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

The best part of this long day is the variety. You start with wild sea lions and penguins, then shift gears for empanadas, wine, pisco sour, optional paragliding, and a run down the Concon Dunes. It feels less like a single sightseeing stop and more like several Chilean day trips stitched together.

I like the small-group feel, with no more than 12 people, and I like that sandboards, binoculars, lunch, and drinks are already covered. The homemade salsa and flexible guides, including Jimmy, Simona, and Lily, add a personal touch. The main drawback is the length: expect roughly 9 to 13 hours, plus a potentially rocky boat ride and changing weather for paragliding.

Key points before you book

• Penguins by small boat: You travel from Zapallar toward a protected penguin area and view the animals from the water with supplied binoculars.
• A full Chilean picnic: Empanadas, pebre, fruit, nuts, wine, and pisco sour are served near a paragliding school above the Pacific.
• Sandboarding is included: The Concon Dunes provide dramatic views and an easy way to try the sport sitting down or standing.
• Paragliding costs extra: You can arrange a flight with a professional instructor, but it is not part of the $300 tour price.
• The route changes with pickups: The exact order depends on whether other passengers need collecting or dropping off in Valparaiso.
• Weather matters: Paragliding and the boat portion depend on conditions, and the whole outing can be canceled or rescheduled if weather is poor.

Why this day works so well

Santiago is inland, while the Pacific coast is where this experience earns its keep. In one outing, you get a taste of Valparaiso, Viña del Mar, Reñaca, Zapallar, Papudo, and Concon. You do not spend much time at each place, but the changing scenery keeps the long drive from feeling like dead time.

I especially like the mix of calm and active moments. You can watch penguins and sea lions, sit down to a generous lunch, then choose how hard you want to work on the dunes. That range makes the day suitable for a mixed group, since one person can chase an adrenaline rush while another takes photos and enjoys the view.

The price is $300 per person, which is not cheap. Still, it covers transportation, a boat trip, lunch, drinks, equipment, and a guide for a very long day. Once you add the cost and hassle of arranging each part separately, the price becomes easier to justify. Paragliding remains an additional charge, so budget for that separately if it is central to your plans.

Santiago, Valparaiso, and a flexible route

The pickup plan is not identical every day. If other people need pickup in Valparaiso, the vehicle first heads from Santiago to Valparaiso, collects them, and then begins the coastal adventure. If no Valparaiso pickup is needed, the tour can run from Santiago in a different order without that extra stop.

That flexibility helps the operator fit a small group together, but it means you should not expect a perfectly fixed sequence. The day can last from 9 to 13 hours, so keep your schedule clear in the evening.

The air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi, bottled water, and soda make the long road sections easier. You may hear local history and practical information along the way, but the main value of the drive is getting you between several coastal activities without having to organize separate transfers.

Valparaiso, Viña del Mar, and the sea lions

Valparaiso is used partly as a pickup point and partly as a quick introduction to the coast. You pass through Valparaiso and Viña del Mar, seeing the contrast between the port city and the more polished seaside resort. The visit is brief, around 20 minutes in the listed schedule, so think of it as a moving overview rather than a proper city tour.

You also pass Reñaca, known as a popular summer beach, and see the large sand-dune building associated with the later sandboarding stop. These passing views give you useful orientation, but do not book this outing expecting long walking tours in Valparaiso or Viña del Mar.

The sea lion stop is short, around 10 minutes, near a local fishing area. It is a simple stop, but a memorable one. You may see the animals gathered near the water, along with the working coastal setting that makes this feel more genuine than a formal wildlife park.

Bring your camera, but do not assume every animal will sit in perfect view. The supplied binoculars help, especially when wildlife is farther away. Several sightings have also included pelicans, dolphins, and jellyfish, though those are possible bonuses rather than promised parts of the tour.

The boat from Zapallar to the penguins

Zapallar is one of Chile’s prestigious coastal communities, with second homes belonging to presidents and wealthy residents. The town provides a striking setting for the boat trip, with old volcanic rocks at Playa de Zapallar and a more polished feel than the fishing areas visited earlier.

The boat outing lasts about an hour. You head toward a protected area where penguins gather, viewing them from the water rather than walking among them. That distinction matters: the animals stay wild, and the boat allows you to get a good view while respecting the protected site.

Binoculars are included, though you will still want a camera with a decent zoom if you hope to capture clear photos. The boat can get close when sea conditions allow, but the open water may be rocky. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring your preferred medicine before setting out. One particularly useful detail from past outings is that the water can feel chilly even on a sunny day, so carry a light layer.

This is the emotional center of the day for many people. Penguins are small, quick, and easy to miss without help from the guide or binoculars, but seeing them in their natural coastal setting is far more rewarding than a quick stop at an aquarium.

A Chilean picnic above the Pacific

After the penguin trip, you stop near a paragliding school for a relaxed lunch of typical Chilean foods. The meal includes empanadas, pebre, fruit, nuts, wine, pisco sour, bottled water, and soft drinks. The guides aim to provide enough food that you will not leave hungry.

The empanada selection can include seafood choices such as crab, depending on what is arranged. Homemade salsa is another recurring highlight, and the guides may prepare or set out the food themselves. This is not a formal restaurant meal. It is a social picnic with a view, which suits the easygoing nature of the day.

You also get a close look at a working paragliding site. Professional instructors operate here, and you can arrange a tandem flight for an added fee. If you want to fly, ask about the extra cost and weather conditions before the day gets too far along.

