Fr STGO: WILD PENGUINS, SEALION, SANDBOARD, PARAGLIDING & PICNIC

The best part of this long Santiago day trip is its mix of wildlife and active fun. You take a boat from Zapallar to look for penguins, watch sea lions near Valparaíso, eat a Chilean picnic beside a paragliding school, and finish on the Concón dunes with a sandboard under your feet.

I like two things in particular: the lunch feels personal, with empanadas, homemade pebre, fruit, wine, and pisco sour, and the guides often teach you how to sandboard instead of simply handing you a board. The boat also supplies binoculars, which makes a real difference when the penguins are offshore.

The tradeoff is the length. This is a 9 to 13-hour outing, with road time, changing pickup plans, and a boat ride that can be rocky. Paragliding is not included, and weather may cancel it, so book this for a full adventure day, not a quick coastal excursion.

Quick facts for planning your day

• Penguin watching by boat: Leave from Zapallar and look for penguins and seabirds from the water, with binoculars supplied.
• Sea lions near Valparaíso: Make a short stop at a local fishing area before heading north.
• Chilean picnic with a Pacific view: Expect empanadas, pebre, fruit, nuts, Chilean wine, and pisco sour.
• Optional paragliding: Try a tandem flight with a professional instructor for an additional fee, if weather allows.
• Concón sandboarding: Use the supplied boards on the dunes, standing up or sitting down.
• Small-group format: The maximum is 12 people, and at least two people are needed for a Santiago departure.

From Santiago to the Pacific coast

This excursion links several coastal stops north of Santiago, but the route can change according to the day’s pickups. If people need collecting in Valparaíso, the vehicle may go from Santiago to Valparaíso first, then begin the main adventure there. If nobody needs pickup in Valparaíso, the group may follow a different order without that extra stop.

That matters because the day is not built around one fixed sightseeing loop. It is a coordinated outing with several moving parts: hotel or meeting-point pickups, a boat departure, lunch, optional paragliding, and a sunset return. The timing can stretch from nine hours to thirteen, so keep your evening free.

The vehicle is air-conditioned and has Wi-Fi, bottled water, and soft drinks. The maximum group size of 12 is small enough for the guides to help with boards, lunch, and activity choices. Guides named in the experiences include Jimmy, Simona, Lily, and Jay, with the exact team depending on the date.

Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, and the sea lions

The first coastal portion gives you a quick contrast between Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. Valparaíso is known for its hills and port character, while Viña del Mar is more polished and resort-oriented. You do not get a long city tour here, but passing through both helps you see how different these neighboring cities feel.

The sea lion stop is brief, around 10 minutes, but it adds a welcome burst of wildlife before the longer boat trip. The animals are viewed near a local fishing area, and you may also see other coastal life. Past outings have included pelicans, dolphins, and large jellyfish, although sightings are never guaranteed.

The route also passes Reñaca, a popular beach where Chilean families and well-known residents spend summer days. Again, this is mainly a drive-by view rather than a beach visit. You will have more time at Zapallar and the Concón dunes, so do not book this expecting hours in Valparaíso or Reñaca.

Zapallar and the boat to the penguins

Zapallar is one of the more exclusive seaside communities in Chile, with second homes belonging to presidents and wealthy families. The town and coastline provide a scenic setting for the boat departure, and the area includes ancient volcanic rocks around Playa de Zapallar.

The boat portion lasts about an hour. You head out to look for penguins gathered around the offshore islands and rocks, while binoculars help you spot birds and animals at a respectful distance. The boat can get close when sea conditions permit, but this is still wildlife viewing, not a zoo encounter. The penguins are free to move, and the distance can vary.

Bring motion-sickness medicine if you are prone to seasickness. One outing had notably rocky open-water conditions, while another had calm enough water for a closer approach. That difference is a useful warning: even a short boat trip can feel rough, and the experience depends on wind and sea conditions.

The reward is the setting as much as the penguins. You may see adult birds, young penguins, seabirds, and other marine life against the Pacific coast. Keep your camera ready, but use the binoculars first. They are supplied as part of the tour and let you watch without relying only on a phone zoom.

A Chilean picnic above the Pacific

After the penguin trip, the group stops at a paragliding school zone for lunch. The meal is served high above the Pacific, with open views and a chance to watch paragliders launch when conditions are right.

This is not a formal restaurant meal. It is a picnic built around local foods, and that is part of its appeal. Expect empanadas, homemade pebre, fruit, nuts, wine, pisco sour, bottled water, and soft drinks. The empanada selection may include seafood fillings such as crab, depending on what is arranged that day.

The homemade salsa has earned plenty of attention for good reason. It gives the meal a more local feel than a standard packed lunch, and the guides take care of setting out the food and cleaning up afterward. There is also enough food to make this a proper midday meal, not a small snack between activities.

You should remember that wine and pisco sour are included, but the setting is outdoors and the day still has physical activities ahead. Drink sensibly if you plan to sandboard later. Also bring a jacket or extra layer. One outing turned cold near the shore, and the paragliding school even had a Chilean-logo jacket available for purchase.

Paragliding is the optional thrill

The lunch stop doubles as a chance to try tandem paragliding. A professional instructor handles the flight, and the area functions as a paragliding school zone. Some instructors have strong competition backgrounds, including one connected with Chile’s Red Bull team.

