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

The best part of this full-day outing is the range: you can watch wild penguins from a small boat, spot sea lions near a fishing market, eat empanadas with a Pacific view, and slide down the Concon dunes before heading back to Santiago. It is a lot of Chile in one long day. Penguins by boat and sandboarding are the main draws.

I like the generous picnic, with empanadas, fruit, nuts, homemade salsa, wine, and pisco sour. I also like that binoculars and sandboards are supplied, so you do not need to rent gear or pack a wildlife kit. Guides such as Jimmy, Simona, and Lily add a personal touch, often helping with food, equipment, and the day’s timing.

The tradeoff is simple: this is a long excursion, usually 9 to 13 hours, with substantial driving. The boat can be rocky in open water, the dunes can be very hot, and paragliding is an extra-cost option that may be canceled by weather.

Key things to know before you book

• Wildlife comes first: A boat ride from Zapallar takes you toward penguins, with binoculars provided for viewing from the water.
• The picnic is a real meal: Expect empanadas, pebre, fruit, nuts, Chilean wine, pisco sour, soft drinks, and bottled water.
• Sandboarding is included: You can ride standing or sitting, and guides can adjust the activity to your comfort level.
• Paragliding costs extra: The lunch stop is at a paragliding school, but the flight and instructor are not part of the $300 tour price.
• The route can change: Santiago and Valparaiso pickups may alter the order of stops, and weather or road closures can affect activities.
• Small groups keep it personal: The tour requires at least two people and accepts a maximum of 12.

Why this coastal day is worth the long hours

At $300 per person, this is not a cheap bus ride to one viewpoint. You are paying for a private-feeling day that combines transport from Santiago, a boat trip, wildlife viewing, food, drinks, sandboards, binoculars, and a guide who stays with you through several different activities.

I see the value most clearly if you want variety. A separate penguin trip may give you more time for wildlife, while a focused beach outing may feel calmer. This experience instead links the coast north of Valparaiso with several active stops. You can see sea lions, pass through seaside towns, watch penguins, try Chilean food, and ride dunes in one outing.

The 9 to 13 hour range matters. The exact length depends on pickup arrangements, road conditions, traffic, and how the day is organized. If you have only one free day outside Santiago, the packed schedule makes sense. If you prefer slow meals and long walks, you may find the pace tiring.

The group limit of 12 is useful. You are not signing up for a huge coach excursion, and the guides can give more help during sandboarding or lunch. The minimum is two people, so solo bookings depend on another person joining.

Starting from Santiago, with Valparaiso in the mix

The pickup plan is a little unusual. If other people need to be collected in Valparaiso, the vehicle may first take Santiago passengers toward Valparaiso, pick up the other passengers, and then begin the coastal adventure from there.

If no Valparaiso pickup is needed, the route runs from Santiago in the other direction and does not pass through Valparaiso. This means you should not assume the stops will happen in the same order every day.

That flexibility helps the operator fit several pickup points into one outing, but it also means the first part of your morning can vary. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and WiFi is included. Bring water anyway, since you will spend time outdoors and on hot sand.

The route passes Valparaiso and Viña del Mar, giving you a quick look at the contrast between the two coastal cities. Valparaiso is known for its hills and working port character, while Viña del Mar is more polished and resort-oriented. The tour does not offer a full city visit in both places, so think of this section as an introduction rather than a city tour.

You also pass Reñaca, a popular beach area, and Concon. Along the way, you may see large buildings set into or beside the dunes, an unusual sight before the sandboarding stop. These passing views help break up the drive, but the day’s main focus remains wildlife and outdoor activity.

Sea lions near the fishing market

One of the first short stops is for sea lions. The stop lasts about 10 minutes, so it is a quick wildlife encounter rather than a long observation session.

The setting near a local fisherman’s market adds useful context. You are seeing the animals in a working coastal environment, not inside a formal exhibit. You may also find pelicans in the area, and some outings have included dolphins and other marine life.

