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

The best part of this day is the mix: wild penguins by boat, sea lions near Valparaiso, a Chilean picnic on a Pacific cliff, and sandboarding at Concon. It is not a single-purpose wildlife trip. You get coast, food, wildlife, and a little adrenaline in one long outing.

I like the homemade touches, especially the empanadas, pebre, fruit, wine, and pisco sour served at lunch. I also like that sandboards, binoculars, bottled water, and the boat ride are included. The main drawback is the length. At 9 to 13 hours, this is a serious day out, and the open-water ride can be rocky.

What makes this day different

• Penguins from a small boat: You head out from Zapallar to view penguins and other sea life from the water, with binoculars supplied.
• A proper Chilean picnic: Expect empanadas, homemade salsa, fruit, nuts, Chilean wine, and pisco sour at a paragliding school overlooking the Pacific.
• Sandboarding included: At the Concon Dunes, you can ride standing up or sitting down, with guidance from people who know the sport.
• Optional paragliding: You can pay extra to fly with an instructor if weather permits.
• A changing coastal route: Depending on pickup needs, the day may pass through Valparaiso, Viña del Mar, Reñaca, Papudo, Zapallar, and Concon.
• Small-group format: The group is capped at 12 people, and the Santiago departure requires at least two bookings.

From Santiago to the Pacific coast

Go Penguins runs this as a full-day trip from Santiago, usually lasting between 9 and 13 hours. That wide time range matters. Pickup arrangements can change the route, and the group may need to collect or drop off people in Valparaiso.

If other passengers are joining in Valparaiso, you may drive from Santiago toward that city first, pick them up, then begin the coastal portion of the adventure. If no Valparaiso pickup is needed, the route can run from Santiago in the other direction without that stop.

The vehicle is air-conditioned and has WiFi. Bottled water and soft drinks are included, which is useful on a warm day when the coastal stops and sand dunes add up. Still, I would bring sunscreen, since it is specifically not supplied, along with a hat and comfortable clothes that can handle sand.

The group size is limited to 12. That is small enough for a more personal day, but this is still a shared outing, not a private car with a custom schedule. Guides have included Jimmy, Simona, Lily, Liliana, Jay, and Simon, depending on the departure. The exact guide team may vary.

Valparaiso, Viña del Mar, and the sea lions

The first part of the route introduces you to the contrast between Valparaiso and Viña del Mar. Valparaiso is known for its hills and working port character, while Viña del Mar feels more polished and resort-like. You do not get a long city tour here, but the drive gives you a useful look at how different these neighboring coastal cities feel.

A short stop near Valparaiso focuses on sea lions. This is not a formal wildlife center or a long guided walk. You stop, observe the animals, and continue toward the northern coast. The stay is listed at about 10 minutes, so keep your expectations in check. It is a quick encounter, but it adds another wild-animal sighting before the boat trip.

The route can also pass Reñaca, a popular beach associated with summer holidays and upscale coastal life. You may see the large sand-dune building used as a reference point before reaching the dunes later in the day. These drive-by sections help connect the stops, but they should not be mistaken for full sightseeing visits.

The Zapallar boat trip for penguins

The main wildlife outing begins at Zapallar, one of Chile’s more prestigious beach communities. The town is known for second homes belonging to wealthy Chileans, including presidents and other prominent figures. That gives the stop a different feel from the working waterfront around Valparaiso.

From Zapallar, you board a boat for roughly an hour. The purpose is to view penguins on or around an offshore island, along with seabirds and possibly other marine life. Binoculars are supplied, although a phone camera with a zoom function will help if you want recognizable photographs.

This is wildlife viewing, not a visit where you walk among penguins. You remain on the boat and observe from the water. The boat may get fairly close when sea conditions allow, but the animals and protected area still set the rules. That is the right approach: you get a clear view without turning the stop into a noisy shore visit.

The ride can be rocky in open water. One person specifically found the sea manageable but advised bringing motion-sickness medicine if you need it. I would take that advice seriously. The day includes a small boat, changing conditions, and a long schedule. If you are prone to seasickness, prepare before leaving Santiago rather than waiting until the boat starts moving.

Penguins are the main reason many people book this outing, and the boat trip is likely to be the emotional high point. You might also see pelicans, sea lions, dolphins, birds, and large jellyfish, but none of these sightings is guaranteed. Weather affects both visibility and the comfort of the ride.

A picnic beside the paragliding launch area

After the penguin trip, the group stops for lunch at a paragliding school above the Pacific. The setting gives you broad ocean views while paragliders may launch nearby. You are not required to fly, so you can simply eat, watch the activity, and enjoy the coast.

The meal is more substantial than a basic packed lunch. It includes Chilean empanadas, pebre, fruit, nuts, wine, pisco sour, water, and soft drinks. Empanada fillings can include choices such as crab, depending on what is arranged that day. Guides have also prepared homemade salsa, and the portions are intended to leave you well fed before sandboarding.

I like this part because it connects the food to the place. You are not being rushed through a restaurant between attractions. Instead, you get a casual outdoor meal with local flavors and a view of the ocean. Chilean wine and pisco sour are included, so pace yourself if you plan to sandboard later.

