much more about my experience swimming with sea lions near Lima, Peru.
But, if you are short on time, here are links to the exact outing that I did with Mar Adentro Excursions. All three are the same exact tour, so book on whichever site you prefer. Our family loves to use Get Your Guide because I find the app very user-friendly while traveling internationally.
Click on any link to check rates and availability and get other important information about this fun activity. Plus, they all have great reviews and additional photos. Just check out that Viator link with 514 reviews and a 5-star average!
BOOK NOW:
Where Are The Palomino Islands in Peru?
The Palomino Islands, where the sea lions are located, is part of the Callao archipelago just off the coast of Lima, Peru. It’s actually made up of 4 main islands, and you will see all of them on this Palomino Island excursion that departs from Callao, Peru.
First, you go past historic San Lorenzo Island. After that, you make your way to El Frontón Island for birdwatching and Cavinzas Islands for Humboldt Pengiun spotting. Lastly, you’ll pull up to the Palomino Islands, which is where the sea lions live and where you will be swimming with sea lions on this Lima excursion.
And while the Humbolt penguins are often few and far between at the previous stop, there are thousands of sea lions on Palomino Island, Peru. You have to do a double-take because the entire main island is covered with them!
Why Are There So Many Sea Lions At The Palomino Islands?
So, why did 8000 sea lions decide to call this island home? There are a few main reasons!
- lack of predators
- ideal habitat for reproduction
- great food source (Pacific Sardines)
These are also why Panominos Islands, Peru, is an ideal setting for swimming with sea lions. They have plenty to eat and minimal reproductive stress/competition, which means that by the time they are back on the island lying around, they are fat and happy. This is why they are not aggressive and seem to look forward to their daily visitors.
And the lack of predators, specifically sharks, makes it an ideal environment for humans to have this unique interaction with the sea lions in Peru! So, what’s it really like?
Swimming With Sea Lions At The Palomino Islands Peru
Swim alongside sea lions in their natural environment is something I will never forget! I highly recommend this Lima Sea Lion Tour to anyone visiting Lima, Peru. It’s a great way to get out of the city for a half day and make some core memories with your loved ones.
What To Expect On Your Lima Sea Lion Excursion
While this is a two and a half our tour, you want to plan for five hours in total. This allows for around an hour of transportation to the port from your hotel. For example, we were staying in the Miraflores area, and it took us about 50 minutes to get to the 10 AM meeting point 10 AM. The good news is that Uber is very inexpensive and was under $10 when I was there.
After the meeting, signing papers, and walking a couple of blocks to the boat, the tour will depart at 10:30 AM. You will head out on the boat with approximately 20-30 other people and wonderful bilingual tour guides.
They will point out everything so you can sit back and relax for the first hour. Hold onto your hats because it may get windy, and you may want to bring binoculars for incredible wildlife spotting!
It’s Time To Swim With The Sea Lions
At around 11:30 AM, you will arrive at the large Palomino Island, which is home to this large colony of sea lions. You will get a chance to see them and take photos from the boat before donning your wetsuit. From there, it’s time to go swimming with sea lions!
I wish I had photos of me actually swimming with them to show you, but there are plenty for you to view here on Viator’s website. I really regretted not bringing my GoPro or a waterproof holder for my iPhone. It would have been really awesome to get photos and video up close. But, when packing for my trip to Peru, I didn’t realize we were going to be able to swim with the sea lions and didn’t pack them.
It was exhilarating! There is no better word to describe it. I was nervous yet excited as they swam just feet from me. I’m pretty sure I had a perma-grin on my face, which helped me forget how cold the water was!
When it was time to go, we climbed back up and into the boat for the trip home. It was then that I realized just how cold I was on this winter day. While the air temperatures were fairly mild at the end of August, the wind and wet clothes had me shivering. So, if visiting in the cooler months, bring a warm hoodie, sweatpants, and an extra towel. But it was worth it!
Without a doubt, I recommend that you add this excursion near Lima, Peru, to your bucket list! So, before wrapping up, I want to provide some extra tips and answer some of your questions in advance so you can make the most out of your experience.
4 Things To Know Before Visiting The Palomino Islands
Here are a few things that may surprise you! Hopefully, my tips will help you plan and have the best experience swimming with sea lions possible. So, here are four things that you’ll want to know before visiting the Palomino Islands, Peru.
#1 The Sea Lions Want To See Your Feet, No Really They Do
Yep, these sea lions have a foot fetish! They love planting whisker kisses on your feet. When you are swimming with the sea lions, it’s recommended that you lean back and stick your feet out of the water. They will come close and give them a nuzzle.
#2 The Water Can Be Very Cold
The water in this part of the Peruvian Sea tends to stay fairly cold. It was averaging just over 60 degrees when I was there in late August. The water does get warmer during South America’s summer, topping off just over 70 degrees in January, February, and March. That’s still pretty cold, hence the wet suits!
#3 Plan For The Weather
For me, the water temperature wasn’t a huge deal, as my adrenaline was pumping! However, keep the air temperature in mind. As I mentioned above, it will be very cold when you get out of the water, especially if the air temperature is the same or cooler.
On hot and sunny summer days, you should warm up quickly. So, just keep in mind when you are visiting and plan for the weather in Lima.
