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

Penguins are only the beginning. This long day from Santiago combines a small boat trip to see wild penguins, sea lions near a local fish market, sandboarding at Concon, and a picnic of Chilean food and drinks. I like the variety of experiences, and I like that the tour includes equipment, binoculars, transport, and lunch rather than charging for every small extra. The main drawback is the length: at 9 to 13 hours, this is a serious day out, with plenty of time on the road.

The tour runs in English or Spanish and carries no more than 12 people. Guides Jimmy, Simona, Lily, and other members of the Go Penguins team are praised for warm service, homemade salsa, good timing, and patient sandboard instruction. Bring sun protection and consider motion sickness medicine, since the boat can be rocky in open water.

Key things to know before booking

• Wild penguins by small boat: You use binoculars and supplied boat transport to watch penguins around a protected island and nearby birds.
• Three very different activities: The day links wildlife viewing, sandboarding, and optional tandem paragliding, so it feels more like an active outing than a standard sightseeing trip.
• A proper Chilean picnic: Expect empanadas, pebre, fruit, nuts, Chilean wine, pisco sour, soft drinks, and bottled water.
• Concon dunes with supplied boards: You can sandboard standing up or sitting down, and the pace can be gentle or more adventurous.
• Weather affects paragliding: The flight costs extra and depends on safe conditions, so treat it as a bonus rather than a guaranteed part of the day.
• A small group helps: With a maximum of 12 people and a minimum of two for departures from Santiago, the outing is easier to manage than a large coach trip.

Why this Santiago day trip packs in so much

This experience is built for people who do not want to choose between wildlife, food, coast, and outdoor fun. In one day, you travel from Santiago toward the Pacific coast, pass through Valparaiso and Viña del Mar, visit beach towns, take a boat to see penguins, eat above the ocean, and finish on the Concon dunes.

That variety is the tour’s strongest feature. A penguin trip on its own might take you far from Santiago for one main activity. Here, the boat ride is only one part of a full coastal route. You also get sea lions, beaches, volcanic rock at Playa de Zapallar, local food, wine, and the chance to try two aerial or sliding activities.

The tradeoff is simple: this is not a relaxed, slow-paced beach day. The route covers a lot of ground, and the exact order can change depending on passenger pickups. If other people need to be collected in Valparaiso, the vehicle may go there first. If not, the tour can run from Santiago in the other direction without that extra stop.

From Santiago through Valparaiso and Viña del Mar

The day begins with pickup in Santiago in an air-conditioned vehicle. If the group includes people starting in Valparaiso, the route may first head there to collect them. That can add time, but it also gives you a look at the contrast between Valparaiso and Viña del Mar.

Valparaiso is known for its hills, port setting, and scruffy artistic character. Viña del Mar feels more polished and resort-like. The tour does not promise a full walking tour of either city, so think of this part as a passing introduction rather than a deep city visit.

You may also pass Reñaca, a popular beach where well-known Chileans spend summer holidays. The views change quickly as the route leaves the city and follows the coast north. Along the way, you may see the large building set into the sand dunes, a memorable marker before the sandboarding stop later in the day.

The vehicle includes WiFi, soda, and bottled water. Those small comforts matter on a full-day route. Still, you should expect a substantial amount of driving, particularly on the Santiago version of the tour.

Sea lions near the local fish market

One early stop is a short visit to see sea lions. The setting is connected with a local fisherman’s market, which gives the stop a more everyday coastal feel than a formal wildlife park.

You have about 10 minutes here, so do not expect a long walk or a detailed animal study. It is a quick chance to watch the sea lions and see part of the working coast before continuing toward Viña del Mar, Concon, and Zapallar.

This stop also helps set expectations for the wildlife portion of the day. The animals are viewed in their natural setting, and conditions can shape what you see. The outing is about watching wildlife respectfully, not guaranteeing a staged close encounter.

The boat from Zapallar to the penguin island

The most anticipated part of the day begins at Playa de Zapallar. This is one of Chile’s more prestigious coastal areas, with second homes associated with presidents and wealthy Chileans. The town provides a striking setting for the boat departure, with ancient volcanic rocks adding geological interest to the shore.

The boat ride lasts about an hour. You use binoculars supplied by the tour to look for penguins on and around a protected island. The boat can get close when sea conditions allow, but you should still bring a camera with a zoom function if wildlife photographs matter to you.

The penguins are not the only possible sight. The trip has included pelicans, dolphins, other seabirds, and large jellyfish. That makes the boat ride feel like a wider coastal wildlife outing rather than a single-species visit.

The practical warning is the motion of the boat. One account describes a fairly rocky ride in open water, while calmer conditions allowed the boat to approach the island more closely. If you are prone to seasickness, pack the medicine you normally use. The tour supplies binoculars, but it does not supply medication.

You should also remember that wildlife viewing is never fully predictable. You might see many penguins, including young birds, or you might spend more time scanning the island and water. That uncertainty is part of seeing animals in the wild.

Chilean lunch above the Pacific Ocean

After the boat trip, the group stops at a paragliding school zone on a cliff above the Pacific. This is where the day shifts from wildlife to food and adventure.

The picnic is a real strength. You can expect empanadas, pebre, fruit, nuts, Chilean wine, pisco sour, soft drinks, and water. The empanadas may include different fillings, including crab, and the homemade salsa has earned special praise. The team sets up the meal and clears it afterward, making the stop feel generous rather than like a rushed packed lunch.

The setting matters as much as the food. You eat with a broad ocean view while professional paragliders may be taking off nearby. It is a pleasant pause after the boat ride and before the more physical dune activity.

The tour description says the team makes sure nobody leaves hungry. That is useful information for a long day, but dietary needs beyond the stated food are not explained. If you have an important allergy or restriction, ask before booking rather than assuming the picnic can be changed.