Paragliding is available for an additional charge. The flight is with a professional instructor, and the area serves as a school and training zone. One memorable flight included an instructor from Chile’s Red Bull team, but that kind of instructor cannot be promised on every departure.

Weather can cancel the flight. One family missed paragliding because conditions were unsuitable, though the rest of the day still went ahead. That is an important point: book this for the full combination of activities, not only for the flight. If paragliding is your main goal, ask about conditions and the extra price before you commit.

Sandboarding at the Concon Dunes

The final major activity is sandboarding at the Concon Dunes. From the top, you get views over the dunes and coast before sliding down on a supplied board. You can ride standing up, sit down, or simply try a gentle run while learning the basic movement.

This activity suits a wide range of confidence levels. Some people skip it because they do not feel athletic, while others make it the highlight of the day. You do not need to treat it like a competition. Sitting and sliding still count, and the guides can help you find an approach that feels manageable.

Jimmy has been described as a snowboarding and sandboarding instructor, which is useful if you want to improve rather than simply tumble down the slope. His guidance can help you control speed and make repeated runs more enjoyable. The dunes can be very hot, so wear light clothing, protect your skin, and bring water even though water is supplied.

Sand gets everywhere. That is part of the fun, but it is worth leaving expensive cameras and delicate electronics protected. The supplied equipment covers the sandboards, not personal clothing, footwear, or sunscreen.

The dunes are also a good payoff after the slower wildlife and food portions. You get open space, a physical activity, and a chance to choose your own level of effort. If you have knee, balance, or mobility concerns, you can sit out or take the gentler option, but the activity itself is not passive.

What the $300 price buys you

At $300 per person, this is not a cheap coastal transfer. It is a full package combining transportation from Santiago, guiding, the boat excursion, binoculars, sandboards, lunch, drinks, and several separate stops.

The value is strongest if you want several different experiences in one day. Booking separate transportation to the coast, arranging a penguin boat, buying lunch, renting a sandboard, and organizing a paragliding flight could become complicated. Here, those pieces are joined into one route, with a small maximum group of 12.

The value is weaker if you only want penguins. In that case, a shorter wildlife excursion may suit you better. You are paying for the long coastal drive, the Valparaiso and Viña del Mar route, the sea lions, the picnic, and sandboarding as well as the penguins.

The included alcohol is another plus for some people, but it is not a reason to overdo it. You still have a boat, hot dunes, and a long ride ahead. A modest glass of wine or pisco sour at lunch makes more sense than turning the middle of the day into a drinking session.

The pace, comfort, and practical tradeoffs

This is a long day with several moving parts. Pickup and drop-off needs can affect the order, and the total time may land anywhere from 9 to 13 hours. That flexibility helps the operator manage a mixed group, but it makes the exact schedule less predictable.

The air-conditioned vehicle is important because the day crosses city roads, coastal roads, and sandy areas. WiFi is included, though you should not expect it to replace a strong personal connection everywhere along the route.

The tour is offered in English and Spanish. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the Santiago departure requires at least two people. The maximum group size is 12. Service animals are allowed, and the experience is near public transportation, though the main arrangement is pickup by the tour vehicle.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations later than that are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. Poor weather can also cancel the day, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Who should book this coastal adventure

I would choose this for a first visit to the Santiago region if I wanted to see more than the capital. It packs several strong Chilean experiences into one day: Pacific coast towns, marine wildlife, local food, a Chilean drink, and a sandy outdoor activity.

It is especially good for couples, families with active older children, solo visitors who enjoy joining a small group, and friends who want a full schedule. The guides have been praised for being social, patient, funny, and willing to help with the food setup, equipment, and activity instruction.

You should think twice if you dislike long drives, boats, heat, or changing plans. The penguin ride may be choppy, the dunes may be hot, and paragliding depends on weather. This is also not the right choice if you want a quiet beach day or a slow, detailed tour of Valparaiso.

Bring sunscreen, motion-sickness medicine if needed, sunglasses, a hat, a swimsuit or spare clothes if you prefer, and a phone or camera with zoom. Wear shoes that can handle sand, and keep valuables protected during the dune portion.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want one very full day with four distinct draws: penguins, sea lions, a Chilean picnic, and sandboarding. The included equipment and food make the $300 easier to justify, especially if you would otherwise need several separate bookings.

Skip it if penguins are your only priority or if you need a tightly timed itinerary. For everyone else, Go Penguins offers a lively, varied day that makes good use of the Pacific coast. Just arrive ready for a long ride, a rocking boat, hot sand, and a schedule that may change with the group.

FAQ

How long does the tour from Santiago last?

The experience lasts approximately 9 to 13 hours. The total time can vary depending on pickup and drop-off arrangements, including possible stops in Valparaiso.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English and Spanish.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes Chilean food such as empanadas, pebre, fruit, nuts, wine, and pisco sour. Bottled water and soft drinks are also included.

Are sandboards and binoculars provided?

Yes. Sandboards and binoculars are supplied, along with the boat ride and transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Does the tour include paragliding?

Paragliding is optional and costs extra. An instructor is required, and the activity depends on suitable weather conditions.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 12 people. The Santiago departure requires a minimum of two participants.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded. If poor weather or an unmet minimum causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.