Palomino island: Palomino Island, Puerto Rico / Isla Palominos – 2022 Guide

20 Best Palomino Islands Day Trips & Tours from Lima

See wild and untamed nature on a Palomino Islands day trip from Peru. Visit the tiny island archipelago off the coast of Peru which is home to rare colonies of wildlife. Swim with sea lions and witness remarkable bird species in their natural environment.

Glimpse unusual rock formations and learn about the creatures and plant life that live on the islands. The Palomino Islands are a must-see for nature lovers in Peru.

How to get to Palomino Islands from Lima?

The Palomino Islands are located just a few miles off the coast of Peru near its capital city of Lima. The only way to reach the island is by boat which takes up to 1.5 hours. You can either charter a private catamaran or yacht at the Port of Callao, or take a guided tour.

Guided tour to Palomino Islands from Lima

The best way to visit the islands is on a tour boat from the main port in Callao. These trips are economically priced and usually include pickup and drop-off at your hotel or accommodation. The duration of the tours is typically from 2.5 to five hours.

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to Palomino Islands from Lima?

Your Palomino Islands day trip will usually begin with pickup at your hotel by car or minivan where you will make the short journey to the port of Callao. From here, you will board a speed boat and head off towards the Palomino Islands.

You will pass by the larger island of San Lorenzo before heading out to the tiny Palomino Islands. Here, you can see all manner of seabirds including, penguins, pelicans and more.

Take the opportunity to swim in the ocean directly from the boat with a neoprene wetsuit. Meet the curious sea lions that call the island home before heading back to port at Callao.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Palomino Islands?

There are only a few different tours to the Palomino Islands to choose from. Simply pick if you want to take a small group trip with other people or a private tour for you and your family or group. There are also longer and shorter excursions which you can select between.

Short guided tours to Palomino Islands from Lima and swimming with sea lions

These guided jaunts to Palomino Islands offer the chance to visit the Palomino Islands for a tour and swimming experience. Cruise away from the coast on a modern speedboat or yacht to the tiny islets of Palomino. See the variety of nature that calls the area home and take the chance to swim with sea lions.

These trips usually last around 2.5 to three hours and include pickup and drop-off at your hotel or accommodation in Lima. They usually include the use of swim equipment and neoprene wetsuits and all transport in the price of the trip.

Longer guided tours to Palomino Islands from Lima and swimming with sea lions

These tours give you the option to visit the Palomino Islands at a slower pace and also to visit other locations in the area. See the islands of San Lorenzo, El Fronton and Las Cavinazas before heading out to the Palomino Islands.

Swim with the sea lions and take a trip around the islands to discover its seabird colonies, including Humboldt penguins, pelicans and more. The tours last from around four to six hours.

Private tour to Palomino Islands from Lima

Take a guided Palomino Islands trip on a private boat. Tour the islands and swim with sea lions on these private excursions for just you and your group. If you want to visit the Palominos without the crowds, this is the way to do it.

How much does a tour to Palomino Islands from Lima cost?

The prices of Palomino Islands trips from Lima range from about US$50 to US$200 and all tour prices are per person. The short group tours cost on average between US$50 and US$70, and longer group trips are priced between US$70 and US$150. Private tours cost in the region of US$150 to US$200.

What will you see and do in Palomino Islands?

The Palomino Islands are small and can be experienced within a few hours. The most popular thing to do there is to swim with the many sea lions that call the islands home.

Put on a life jacket and neoprene wetsuit, and climb into the ocean straight from the boat. Be awed by the power of nature and the fascinating creatures that live off the coast of Peru.

See the variety of seabirds that inhabit the rocks, including Humboldt penguins, Peruvian pelicans, cormorants and gulls. Witness the thousands of sea lions that live wild on the islands and observe them in their natural habitat.

The tour will be guided and there will be a member of the crew in the water with you to ensure everybody’s safety. The sea lions will probably come over to investigate and swim all around you.

This is the highlight of the tour and an opportunity to be relished by nature lovers who are keen to see these magnificent creatures in the wild.

