Mundo Azul

The National Reserve of Paracas is one of the most important protected areas of Peru. Its conservation is fundamental for the protection of the coastal-marine biodiversity. The Reserve protects a part of the coastal desert of the subtropical Pacific and waters of the Humboldt Current, which is characterized by one of the highest levels of productivity in the world because of the coastal upwelling. There are nine Guano Islands located within the protected area. Aditionally there are the Ballestas Islands and the Chinchas Islands in the north of the protected area. The Peruvian conservation group Mundo Azul lobbies to include these islands into the reserve.

Together these islands are home to tens of thousands of guano birds ( Peruvian pelicans , Peruvian boobies and Guano Cormorants ), thousands of oather marine birds like the endemic Inka terns, several species of sea gulls, the endangered Humboldt penguin and the highly endangered Peruvian diving petrel, as well as thousands fo Southern sea lions and South American fur seals.

The Paracas National Reserve presents one of the most beautifull desert scenarios of the Peruvian coasts. The numerous desert mountains change their colours each day from different tones of yelow to pinkish reds. The coastal cliffs are offering scenaric attractions like the famous "Cathedral" (la Catedral), an impressive rock arc used by several species of sea birds to breed on its walls. Another impressive look is the "monk" a stone pillar located on a small rocky outcrop in the sea.

The Bay of Paracas in the northern limit of the reserve is one of the few coastal sites where one can appreciate flamingos venturing the shallows for food. And there is also an important population of Black skimmers, cutting the surface of the water witth their strange bills in order to catch fish.

Apart of the pitoresque remains of some former mariners proud fishing boat the reserve is an important cultural site. The area gave birth to an important pre-inca culture whose remains can be seen in the small local museum. The bay of Paracas is the place where Peru's liberator San Martin landed his troups in order to march on Lima and finally the reserve presents one of Peru's greatest mysteries: the candelabre. A giant pictorgram carved about 1 meter deep in the rocky flank of a desert hill. Who has done this and why? Depending on whom you ask, you can choose between pirates, the liberator San Martin, an unknown pre inca culture and extraterrestrials.

The Cathedral (© Stefan Austermühle)

The Chincha Islands as well as the Ballestas Islands, which received their name becase of the numerous rock arches are offering the possibility to visit their inmense sea bird and sea lion colonies.

Diving in the Paracas National Reserve

Diving in the Paracas National Reserve opens up a new dimension, which so far has been explored only by a handful of recreational divers. Mendieta Beach and Zarate Island are Kelp forest habitats, offering you an enchanted submersion between the giant algae softly moving in the wave's rhythm. Deep divers should visit the Giants game, an underwater garden formed by huge bolders overgrown with macro algae and sea anemones whose ncountable micro caves and canyonlike hallways are home to a great number of fish. When visiting the sea lion rock in Mendieta beach its more than probable to meat the curious mammals on the sandy bottom and ship wreck fans should not miss out on the sunken guano ship in front of the northern Chincha island.

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