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

This is a fun, packed day that mixes ocean wildlife with adrenaline on land, all wrapped around a proper Chilean picnic. You’ll get a boat outing for penguins, plus sealions, a shoreline lunch, and then sandboarding at the Concon dunes area. It also moves through coastal towns like Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, Reñaca, and Zapallar, so the day feels like more than one activity in one place.

Two things I really like here are the bilingual hosting (English and Spanish) and the way the included food and drinks lean local, with wine and pisco sour served during lunch. One thing to consider: this is long and weather dependent, and the penguin boat ride can feel choppy if you are sensitive to motion.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About

• Penguins from Zapallar by boat, with binoculars included for better viewing
• Sealions and coastal stops that break up the day so it does not feel like one long ride
• Cliffside picnic lunch at a paragliding school zone, with empanadas, pebre, fruit, and pisco sour
• Sandboarding at Concon dunes, standing or sitting, with sandboards supplied
• Small group size up to 12 people, which helps the day feel organized

Penguins, Sealions, Dunes, and Picnic Wine, in One Long Day

This tour works because it’s not just a wildlife stop and then back on the road. It’s built like a full coastal circuit with breaks that keep your energy up. You start with city contrast, shift to real animal watching, then end with sandboarding, one of those activities that looks simple until you try it and realize you are grinning the whole time.

You’ll be picked up and guided in an air-conditioned vehicle, and the pacing is tight but not frantic. Most of the fun is concentrated into three chunks: the boat to see penguins, the lunch at the paragliding area, and the sandboarding at the dunes.

And because the group is capped at 12 people, you usually get more attention than on big bus tours. The guide also has time to explain what you’re seeing, plus how the sandboarding and viewing parts work.

Getting There From Santiago, and How the Route Flows

Plan for about 9 to 13 hours total, depending on the day. The route is flexible based on where the group is starting. Sometimes you’ll be picked up in Valparaíso first, then the day runs through the coastal towns north of there. If no one needs pickup in Valparaíso, the tour can start from Santiago and run the loop without going through Valparaíso.

Either way, you’ll spend time seeing how Valparaíso and Viña del Mar feel different. Valparaíso has that tighter, older coastal city vibe, while Viña del Mar reads more polished and resort-like. You also pass along Reñaca beach and the dune area you’ll use later for sandboarding, so the day has a natural story arc: towns, coast, penguin boat, then dunes.

Practical note: bring layers. The ocean air can feel cooler even when it’s sunny, and you’ll be outside during the lunch and sandboarding parts.

Valparaíso to Sea Lions: Quick Stops That Set the Tone

The day often begins with a stop in Valparaíso, with time just to look around and get your bearings. There’s also a short chance to see sea lions up close. This is not a long wildlife expedition on land, but it matters. It warms you up for the main event, and it gives you a sense of the coastal ecosystem before you get on the boat.

What I like about this first phase is that you are not waiting around all morning. You are moving, seeing, and getting brief context from your guide.

A drawback to keep in mind: those early stops are short. If you love slow wandering, you may want to do a separate Valparaíso walking visit another day.

The Penguin Boat Ride From Zapallar: Binoculars, Rocks, and Rules

Zapallar is where the day gets real. You’ll board a boat from Zapallar to watch penguins, with binoculars included. Your time on the water is focused on observing from the correct viewpoint while respecting the protected area rules. That is important because penguins are not background scenery. They are the show.

Also, Zapallar is known for dramatic coastal scenery, and the day includes a chance to admire ancient volcanic rocks around the area. It’s a nice counterpoint to all the modern beach towns you pass earlier.

How to make this portion better for yourself:

• Bring a light layer for the boat ride. Even in warm months, wind off the water can get chilly.
• If you are prone to motion sickness, consider taking your usual sea-sickness medicine. Some people note the ride can feel rocky on the open ocean.

The good news is you are not stuck watching with your eyes alone. Binoculars are supplied, so you can actually track where the penguins are and get better photos without always zooming your phone camera.

Lunch at the Paragliding School Cliff: Empanadas, Wine, and Watching Flights

After the penguin segment, you head to a paragliding school zone where lunch is served. The lunch is included and eaten at a spot with a Pacific Ocean view, right near where people take off for paragliding.

Even if you do not paraglide, this is one of the best parts of the day because it adds variety. You’re eating local food while watching the action overhead.

Lunch includes typical Chilean items such as empanadas, pebre, fruit, nuts, and drinks like Chilean wine and pisco sour. There’s also bottled water. The goal is clear: you should leave the table feeling taken care of, not just fed.