Optional paragliding with an extra fee

Paragliding is available at the lunch stop for an additional cost, with a professional instructor. The flight is not included in the $300 tour price, and it may not operate if weather conditions are poor.

Several people have praised this part, including one person who flew with an instructor connected to Chile’s Red Bull team. Another guide, Danny, was singled out as a strong instructor. Those details suggest that the paragliding school works with experienced professionals, but the specific instructor and price are not guaranteed.

You should see this as an optional upgrade, not one of the included activities. If flying is the main reason you want to book, confirm the extra cost, availability, and weather rules ahead of time.

Weather can also cancel the flight while leaving the rest of the tour possible. One family missed paragliding because of conditions but still had a memorable day with the penguins, sea lions, food, and sandboarding. That is the right way to approach it: enjoy the included route, and add the flight if the conditions cooperate.

Sandboarding on the Concon dunes

The final major activity takes place at the Concon dunes. From the top, you get wide views and a long sandy run for sliding. Sandboards are supplied, and you can ride standing up or sitting down.

This is more approachable than the word sandboarding may suggest. You do not need to be an experienced snowboarder, and the reviews include people who skipped the activity because they did not feel athletic, as well as people who found it easy and fun. The choice is yours.

Jimmy has been described as a former snowboarding instructor and a patient teacher. That background is useful here because a good first lesson can turn an awkward slide into a genuine highlight. You can take the dune at an easy pace or attempt a faster section if you feel confident.

Expect heat. The sand can be very hot, especially during the middle of the day, and sunscreen is not included. Wear clothing suitable for sun and sand, and bring any sun protection you need. The activity lasts about an hour, which is enough time to try several runs without making the whole day about exercise.

If you prefer sightseeing to sport, you can focus on the views from the dunes and take part at your own level. This flexibility makes the stop workable for mixed groups, including families and couples with different comfort levels.

The $300 price and what it covers

At $300 per person, this is not a cheap day trip. It is also not simply a transport service to a beach. The price includes Santiago transport, an air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi, bottled water, soda, binoculars, sandboards, the boat ride, lunch, Chilean wine, and pisco sour.

The value comes from the number of separate arrangements handled in one day. A boat outing, wildlife viewing, a substantial picnic, dune equipment, and the coastal route would be difficult to organize independently without spending time coordinating several providers.

The small maximum group of 12 also matters. You are not being moved with a large crowd, and the guides can give more attention during sandboarding and lunch. The minimum of two people for the Santiago departure means solo bookers need to understand that a departure can depend on enough bookings.

I would book this for a special activity day, not for the lowest-cost way to reach the coast. If you are mainly interested in penguins, a simpler wildlife trip may better suit your budget. If you want three active stops plus food and transport, the price is easier to justify.

What the guides add to the day

The guide team is a major part of the experience. Jimmy is repeatedly described as patient, funny, helpful, and good at teaching sandboarding. Simona and Lily have also been praised for hosting, organizing lunch, and taking care of the group.

That personal service shows up in small ways. The team has prepared extra homemade food, helped someone find a warm jacket near the paragliding site, and adapted the route when a road was closed for a religious pilgrimage. On that occasion, an alpaca visit replaced sandboarding until the route problem was handled.

You should still allow for changes. Pickup arrangements can vary, roads can close, and weather can alter the order or remove paragliding. The useful point is that the team appears willing to adjust rather than simply abandon the day’s activities.

Timing, comfort, and who should book

Plan on 9 to 13 hours, depending on pickups, traffic, route order, and conditions. That range is wide, so avoid scheduling a flight, dinner reservation, or other fixed plan immediately after the tour.

This outing suits couples, families with active children, solo visitors, and friends who want a social day with several activities. It works especially well if you enjoy trying something new without needing expert skills.

It is less suitable if you dislike long drives, boat motion, hot sand, or changing plans. Anyone with limited mobility should ask the provider for current details, since the day includes a boat, a cliffside lunch setting, and dune activity. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but the supplied information does not give detailed access notes for every stop.

The tour is offered in English and Spanish. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather or an unmet minimum can also lead to a different date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book this penguin and sandboarding tour?

I would book it if you want a full coastal adventure rather than a single attraction. The best parts are the wild penguins, the homemade Chilean picnic, the small-group care, and the chance to try sandboarding without renting equipment.

Book with realistic expectations. The day is long, the boat may be rough, paragliding costs extra and depends on weather, and the route can change around pickups or road conditions. For me, the mix of wildlife, food, sea views, and outdoor activity gives the $300 price a fair value, especially for visitors with limited time in Santiago.

If you want a calm day or a tightly timed excursion, choose something shorter. If you want penguins plus a memorable taste of Chile’s central coast, Go Penguins offers an unusually full day.

FAQ

How long does the tour from Santiago last?

The experience lasts approximately 9 to 13 hours. The exact length can depend on passenger pickups, traffic, route order, and weather.

What is included in the $300 price?

The price includes lunch, bottled water, soda, Chilean wine, pisco sour, sandboards, binoculars, an air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, and the boat ride.

Is paragliding included?

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

Will I definitely see penguins?

The tour takes you by boat to view wild penguins near Zapallar. Wildlife sightings can vary, but the experience is designed for penguin viewing and may also include seabirds, sea lions, dolphins, and jellyfish.

Is the boat ride rough?

It can be. Conditions vary, and the boat may be rocky in open water. If you usually get seasick, bring your preferred motion sickness medicine.

Do I need to bring a sandboard?

No. Sandboards are supplied. You can sandboard standing up or sitting down.

Is lunch provided?

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

What languages are available?

The experience is offered in English and Spanish.

What happens if weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather cancels the experience, you can receive a different date or a full refund. Weather may also prevent paragliding while the rest of the outing continues.