Lima Birding Tours: Pelagic Birding off Lima - Birding the Humboldt Current

We will visit the guano bird colonies of the San Lorenzo, Palomino and Cavinzas Islands, observe pelagic birds that only live offshore, we will see the huge colony of sea lions of the Palomino Islands and observe different species of cetaceans.

The tour begins with a short navigation to the Cabezo Norte sector of San Lorenzo Island, the largest island of the Peruvian coast, at its summit we will see the Gran Almirante Grau Lighthouse. Later we will begin to observe some very interesting species of birds such as the Humboldt Penguin, the Red-legged Cormorant, Peruvian Booby, Peruvian Pelican, Guanay Cormorant, Inca Tern, Blackish Oystercatcher and the endemic Surf Cinclodes. According to the season we can also find some migratory species such as the Surfbirds, Ruddy Turnstone, Whimbrel, Royal Tern, and Elegant Tern.

From this point we will go into the sea in a journey of one hour. During the navigation we will start to observe some pelagic birds such as the Peruvian Diving-petrel, Sooty Shearwaters, Pink-footed Shearwater, Wilson’s Storm-petrel, Swallow-tailed Gull, Sabine’s Gull, Chilean Skua, Parasitic Jaeger, and Waved Albatross. 

It is also frequent to observe the presence of large groups of Dusky Dolphins, Common Dolphins and Bottlenose Dolphins feeding in this area, likewise there is the possibility of observing Humpback Whales between the months of July to October. Although less frequent, we have also occasionally observed other species such as Blue and Sperm Whales.

After traveling this route, we will reach a point located 25 nautical miles from the coast. In this area we will stop to start the session of bait or «chum», for this we use fish oil and remains of frozen fish viscera. Among the species of birds that can be seen are the Hornby’s Storm-petrel, Markham’s Storm-petrel, Wedge-rumped Storm-petrel, Salvin’s Albatross, Buller’s Albatross, and others. 

Around 9:00 AM we initiate the return sailing towards the Palomino Islands where we will stop to observe the impressive colony of more than ten thousand South-American Sea-lions living in this place. 

• Seven hours of sailing from the coast to reach at least 15 miles away (depending on sea conditions)
• Bilingual guide (Spanish/English) specialized in seabirds and in the identification of whales and dolphins
• Water and snacks
• Life vests of different sizes, if you travel with children or people smaller than normal let us know to provide a vest according to their size
• Entry ticket to the islands that are part of the Islas y Puntas Guaneras National Reserve. We clarify that although an entrance ticket is paid for navigating around these islands, at no time will we disembark in them for being prohibited

Click here to download the PDF file for this trip.