Paragliding itself is not included. You can try it for an additional cost with professional instructors. If you want the photo-worthy memory, this is the moment to say yes. If you do not want to fly, you still get the viewing energy from the takeoffs.

A small practical note: sunscreen is not included, so bring it if you burn easily. You’ll be outside during both lunch and sandboarding.

In recent days, some guides have also made the day feel extra personal, including hosting and teaching touches. For example, guides like Jimmy, Simona, Lily, and Jay have been mentioned by name in past groups, and paragliding instructors such as Danny have led flight attempts.

Concon Dunes Sandboarding: The Fun Part, With Hot-Sun Reality

Then you get the sandboarding. At Concon dunes, you’ll go up and down the slopes on a sandboard, with the option to slide standing or sitting. Everything needed for sandboarding is supplied, so you are not hunting for rentals or guessing which board to pick.

The dunes are the payoff for this tour’s overall value. It’s not just looking at views. You are actively doing something on the coast that feels unique to this region.

Just plan around heat. Sandboarding can get sweaty fast, and some people call out that it is hot. Start hydrated, and treat the early part of the dunes run like a warmup. Once you find your balance, it gets easier and more playful.

Also, there’s a scenic sightseeing stop connected to the dunes area, including a look at an enormous building built in the sand dunes before sandboarding happens. It’s a quick visual break that makes the dunes feel like a destination, not just a launch point.

Price and Value: What $300 Really Buys You

At $300 per person, you’re paying for a full-day package, not one isolated activity. The value comes from the combination of:

• A guided route through multiple coastal towns
• A boat ride to see penguins, plus binoculars
• A big included lunch picnic with local Chilean food and drinks
• Sandboards for sandboarding
• Air-conditioned transport and WiFi on board

In other words, you’re not just paying for the penguins. You’re paying for logistics plus multiple paid-adjacent experiences bundled together. Even the optional paragliding is positioned as an add-on, so you control whether you want that extra cost.

Compared to doing everything separately, this is the kind of price that starts making sense because you avoid the time and friction of coordinating pickup timing, transport, and equipment.

Who Should Book This (and Who Might Skip Part of It)

This tour is a great fit if you want a single day that includes:

• Wildlife viewing without the stress of scheduling
• One active adrenaline moment (sandboarding)
• A genuinely local lunch with wine and pisco sour
• Coastal town contrast, not just one beach

I also think it works well for couples and solo travelers who like structure, because the day is planned and transitions are handled.

You might want to rethink it if you have low tolerance for long days. This is 9 to 13 hours, with long stretches on the road and time outdoors. If you also have strong motion sensitivity, consider that the boat ride can feel rocky on the open ocean. You can still go, but come prepared.

Kids can often participate since the tour says most people can join, and the group size stays small. But if your child cannot handle waiting outdoors during lunch and transitions, you should judge based on your own kid’s pace.

Should You Book Go Penguins?

If you want a day that’s actually worth the word adventure, this is a strong bet. The biggest reason is balance: wildlife plus food plus an activity, with real inclusions like sandboards, binoculars, and a lunch that feels like Chile rather than a generic picnic.

Book this if:

• Penguins and sea lions are on your must-see list
• You like doing one or two adrenaline activities without having to plan them
• You enjoy local food like empanadas and pebre, paired with wine and pisco sour

Consider skipping or tailoring your expectations if:

• You hate long, full-day schedules
• You get motion sick easily and do not want to manage that risk
• You prefer one slow city or one long beach day instead of multiple stops

If you’re the type of person who likes to fill a day with meaningful stops and you do not mind being outside most of the time, you’ll probably have a great time here.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It runs about 9 to 13 hours, depending on conditions and timing for pickups and stops.

Is paragliding included?

No. Paragliding and the instructor are not included. You can try it for an additional cost. Watching people paraglide is part of the day at the lunch spot.

What equipment is included?

Sandboards and binoculars are included. Bottled water is included, along with WiFi on board. Sunscreen is not included.

Do we go by boat to see the penguins?

Yes. You’ll get on a boat to go see the penguins, departing from the Zapallar area. It’s worth being ready for a possibly choppy ride if you are sensitive to motion.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is the tour offered in English and Spanish, and can I bring a service animal?

Yes, the experience is offered in English and Spanish. Service animals are allowed, and the tour is near public transportation. The tour also has most travelers able to participate.