#4 The Water Color Will Vary
In many photos, you see rich blue waters, but in others, it’s dark and grey. It’s not Photoshop, just nature. The visible water color depends on the cloud cover that day. By nature, the water is a gorgeous shade of deep blue and turquoise.
So, on a sunny day, the colors will be more visible. Lima, by nature, can be pretty grey, especially during the winter months. On days when there is 100% cloud cover, the water won’t be as pretty of a blue.
FAQ & TIPS For Swimming With Sea Lions In Peru
I hit on this above, but plan for three full hours from start to finish and a couple of hours for transit.
You will also likely be very ready for lunch by the time you get back to port, so this can easily take up the bulk of your day (approx 9 AM to 3 PM). This leaves you time to shower at your hotel and head out for some evening fun in Lima. The food scene in Lima is incredible!
Are The Sea Lions At The Palomino Island Dangerous?
No. Contrary to some of the sea lion behavior you see along California’s coast, these Peruvian Sea Lions are very well-behaved. Mar Adentro has 20 years of experience operating this tour and is committed to responsible tourism. I felt very comfortable with them on this outing.
What About The Smells?
Yes, it can be stinky. However, not as bad as I have seen it in other areas. The aromas come in with the wind, so you get big gusts here and there. If you are sensitive to smell, I recommend grabbing Poy Sian before your trip. These small menthol aromatherapy nasal inhalers work really well at masking the smell but still allowing you to breathe through your nose.
Is There A Best Or Worst Time To Do This Excursion?
I think summer is a great time. In some photos, I noticed people looked more relaxed in the sun after they re-boarded the boat. On the other hand, I was shivering in winter. But, I think as long as you prepare, you can go any time of the year. The best time to go swimming with sea lions is whenever you find yourself in Lima, Peru!
How Do I Get To The Starting Point?
Upon booking your tour, the directions are very accurate. You will meet at the Nakary Restaurant in front of the Real Felipe Fortress before walking a couple of blocks to the port. And while the Uber fare is very inexpensive from Miraflores to Callao, traffic can be heavy. So, plan accordingly and give yourself plenty of time.
Should I Bring My Kids?
Teenagers, yes. Little Kids, no. For the ages in between, I would use your discretion based on the child. On our tour, there were two kids between the ages of 7-10. One seemed to really enjoy it. The other was very upset about the smell and likely a bit seasick, and I could feel the parent’s stress.
What Should I Bring With Me?
With your booked tour, Mar Adentro provides the following:
- Tour around the Callao Islands
- Swimming with sea lions
- Protection fee and boarding fee
- Personal accident insurance on board
- Bilingual guide (English/Spanish)
- Neoprene suit
- Life jackets
- Snacks/water or juice
At a bare minimum, you need to wear a swimsuit and bring a towel. However, you will likely want to have more items on hand to have a comfortable outing. Make sure to reapply sunscreen, even on cloudy days, and if you bring a hat and sunglasses, make sure they tie around your neck or remove them when the boat is moving quickly or it is windy.
Here are some things you should bring, and a * denotes that it is a must have on this swim with sea lions tour in Peru.
- Swimsuit*
- Towel*
- Sunscreen*
- Water bottle*
- Warm clothing
- Rain gear
- Binoculars
- Camera/phone
- Wet bag for valuables
- Waterproof phone protector
- Waterproof camera (Go Pro)
- Motion sickness medication
Is There Anywhere To Eat Afterwards?
Yes! Right after you get off the boat, there is a fantastic restaurant called Cabos Restaurante del Puerto. I highly recommend grabbing a late lunch here. Then, you can get an Uber or call on your transportation and head back to your hotel.
Book Now: Palomino Islands Swimming With Sea Lions Lima Peru
If you are planning a trip to Lima, Peru, or find yourself in Lima right now, you should book this sea lion encounter and go swimming with sea lions. It truly is a bucket list experience and incredibly unique. I didn’t have a sea lion swim on my 2024 radar, but I am so glad I had the opportunity to do this. It was so special. They are such amazing animals, and the knowledgeable guides hit it out of the park!
You can use the following Get Your Guide widget to check for availability and book your Palomino Island tour to Lima, Peru!
More Fun Things To Do In Lima, Peru
After your swim with the sea lions at Isla Palomino Peru and lunch, you may want to consider visiting the Fortaleza del Real Felipe because it is literally right there. But if you are ready to head back to get cleaned up, I don’t blame you!
There are so many great things to do in Lima, Peru! I was pleasantly surprised at how many of the activities were perfect for famililes with teenagers like mine. When I bring Abby and Jake, I would love to do surfing lessons along the coast, take them on a chocolate tasting, do a day tour south, and so much more.
Here is a great list of things to do in Lima, Peru!
Family Travel Inspiration For Your Next Trip
If you enjoyed this Lima, Peru travel blog post, you’ll love my others!
Whether you are planning an extended family vacation in Europe or a quick weekend getaway to the beaches of Alabama, I have endless travel inspiration here at Our Little Lifestyle! You can use the main menu to browse the travel section by category, and here are some posts that you may enjoy.
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PIN: Swimming With Sea Lions At Palomino Island Peru