When is the best time to visit Palomino Islands?

The best time to visit the Palomino Islands is probably between December and March, which are the sunniest months along the Pacific Coast. Outside of this time is considered dry season and the weather is, ironically, more cloudy and gray along the coastline.

Travel tips

• Book your Palomino Islands day trips in advance especially if traveling in the peak tourist season between December and March.
• Bring a towel and your swimwear, as well as clothes to change into after swimming.
• Pack a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, as the activity is all outdoors with no shade.
• Bring a bottle of water and stay hydrated.

Palomino Island Fajardo Puerto Rico Water Taxi

Palomino Island, or Isla Palimino as its known to the locals, is a small island of the eastern shore of Puerto Rico. It is located approximately 3 miles off the coast of the mainland Puerto Rico. Fajardo, Puerto Rico is the closest mainland city to the Palomino near the area of Las Croabas. Palomino Island is about a quick 25 minute water taxi ride and it’s worth it! 

Palomino is not a very large land mass but provides bplenty of beach for relaxing and soaking in the sun. It is around 1 mile long long and 1/3 mile making Palomino islands total size around 102 acres. At it’s highest point Palomino Island reaches a height of 180 feet above the sea level. Palomino Island is surrounded by beautiful reefs and sea grass with the best snorkeling spots being the area between Palomino and Palominito island.  However, be aware of the currents that normal flow from East to West. This makes it an excellent area to snorkel, dive, or spearfish.  Check out the map below for some of the spots and rent some snorkel gear to enjoy the day! $15 for the whole day. 

Palomino is one of three private islands off the coast of Puerto Rico, along with Ramos Island and Lobos Island. Supposedly, Palomino Island is owned by the descendants of Alberto Bachman Glauser. Rumor has it that Mr. Bachman made his fortune as the American Plumbing representative to Puerto Rico and bought the island in the 1930’s for around $30,000. Most of the land is rented out to The Conquistador Hotel and Casino in nearby Fajardo. Since the Hotel has no beachfront, it rents out the land and provides the short ferry ride to its guest for their beaches use. The hotel pays the island’s owners $40,000 per month for the ability to send their guests here. Not a bad life!

Located about 1/3 of a mile south of Palomino is the little island called Palominito. Palominito is a public island with no buildings and relatively no vegetation other than a couple of trees that sit at the island’s south end. It’s pretty much a gorgeous sand bar in the middle of the ocean. Palominito is most well known for being used for a set in the film Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. It is used in the scene where Jonny Depp’s character (Captain Jack Sparrow) tries to abandon Penelope Cruz’s character (Angelica) on a deserted island. Here is a clip! Just don’t recreate the scene and leave your friends.  You can also visit this island by water taxi. 

Palomino Islands – swimming with sea lions

The Palomino Islands are home to a large colony of sea lions. On this trip, we will go to visit these cute creatures. If you are a wildlife lover, you should not miss this special experience while you are in Lima!

Experience a once-in-a-lifetime experience of swimming with sea lions, take a speedboat ride and spot exotic birds and Humboldt penguins!

Tour description

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Tour starts at 10:00. By this time you need to arrive at the yacht club.

We will meet at the Marina Callao Yacht Club, from where we will sail to the islands at 10:30. During the first part of the tour you will see yachts, warships and merchant ships. We will then drive past “El Camotal” and San Lorenzo Island, where you will see fishing boats in the sea, as well as various birds and Humboldt penguins.

In 1 hour 30 minutes we will arrive at the Palomino Islands, where there is a large colony of sea lions. Here you will see some of them swimming, jumping and diving under the boat. Wearing a wetsuit, you can jump into the water with life jackets and swim with them. Sometimes out of curiosity they come up and touch us, but the older ones usually keep a distance of 5 meters from us. They live here in comfort because there are no predators. Being in the water in such close proximity to the colony is an amazing experience for those who love nature and wildlife.

