Peru’s coastline sits directly astride the Humboldt Current, the cold, nutrient-rich upwelling that runs the length of South America’s Pacific seaboard and makes this one of the most productive marine environments anywhere on the planet. That productivity shows in staggering numbers of Guanay Cormorants, Peruvian Boobies, and Peruvian Pelicans crowding the guano islands, and in the open ocean beyond them: four to six albatross species on a good day, rare storm-petrels found almost nowhere else, and the Humboldt Current’s signature specialties, Humboldt Penguin and Peruvian Diving-Petrel.
The directory lists five Peru pelagic trips across four departure points. Here’s what each one offers.
Pucusana: Deep Offshore Albatross Runs from Lima
Wild Andes Tours runs full-day deep offshore trips from the fishing port of Pucusana, 60 km south of Lima, venturing up to 30 nautical miles into the Humboldt Current. These trips regularly encounter four to six albatross species — Waved, Salvin’s, Black-browed, and Buller’s — alongside rare storm-petrels such as Hornby’s and Markham’s, plus Peruvian Diving-Petrel, Inca Tern, Humboldt Penguin, and Peruvian Booby. Sea lions, dolphins, and occasional humpback and blue whales round out the day.
Kuntur Birding also departs from Pucusana, sailing more than 20 miles offshore into the same cold, nutrient-rich waters. Pelagic specialists here include Waved Albatross, Buller’s Albatross, Cook’s Petrel, and Ringed and Elliot’s Storm-Petrels, while the nearshore legs offer reliable views of Peruvian Booby, Humboldt Penguin, Red-legged Cormorant, and Inca Tern.
Pucusana’s proximity to Lima — roughly an hour’s drive — makes it the most accessible base for genuine deep-water pelagic birding anywhere on the Peruvian coast, with two independent operators offering custom departure dates year-round.
El Callao: Guano Islands and Open-Ocean Species in Half a Day
Ecologística Perú’s Mini-Pelagic departs from the Marina Yacht Club del Callao, visiting the guano bird colonies of San Lorenzo, Palomino, and Cavinzas Islands before heading offshore. The Callao area sits at the heart of the Humboldt Current upwelling system, supporting enormous colonies of Peruvian Booby, Guanay Cormorant, Peruvian Pelican, and the jewel-like Inca Tern. The open-ocean sections can produce Humboldt Penguin, Peruvian Diving-Petrel, and Sooty Shearwater, with humpback whales possible from July through October.
Because it’s a half-day trip departing at 6 AM and returning by late morning, it’s the most time-efficient way to combine Peru’s colonial seabird spectacle with a genuine taste of open-water species.
Paracas: The Ballestas Islands, Peru’s “Galapagos”
Emotion Tour Peru’s Ballestas Islands Seabird Tour is a daily, two-hour speedboat circuit from Paracas to a series of rocky islets often called the “Peruvian Galapagos.” Towering cliffs are draped with colonies of Guanay Cormorant, Peruvian Booby, and Peruvian Pelican, Humboldt Penguins nest in the rock crevices, and South American Sea Lions haul out on the ledges. Inca Tern and Peruvian Tern are reliably seen throughout, and the tour also passes the famous Candelabro geoglyph carved into the coastal hillside.
At around USD 19 per person with four daily departures, it’s not a true offshore pelagic, but it’s the most affordable and accessible way to see Peru’s Humboldt Current seabirds up close.
Puerto Lomas: Peru’s Narrowest Continental Shelf
South of Nazca, Kolibri Expeditions’ Puerto Lomas Deep Pelagic departs from a remote fishing port where the continental shelf is at its narrowest along the entire Peruvian coast — meaning exceptional deep-water species are accessible within hours of departure. This three-day itinerary combines birding stops en route from Lima with a full-day pelagic targeting Peruvian Diving-Petrel, Ringed and Markham’s Storm-Petrels, Waved Albatross, and Swallow-tailed Gull, alongside Humboldt Penguin, Peruvian Tern, and Inca Tern on the coastal leg.
Because the shelf break is so close to shore, Puerto Lomas regularly produces seabirds rarely encountered on the shorter Lima-area trips, making it the pick for birders specifically chasing deep-water specialties on a tighter schedule.
Key Target Species
Waved Albatross — Recorded on Pucusana, Puerto Lomas, and offshore Paracas waters; the species’ only breeding site is Española Island in the Galapagos, but non-breeding birds range widely along the Humboldt Current.
Peruvian Diving-Petrel — A true Humboldt Current endemic, regular on every deep-water trip in this guide.
Markham’s Storm-Petrel and Hornby’s Storm-Petrel — Two of the most sought-after Humboldt Current specialties, both recorded on the Pucusana and Puerto Lomas trips.
Inca Tern — Peru’s signature seabird, reliably seen at close range at the Ballestas Islands, Callao’s guano islands, and both Pucusana operators.
Humboldt Penguin — Present at every departure point in this guide, from the Ballestas Islands cliffs to the open water off Pucusana and Puerto Lomas.
Guanay Cormorant and Peruvian Booby — The two most numerous colonial seabirds on Peru’s guano islands, forming colonies in the hundreds of thousands at Ballestas and Callao.
Swallow-tailed Gull — A Galapagos-breeding species found in Peruvian waters on the Puerto Lomas trip, one of the only nocturnal gulls in the world.
When to Go
All five Peru pelagic trips run year-round, since the Humboldt Current’s upwelling is a constant rather than seasonal feature of the coast. Departures are typically arranged on custom dates rather than a fixed public schedule (the Ballestas Islands tour is the exception, with four daily departures), so contacting operators directly ahead of a visit is recommended. Humpback whales add an extra draw on the Callao and Pucusana routes from roughly July through October.
Getting There
Lima is Peru’s main international gateway and the base for both Pucusana operators (about an hour’s drive south) and the Callao Mini-Pelagic (within greater Lima itself). Paracas, the departure point for the Ballestas Islands tour, is a 3.5-hour drive or bus ride south of Lima and is also the gateway to the Ica desert and Nazca Lines. Puerto Lomas, the most remote of the four departure points, is typically reached as part of a multi-day itinerary combining Lima birding stops with the Nazca region.
Seasickness is a real consideration on the deep offshore Pucusana and Puerto Lomas trips; the Ballestas Islands and Callao routes stay closer to shore and are comparatively sheltered. Read our guide on what to expect on your first pelagic trip for more advice.
Browse all Peru pelagic trips in the Peru directory.