Due to the pandemic, Eduardo and Eloisa are back at guiding kayak trips in the arctics! In the off seasons they will be happy to receive you in Paracas:
First block: Until February 24, 2023
Second Block: From April 5 to May 10, 2023
Third Block: From August 17 to October 5, 2023
And finally: From December 15, 2023 to February 11, 2024 (With the exception of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day, business will remain open as usual.)
On this excursion you will explore part of the National Reserve within Paracas bay.
After a short safety briefing and testing of the paddling equipment, you will leave early in the morning from Santo Domingo (this is the return point as well). We will row (5 km) in the calm of the Paracas bay near the wetland protection zone where we will be able to appreciate an enormous diversity of birds and unique landscapes such as the Cerro “Colorado” and Cerro “Lechuza”. The formations we can see here were adored by the ancient Paracas inhabitants. Moreover, the famous mummies of “Paracas Cavernas” were found here.
Please check our FAQs to get information about the exact starting- and endpoint.
Tip: we also have a “full-morning” version of this tour, which more than doubles the distance covered and also includes a picnic on a deserted beach. It only costs $20 p.p. extra. Click here for more info about that longer sea kayak tour!
If you’d like to read more about the region in general, please refer to our Travel Guide for Paracas, Ica & Nazca.
Paracas Bay is one of the most emblematic and biodiverse reserved bays on the Peruvian coast, threatened by different problems (such as illegal fishing and mining) that deserves more protection. We believe that making low impact use of this area is important to let the authorities know that other ways of development are possible. This place is of great importance for hundreds of species of birds, resident and migratory ones, and for families of bottlenose dolphins that use the bay for hunting small fish. It is full of ancient history and beautiful landscapes.
This experience tries to be as sustainable as possible. By using our own energy to move, we do not disturb animals with any sounds or release toxic gases into the atmosphere. The kayaks allow for easy and quick access to places that are not visited by motorboats. Many times we find marine litter on the sea or beaches, which we will remove.
We believe that kayaking in Paracas bay is a great way of sensitizing visitors. Each paddle is a unique learning experience, showing us the importance of protecting nature.
A little bit, yes. It’s less strenuous than the longer version of this tour, but of course you are still paddling at sea for a few hours. The rhythm is slow, though, and you’ll get good instructions from your guide before leaving. Anyone who’s medium fit can do this tour.
Yes, this sea kayak tour is family-friendly. We advise a minimum age of 14 years old though. If your children are younger, please fill in the Enquiry Form and we’ll advise you about the possibilities.
There is no age limit as long as the person has enough mobility to get in and out of the kayak.
It is not a requirement to know how to swim, but it is advisable not to be afraid of the water.
No previous experience is necessary. Each outing is adapted to the performance of the people in the group. Before starting the activity in the water, we make a detailed explanation about the handling of the kayak. During the paddling we solve doubts.
Anyone who wants to enjoy a sea kayaking trip can participate as long as they have the minimum necessary ability to get in and out of the kayak by themselves.
The Paracas Bay, like any coastal area, can have different kinds of weather throughout the year. Generally, in (southern hemisphere) summer it’s hot and sunny, and in the long winter it’s foggy. However, any day of the year the sun can be out, or it can be foggy and wet. So be prepared for any kind of weather and make sure you’re well protected against the elements.
Our excursion takes place in the morning because generally it becomes too windy in the afternoon.
Find more info about climates in Peru in our blog “Best Time to Travel to Peru“.
At the beginning of the activity the guide will instruct you on how to proceed in case of a capsize. The guide’s instructions and help will help you get out of the kayak and get back in without any difficulty.
We will paddle in pairs in closed double kayaks.
Yes, depending on previous experience and equipment availability.
The actual paddling time is less than the total time of the excursion, since it includes stops to rest without getting out of the kayaks. Although it is not a physically demanding activity, it is necessary to maintain an upright posture and endurance.
Mainly because we do not produce greater impact on the environment and because when we move by our own means we do not generate toxic emissions. Also, by moving slowly and silently in a small group of people we can contemplate nature in all its splendor.
Mainly an enormous variety of birds such as the Peruvian tern, the Peruvian booby, cormorants, pelicans, different species of seagulls, among others. As for mammals, sometimes we are lucky to observe bottlenose dolphins.
Also in the intertidal we can observe many species of invertebrates.
When getting in and out of the kayak we will get wet up to our ankles and sometimes up to our knees. Once inside the kayak, the spray skirts will keep us protected and comfortable. We may get a little splashed when paddling, so it is advisable to carry a windbreaker, especially for the winter season.
Going with a guide makes the excursion more rewarding and safer, since his/her extensive knowledge of the natural environment and her/his paddling experience make your experience very complete.
This tour starts and ends in the Santo Domingo Bay just a bit further south from the center of Paracas. It is easily walkable from most hotels in Paracas center. However, a pickup from your hotel in the Paracas area is included in the price of this tour.
How to get there by my own means?
From the main square of Paracas you should go to the roundabout (Plaza Iquique) and take the left exit onto Los Libertadores Avenue. Continue along this avenue towards Santo Domingo. As a reference you can take the hotel El Cóndor and the Club Oasis. Once you reach these references, you must continue 300 meters to the house “Las 3 Velas” where we will be waiting for you.
Once you book, you can be in touch by email with us and the provider.
There are only four spaces available for a tour so in case there are other travelers, you’ll always remain in a small group.
We will be glad to invite you to come back the following day, depending on availability. So we recommend you plan your visit to Paracas considering at least two full days to make sure there is flexibility.
For questions about booking a tour, prices, preparation for your trip, health and safety or other themes, please check our Frequently Asked Questions page. If you can’t find your question & answer, email us and we’ll add it!
Eduardo was born in Lima, and from a very young age he had a close bond with the sea and unique places on the Peruvian coast. At 19 years of age, he fulfilled one of his dreams, embarking on a sailboat in Paracas Bay to make his first voyage to Easter Island. Years later he made a second sailing trip from Brazil to South Africa, passing through places full of wildlife such as Tristan da Cunha. Surely that contact with the sea and nature was what led him to study biology. He had the opportunity to research humpback whales in northern Peru, work for the Galapagos National Park and in Tierra del Fuego. 12 years ago he started kayaking and for 6 years he has been working as a sea kayak guide in the Arctic and Antarctica, a job he enjoys very much, since it combines his passion for nature and sport.
The combination of sport and nature is precisely what motivates him to create “Sea Kayak Paracas” and guide in Peru so that more people have the opportunity to enjoy and protect the Peruvian sea. Eduardo is also certified as a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and is an ACA (American Canoe Association) level 3 kayak instructor.
Like RESPONS, Eduardo is aware that the better our practices, the less negative impact will be generated on the environment. With sea kayaking we promote sustainable tourism because it is practically non-invasive and in this way we maintain our respect for wildlife.