Bring your binoculars, though the operator supplies them. They are especially handy for birds and for spotting animals at a little distance. Keep your phone ready, but do not expect every animal to pose close enough for a perfect photograph.

This stop is brief because the boat trip is the main wildlife event. Still, it gives you an early taste of the Pacific coast and a chance to stretch your legs after the drive.

The Zapallar boat ride to the penguins

The boat departs from Zapallar, one of Chile’s prestigious seaside communities, associated with second homes and summer visits by wealthy Chileans. The town’s polished feel contrasts with the raw marine setting you reach by boat.

The boat portion lasts about an hour. From the water, you look toward penguin habitat and other birdlife. The protected setting means you observe the animals from the boat rather than walking up to them or handling them. Binoculars are supplied, and the boat may get close enough for good viewing when sea conditions allow.

This is the emotional center of the day. Wild penguins are not guaranteed to perform on cue, but the outing is built around reaching their coastal habitat. You might see adults and young penguins, as well as seabirds. Some outings have also included jellyfish and dolphins.

Here is the practical warning: open water can be rough. One person found the ride comfortable, while noting that others could have trouble with seasickness. If you know you are sensitive, bring your usual motion-sickness medicine. That advice matters more than bringing a better camera.

The ride can also feel chilly, even on a sunny day. Take a light layer, especially if you plan to sit exposed to the wind. The boat has a working purpose, so this is not a luxury cruise. You are going out to view wildlife, and the water conditions shape the experience.

Afterward, you may have time for a walk near the coast or in a nearby town such as Papudo, depending on the day’s route. Papudo has been used as a pleasant stop for a stroll, but the supplied schedule does not promise a fixed walking visit every time. Ask your guide what is planned that day.

Zapallar’s volcanic rocks and Pacific views

Playa de Zapallar is noted for ancient volcanic rocks, which give the shoreline a more rugged character than a simple sandy beach. This detail is easy to miss if you focus only on the penguins, so take a moment to look at the coast itself.

Zapallar also provides a strong contrast in atmosphere. The town is associated with presidents and millionaires, yet your day quickly moves from its elegant beach setting to wildlife viewing, a cliffside picnic, and open dunes.

The coastal scenery is one reason the long drive feels worthwhile. You are not simply traveling between attractions in a van. The route links different kinds of Pacific shoreline, from working fishing areas to fashionable beach towns and exposed sand dunes.

A Chilean picnic beside the paragliding school

Lunch takes place near or at a paragliding school, high enough to provide broad Pacific views. Depending on weather and flying conditions, you may watch people take off from the nearby launch area.

The meal is generous and local. Expect empanadas, pebre, fruit, nuts, wine, pisco sour, soda, and bottled water. Empanada choices have included crab, and homemade salsa has been a memorable part of the spread. The guides set the food out and clear it afterward, which lets you focus on the view rather than managing a packed lunch.

I like this stop because it feels more personal than a standard restaurant meal. You are eating familiar Chilean foods outdoors, with the sea below and paragliders overhead when conditions cooperate. It also gives you a quieter hour and a half between the boat and the dunes.

The alcohol deserves a practical note. Chilean wine and pisco sour are included, so pace yourself. You still have an active sandboarding session ahead, and the day can be hot.

Paragliding is optional and costs extra. The flight and instructor are not included in the $300 price. The school uses professional instructors, and some instructors have competition or Red Bull team experience, but you should treat the flight as a separate purchase.

Weather controls this part of the day. A flight may not happen if conditions are poor, even if the rest of the outing proceeds. One family missed paragliding because of weather and still found plenty to do. That is the right way to view it: paragliding is a possible bonus, not the core promise of the tour.

Sandboarding on the Concon dunes

The Concon dunes provide the day’s most active stop. You climb to a high point for views over the coast, then ride down on a supplied sandboard.

You can stand or sit. That makes the activity workable for different confidence levels, and you do not need snowboarding experience to try the easier version. Jimmy has been described as a former snowboarding instructor, and his background can be useful if you want help with balance, turning, or choosing a manageable slope.