At 12:30 we will start our way back to the dock. The boat will pass amazing rocks and islets where you will see many bird colonies. At this time we will have a snack. At 13:00 we will arrive back at the dock.

More information

This itinerary is subject to change without notice due to seasonal changes and inclement weather.

We have our own dock at Marina Yacht Club with 3 speed boats. English-Spanish speaking guides. This tour requires a minimum of 2 passengers.

• Included in the price
• Not included in the price

• Entrance fee to the yacht club
• English / Spanish speaking guide
• Wetsuit and life jackets
• Swimming with sea lions
• Snack on board
• Boat insurance

• Masks and fins
• Binoculars
• Raincoat, raincoat
• Water insurance
• Entrance ticket to SERNANP National Park: 11 soles

The cost of the tour is 90 USD

Find out about the Palomino Islands Tour

Recommended to take on the tour

• Cap to protect from the sun or rain
• Comfortable trekking shoes ready to get wet
• Sunglasses, sunscreen
• Swimwear
• Lightweight and windproof, warm clothing (winter season)
• Camera
• Water bottle
• A small amount of money (Salt)
• Take Gravol or Dramamine to avoid dizziness and motion sickness headaches

Easter 2022: how to get to the Palomino Islands and what is the cost of the

tour Connecting with nature on Easter is one of the best plans and you can avoid the routine by visiting an attractive and unique place in the constitutional province of Callao.

This is the Palomino Islands, a place that allows you to see an incomparable ecosystem. At this place you can see guano bird sanctuary, visit the moon worship center or visit the old prison. These and other sights that you will learn about when you arrive at the port of all Peruvians.

ABOUT CALLAO TOUR

These islands are located in the National Reserve of the Guaneras Islands, Islets and Puntas System. During the excursion you will be able to learn about the history of this place and its surroundings, as well as the natural and marine riches of the Peruvian coast.

The Palomino Islands have a unique ecosystem of flora and fauna. In terms of animals, there are about 25 species of cetaceans, sea lions, Humboldt penguins and many bird species.

– Altitude: 1.8 m above sea level

– Climate: minimum 17.3 °C and maximum 21.5 °C of the year: discover Peru with these 9 short itineraries0088

Continue reading: List of countries where you can travel without a Peruvian passport

HOW TO GET TO THE PALOMINO ISLANDS?

The Palomino Islands are in Callao although there are two routes to enter them and it is up to you which one you use. Departing from Lima, you can go to La Punta, which takes about 50 minutes by bus or car. The second option is from Lima to Callao, route lasts 1 hour.

BUY PALOMINO ISLANDS TOUR

Obtaining the services of a safe and formal company is important because your safety is at stake. And to protect it it is necessary that those who comply with all environmental, social and economic obligations and obligations are recognized .

Companies that comply with all of the above are: Ecocruseros S.A.C., Mar Adentro Extursiones E.R.L., T&T Turismo y Servicios S.A.C., Peru Technical Diving S.A.C., Spondylus General Maritime Services, Islas del Ecotourism -Callao E.R.L. and Servicios Turismo M&G S.A.C.

Please note that each of these services has a tour schedule and cost. To do this, you should check what options they offer you. Everything will depend on several factors, including the type of boat you will be traveling on, as there are options for yacht, slider, catamaran and more.

– In the case of yachts, you can find full day tours starting from S/150.00 soles per person, but they should be in a total of 15 people . This may include a trip to the main islands, swimming with sea lions for 30 minutes, snacks, an insurance policy and all the necessary equipment for your safety.

– As for private full day tours, you can find from S/. 200 soles.

Semana Santa 2022: cómo llegar a las Islas Palomino y cuál es el precio del tour. (Photo: Captura)

ENTRY COST

Besides the tour, you should know that the entrance to this protected natural area costs and looks like this.

– Adults: S/11 Soles for adults 9000

– S/5 sole for children under 16 years old

Recommendations for travel

We will show you the necessary equipment for participation in this Tour: mineral water, safety hat, UV protection lenses, sunscreen and windbreaker.