Paragliding is not guaranteed. Wind and other conditions can stop flights, even when the rest of the tour continues. That happened on at least one outing, so do not book this experience solely for the flight. Treat it as an optional bonus attached to a strong coastal day.

Paragliding: a worthwhile extra for the right person

If you choose the paid flight, you go with an instructor rather than attempting to fly alone. The school has professional staff, and one available instructor has been associated with Chile’s Red Bull team. That detail may appeal to anyone looking for more than a gentle scenic ride.

A tandem flight changes the pace of the day. You have already spent time in the vehicle, on a boat, and at lunch, so the flight adds a sharp burst of excitement before the final activity. It is not included in the $300 price, and the tour information does not state the added fee, so confirm the cost when booking or before takeoff.

I would choose paragliding if you want a memorable adventure and are comfortable paying extra. I would skip it if the penguins and food are your main goals, since the tour remains worthwhile without it.

Concon Dunes and the sandboarding lesson

The final major activity takes place at the Concon Dunes. You climb to a high point for broad coastal views, then slide down on a supplied sandboard. You can go standing up or sitting down, which makes this much less intimidating than it first sounds.

The dunes can be very hot. Wear clothes that can handle sand, protect your eyes if needed, and remember that sunscreen is not provided. The tour supplies the board, and one of the guides, Jimmy, has experience teaching snowboarding and sandboarding. That can make a real difference when you are trying to control your speed or stand for the first time.

You do not need to treat this as a serious athletic challenge. Sit down for a slower first attempt, then decide if you want to try standing. Some people skip the activity, and that is fine. You can still enjoy the views while others take their turns.

The dunes are also one of the most photogenic parts of the outing. The pale sand, ocean views, and steep slopes create a memorable final scene. Just remember that sand gets into everything, and the walk back up each slope can be tiring.

What the long day feels like

The schedule is packed, but it is not simply a race from one photo stop to another. The day includes road time, wildlife viewing, lunch, and two active options. Since the pickup route can change, exact timing is not fixed.

The most comfortable approach is to think of this as a full-day coastal expedition rather than a tightly timed sightseeing tour. You will probably spend several hours in the vehicle, but the changing stops break it up. A sunset on the return drive is possible, depending on the season and timing.

The maximum group size is 12. That is large enough for a social outing but small enough that the guides can help with boards, food, binoculars, and route changes. The guide team is often identified by names such as Jimmy, Simona, Lily, and Jay. The tone appears friendly and hands-on, with guides helping serve lunch, teach sandboarding, and adjust plans when roads or weather interfere.

One useful example of that flexibility came when a road was closed for a religious pilgrimage. Instead of abandoning the day, the group visited alpacas and ate lunch near the paragliding site. That kind of improvisation is helpful, but it also shows why you should expect the route to adapt.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend this outing if you want several distinct experiences in one day and do not mind a long schedule. It suits couples, families with older children, solo visitors, and friends who want more than a standard city tour.

It is especially good for you if:

• You want to see penguins without arranging your own coastal transport.
• You enjoy trying local food in an informal setting.
• You like having both quiet wildlife time and active outdoor fun.
• You want the option of paragliding without making it the only purpose of the day.
• You are comfortable with a boat that may be rocky and a day that may run up to 13 hours.

I would think twice if you want a slow, detailed visit to Valparaiso or Viña del Mar. Those cities are mainly passed through here. I would also reconsider if you dislike long drives, hot sand, open-water boat trips, or plans that can shift with weather.

The activity is offered in English and Spanish. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation, though the tour itself includes vehicle pickup. A minimum of two people is required for the Santiago departure, and the maximum group size is 12.

Is $300 a fair price?

At first glance, $300 is a serious day-trip price. The value improves when you count what is included: an air-conditioned vehicle, guide service, boat trip, lunch, wine, pisco sour, soda, water, WiFi, sandboards, and binoculars.

You are also paying for coordination. The operator handles the coastal transfers, the boat arrangement, the picnic, and the equipment. Trying to build the same day yourself would mean arranging transport between several towns, finding the boat departure, carrying or renting sandboards, and locating a suitable lunch stop.

The price is less attractive if you plan to skip sandboarding, do not drink alcohol, and only want the penguin boat. In that case, a shorter penguin-focused outing might suit you better. If you take part in most of the activities, the cost is easier to defend.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded. If bad weather cancels the outing, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met.

Should you book Go Penguins?

Book it if you want a busy, social day that combines wildlife, food, scenery, and adventure without having to arrange the pieces yourself. The penguins are the main draw, but the sea lions, Chilean picnic, Concon Dunes, and optional paragliding give the day much more range.

Go with realistic expectations. You may spend much of the day on the road, the boat may be rough, paragliding may be canceled, and the dunes can be hot. Bring sunscreen, a light jacket, motion-sickness medicine if needed, and clothes that can handle sand.

For a first coastal outing from Santiago, I find the combination unusually generous. You get wild animals, local food, a small boat, two different beaches and resort areas, and a chance to try sandboarding at no extra charge. If that sounds better than a quiet, single-stop excursion, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

How long does the tour from Santiago last?

The experience lasts approximately 9 to 13 hours, depending on the route, pickups, traffic, and the day’s conditions.

Is lunch included?

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

Is paragliding included in the price?

No. Paragliding and the instructor cost extra. The flight is also subject to suitable weather conditions.

Is sandboarding included?

Yes. Sandboards are supplied, and sandboarding at the Concon Dunes is included in the tour price.

Are binoculars provided for the penguin trip?

Yes. Binoculars are included, and you will view the penguins from a boat.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.