The sand gets hot. Wear shoes that can handle fine sand, bring sunglasses, and apply sunscreen before leaving the vehicle. Sunscreen is not included, so pack your own.

You can take the dunes gently or ride more aggressively. If you are athletic and want speed, ask the guide which section suits you. If you are cautious, sitting down still gives you the fun of sliding without the same balance demands.

The setting is highly scenic, but the heat and uphill walking can make this stop more tiring than it first appears. Sand is harder to walk through than firm ground. Plan on getting dusty, and do not wear clothing you need to keep spotless for dinner.

The boards are included, which improves the value. You are not paying extra for a short rental session after already paying for the day. The guide’s instruction also matters because a few basic tips can turn a frustrating first attempt into a successful run.

How the day handles changes and delays

The operator has to coordinate Santiago and possible Valparaiso pickups, a boat departure, a lunch setting, and the dunes. The order can change. A road closure once led to an alpaca visit replacing sandboarding for part of the day, showing that the guide may improvise when local conditions interfere.

That flexibility is useful, but you should not book this expecting a rigid minute-by-minute schedule. The day may also be shortened or changed by weather. Poor conditions can cancel the whole outing, with the choice of another date or a full refund.

Paragliding has its own weather limits. If it matters more to you than the penguins or sandboarding, ask before booking how the operator handles a flight that cannot run. The published terms cover cancellation of the experience because of poor weather, while the flight itself is an additional activity.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that period are not accepted for a refund. The minimum group size is two, and the maximum is 12.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would choose this outing if you want a big day with several distinct experiences rather than one specialist activity. It suits couples, families with active older children, solo visitors who enjoy social days, and friends who want wildlife mixed with adventure.

It is especially useful if your Santiago schedule does not allow separate trips to the coast, penguin habitat, and dunes. You get transport, food, equipment, and a guide in one booking.

I would hesitate if you dislike long drives, rough boat rides, heat, or changing plans. The wildlife viewing is from a boat, not on foot, and the penguins are not a guaranteed close-up photo opportunity. Sandboarding is included, but it is still physical.

The experience is offered in English and Spanish. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can take part. Still, contact the operator directly if you have mobility or medical concerns, since the day includes a boat, dunes, outdoor walking, and an active board session.

Final call: book it for variety, not for a quiet day

I would book this Go Penguins outing if I had one open day from Santiago and wanted the coast in several forms: sea lions, penguins, volcanic rocks, Chilean food, Pacific views, and sandboarding. The included picnic and equipment make the $300 price easier to justify, especially when a small group and personal guide service matter to you.

Book with realistic expectations. This is a long, active day, not a relaxed beach transfer. Bring sunscreen, a warm layer for the boat, motion-sickness medicine if needed, sunglasses, and clothes that can handle sand.

Paragliding can be a thrilling extra, but I would make the penguins, picnic, and dunes my reasons for booking. If those three appeal to you, the optional flight becomes a welcome addition rather than a source of disappointment.

FAQ

How long does the tour from Santiago take?

The experience lasts approximately 9 to 13 hours. The total time can vary with pickup arrangements, traffic, weather, and the order of the stops.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English and Spanish.

Are penguins seen from the shore or a boat?

You board a boat in Zapallar and view the penguins from the water. The boat portion lasts about one hour, and binoculars are provided.

Is sandboarding included in the price?

Yes. Sandboards are supplied, and the Concon Dunes session is included. You can ride standing or sitting.

Does the $300 price include paragliding?

No. Paragliding and the instructor cost extra. The lunch stop takes place at a paragliding school, where you might watch flights if weather permits.

What food and drinks are included?

The picnic includes empanadas, pebre, fruit, nuts, Chilean wine, pisco sour, soda, and bottled water. Lunch is included in the tour price.

What happens if bad weather cancels the experience?

If poor weather cancels the experience, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The tour also requires a minimum of two participants, and a cancellation caused by not meeting that minimum offers the same choices.