Paragliding is not part of the $300 price. You pay an additional fee if you choose to fly, and the activity depends on suitable weather. The flight can be a major highlight, but you should not count on it as a guaranteed part of the day.

If you are interested, ask about the added cost and conditions before committing. The tour still works well without it. You can eat, enjoy the Pacific views, watch other people take off, and continue to the dunes afterward.

Weather affects more than paragliding. The entire experience requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. That policy is useful for a trip built around boats, coastal wind, and outdoor sports.

Sandboarding on the Concón dunes

The final major activity takes place at the Concón dunes. From the top, you get wide views over the coast and surrounding area before sliding down on a supplied sandboard.

You do not need to be an expert snowboarder. You can ride standing up if you want the full challenge, or sit down for a gentler and often funnier first attempt. The guides help with technique, and Jimmy is described as a former snowboarding instructor who can adjust the activity to different skill levels.

The dunes can be very hot, especially under direct sun. Wear light clothing, cover your skin, and bring sunscreen. Sunscreen is not included, so pack it yourself. Water is provided, but you should still use the water breaks offered during the day.

Sandboarding is a real activity, not just a photo stop. You will climb the dune, carry or handle the board, and make repeated attempts if you enjoy it. At the same time, you can take it easy. Some people choose not to board at all, and the rest of the itinerary still offers plenty to do.

The large dunes also give the day a strong final scene. After the sea, boats, wildlife, and picnic, you get a very different type of Chilean coast: dry, wind-shaped sand with the Pacific nearby.

What the $300 price includes

At $300 per person, this is expensive compared with a basic city tour or a simple penguin excursion. The value comes from the number of separate services bundled into one day.

The price includes transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, the boat trip, binoculars, sandboards, lunch, Chilean wine, pisco sour, soft drinks, bottled water, and Wi-Fi. It also covers the guide’s coordination across several locations and activities. Booking each part separately would take more planning and might not produce the same smooth connection between the penguin boat, picnic, and dunes.

The strongest value is for someone who wants variety. In one day, you get wildlife, a boat ride, local food, coastal towns, sandboarding, and the option of paragliding. If you only want penguins, the price may feel high. If you want three very different experiences and have limited time in Santiago, it makes more sense.

The small maximum group of 12 also helps. The day includes equipment, food preparation, and instruction, so a large coach group would make the experience less personal. The minimum of two people for Santiago departures is worth noting if you are booking alone or close to your travel date.

Timing, comfort, and practical concerns

Plan on a long day with a lot of sitting between active stops. The drive connects Santiago with the central coast, then links Valparaíso, Zapallar, the paragliding area, and Concón. A sunset return is possible, especially when the day runs toward the longer end of the schedule.

Wear shoes that can handle sand and outdoor walking. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a warm layer for the boat and coastal lunch. Motion-sickness medicine is smart if boat rides usually bother you.

The experience is offered in English and Spanish. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and the activity is listed as suitable for most people. Still, you should be comfortable with a boat ride, dune walking, and some physical effort on the sandboard.

The tour allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes inside 24 hours are not refunded, and the operator may offer a new date or full refund if poor weather or low enrollment forces cancellation.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would choose this for couples, families with active older children, solo visitors who enjoy meeting a small group, and friends who want a packed day outside Santiago. It is especially good for anyone who wants more than a standard Valparaíso sightseeing trip.

The format also suits people who like trying new activities without arranging every detail themselves. You can attempt sandboarding at your own pace, add paragliding if you want, and still enjoy the penguins and food if you decide to skip the more active parts.

I would think twice if you dislike long drives, rough water, hot sun, or changing plans. This is not a slow coastal walk with hours at each beach. It is a full schedule with several short transitions and one longer boat outing.

Should you book the penguins, picnic, and dunes tour?

Book it if you want one big coastal adventure rather than a narrow wildlife trip. The combination of penguins by boat, sea lions, a homemade Chilean picnic, optional paragliding, and Concón sandboarding gives the day unusual range.

The $300 price is easiest to justify when you use several parts of the package, especially the boat, lunch, and sandboarding. If paragliding is your main goal, confirm the extra price and weather rules first. If penguins are your only priority, look for a shorter boat-focused option.

For a first visit to Santiago, I like this as a high-energy day outside the city. Pack sunscreen, prepare for a long ride, take seasickness medicine if needed, and keep your schedule open until evening. If that sounds appealing, Go Penguins offers a memorable way to connect the Chilean coast’s wildlife, food, and outdoor thrills.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 9 to 13 hours, depending on the route, pickups, and conditions.

Where does the tour start?

It runs from Santiago, with possible pickup or passenger collection in Valparaíso. The exact order can change depending on whether other passengers need to be picked up there.

What languages are offered?

The experience is offered in English and Spanish.

Is the boat trip included?

Yes. The boat ride from Zapallar to see the penguins is included in the price.

Are binoculars provided?

Yes. Binoculars are supplied for penguin and wildlife viewing.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The picnic includes typical Chilean foods such as empanadas, pebre, fruit, nuts, wine, pisco sour, bottled water, and soft drinks.

Is paragliding included?

No. Paragliding and the instructor cost extra. The activity also depends on suitable weather.

Is sandboarding equipment provided?

Yes. Sandboards are included, and you may ride standing up or sitting down.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You may be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation.