Surfing, Sandboarding & wild Sea lions + Chilean drinks & food

Three Chilean adventures fit into one day. Go Penguins combines a wild sea lion stop, beginner-friendly surfing at Concón, sandboarding in coastal dunes, and a Chilean picnic with empanadas, pisco sours, and wine. I like the mix because you are not spending six hours on a bus or doing one activity over and over. You get ocean wildlife, beach time, local food, and a little sightseeing between Valparaíso and Viña del Mar.

I also like the small group size, capped at 12 people, and the hands-on help from guides and instructors. Jimmy, Simona, Larisa, Rosie, Josephina, and the surf instructor Jaime are praised for clear communication, warm hospitality, and practical instruction. The main consideration is physical effort: you will surf, paddle, stand up, fall down, climb dunes, and repeat the process. At $170 per person, it is good value if you want active experiences and transport bundled together, but less appealing if you prefer a slow sightseeing day.

Key points to know before booking

• Wild sea lions come first: You visit a colony near the coast and may get strikingly close to the animals.
• Concón suits beginners: The beach has shallow water and waves that are manageable for new surfers and intermediates.
• Two hours in the water: One hour is guided instruction, followed by another hour to practise independently.
• The picnic is part of the appeal: Expect Chilean empanadas, snacks, water, homemade pisco sours, and Chilean wine.
• Sandboarding finishes the active day: The dunes sit close to the Pacific coast and offer a second board sport without needing prior experience.
• Plan for sun and exertion: Sunscreen and flip-flops are not included, and a moderate level of fitness is recommended.

Why this six-hour outing works

The clever part of this experience is the variety. You begin with wildlife, move into a proper water activity, stop for food and drinks, then finish with sandboarding. Each part has a different rhythm, so the day does not feel like a single lesson stretched too far.

The route also gives you a quick look at the coastal connection between Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, and Concón. You begin at Plazuela Aníbal Pinto in Valparaíso and return there at the end. Hotel pickup is listed as a convenience, so confirm the exact pickup arrangement when booking if you are not starting at the meeting point.

This is not a formal city tour. You will not stop for a detailed walk through Valparaíso or Viña del Mar. Instead, you see both cities while riding to the coast, then spend most of your time outdoors. That is a good trade if surfing and sandboarding matter more to you than museums, churches, or street art.

Sea lions before the surf

The first stop is a colony of wild sea lions. The animals can be seen close to shore, and the setting provides one of the day’s most memorable moments. The word wild matters here. This is an encounter with animals in their own coastal environment, not a scheduled show or a zoo visit.

You should keep your expectations sensible. The experience information does not promise a fixed viewing distance, a particular number of sea lions, or guaranteed animal behavior. Conditions can affect what you see. Still, the stop adds a strong sense of place before the sports begin.

Bring your camera, but keep your hands and belongings secure. The close views described by the guides make this more than a quick glance from a distant lookout. At the same time, you should treat the sea lions as wild animals and follow the guide’s instructions.

The sea lion stop is also a useful early pause. You have not yet used up your energy, and you get time to take in the Pacific coast before changing into surf gear.

Riding through Valparaíso and Viña del Mar

The drive toward Concón passes through Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. These cities offer a clear contrast, and even a drive-through view gives you a sense that they serve different purposes along the same coast.

Valparaíso is known for its hills, port setting, colorful streets, and older urban character. Viña del Mar has a more resort-like feel, with broad coastal areas and a more polished city image. The tour does not turn this drive into a full guided city visit, but the route gives you a useful introduction.

I like this part because it keeps the day connected to the region instead of dropping you straight at a beach with no context. You can ask the guides about Chilean culture, local history, and current events during the drive. Jimmy and Josephina are specifically praised for answering questions and explaining the area.

The limitation is time. If you want to explore Valparaíso’s hills, murals, elevators, or markets, plan a separate visit. This tour gives you a moving glimpse, not enough time for serious sightseeing.

Surfing at Playa La Boca in Concón

Concón is the main activity stop. You meet a professional surf instructor, receive your equipment, and begin with about one hour of instruction. The beach is described as suitable for beginners and intermediate surfers, with shallow water and waves that are large enough to keep things interesting without feeling too intimidating.

That setup makes a real difference. New surfers need a beach where they can focus on standing, balance, and timing instead of fighting powerful waves. The lesson is designed to help you reach the practical goal: getting on the board and catching waves.

The instruction sounds direct and hands-on. Jaime, the surf instructor mentioned by name, is praised for clear guidance and for helping people get onto plenty of waves. You should still expect a learning curve. Surfing is not a guaranteed stand-up success on the first try, and falling is part of the deal.

After the lesson, you get another hour to put the new skills into practice. This second hour is important. A short demonstration followed by a quick exit from the water would feel thin, but two hours in total gives you time to repeat the movements and improve.

The group lesson means the instructor cannot focus on everyone at once. One person may receive direct help while others wait for the next wave. That is normal for a small group lesson, but private instruction would likely suit someone seeking constant individual coaching. The maximum group size of 12 keeps the outing from becoming huge, though the actual group may be smaller.

You should expect to work hard. Paddling, getting up from the board, and walking back through the water can tire you quickly. The tour provides surf equipment and towels, but not sunscreen or flip-flops. Pack sunscreen, and remember that a towel is useful after the water even though one is supplied.

Chilean food, pisco sours and a proper rest

After surfing, the picnic arrives at exactly the right time. You will probably be ready for food, water, and a chance to sit down before the dunes. The spread includes snacks, drinks, empanadas, pisco sours, and Chilean wine.

The empanadas receive special praise for being fresh and served warm. Josephina is noted for preparing homemade food, and the meal seems to be treated as part of the welcome rather than as an afterthought. That personal touch gives the day a stronger Chilean flavor than a standard packaged lunch.

The pisco sour is another highlight, especially for anyone who wants to try a famous Chilean drink. Chilean wine is included as well. Bottled water is available, which matters after a morning of sport and sun.

Alcohol brings one practical point: pace yourself. The tour continues with sandboarding, so you should not treat the picnic as a long drinking session. Enjoy the tasting, eat properly, drink water, and save enough energy for the final activity.

The food also makes the $170 price easier to assess. You are paying for transport, equipment, two guided activities, a wildlife stop, snacks, a substantial picnic, and drinks. If you would otherwise pay separately for surf rental, instruction, sandboard rental, transport, and lunch, the package has solid value. If you already have equipment and only want a surf lesson, it may feel expensive.

One thoughtful extra mentioned by the guides is the occasional personal surprise, such as a birthday churro. Do not book expecting a celebration add-on, but the detail suggests that the hosts pay attention to special occasions when they know about them.

Sandboarding on the Concón dunes

The final activity takes you to the Concón dunes, close to the Pacific coast. Here, you use a sandboard and receive a lesson before trying the slopes yourself.

Surfing helps because both sports rely on balance, body position, and a willingness to fall without taking yourself too seriously. The technique is different, of course, but the board skills transfer well. The guides demonstrate the basics, then help you adjust after your first attempt.

Sandboarding is often less intimidating than it looks. You do not need to master a complicated trick. The first goal is simply to control the board and get down the dune safely. You may find the hardest part is climbing back up for another run.

This stop is active and exposed. Sand, sun, and wind can make the dunes tiring, especially after two hours in the water. Wear clothing that can handle sand, secure anything you do not want blown away, and use sunscreen before the day gets underway.

The dunes provide a strong finish because they feel different from the beach even though they are right beside the coast. You are still near the Pacific, but now the challenge is balance on loose sand rather than timing a wave.

Guides, group size and the feel of the day

The strongest feature here is the human side. Jimmy is described as punctual and relaxed, while Jimmy and Simona are praised for creating a friendly atmosphere and preparing the details with care. Larisa, Rosie, Josephina, and Jaime are also singled out for helpful service, instruction, or food.

That matters on an activity day. A good guide keeps the transport moving, explains what happens next, watches the clock, and helps you feel comfortable when you are struggling with a board. Clear communication before the outing is also useful, especially when you need to know where to meet and what to bring.

The maximum of 12 people is a sensible limit for a day with equipment and water activities. You still have a group experience, but it should feel more manageable than a large coach tour. The minimum booking requirement is two people, so solo visitors cannot book this experience alone unless they join an existing arrangement.

The activity requires moderate physical fitness. Service animals are allowed, and the tour is near public transportation, but the combination of surfing, sandboarding, walking, and climbing dunes may not suit anyone with significant mobility or stamina concerns.

Timing, price and practical planning

The advertised duration is about six hours, with operating hours from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The schedule gives you a full half-day and early evening, but the exact amount of time at each stop can vary with traffic, surf conditions, group pace, and weather.

At $170 per person, this is best judged as an all-in active day rather than a cheap beach transfer. You receive an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, towels, surf equipment, a group lesson, a sandboard and lesson, snacks, a picnic, wine, and pisco sours.

You still need to bring sunscreen and flip-flops. Those omissions are minor, but they are easy to forget. Wear clothes that can get wet and sandy, and do not pack anything delicate for the beach.

Confirmation is provided at booking. The start and end point is Pl. Aníbal Pinto 1191, Plazuela Aníbal Pinto, in Valparaíso, and the experience ends back at the meeting point. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Bad weather can lead to a new date or a full refund, and the same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

The experience operates daily during the listed seasons, from October 21 through March 20 in the 2025 to 2026 and 2026 to 2027 periods, plus December 20, 2026 through January 10, 2027. Check your exact date carefully because the experience depends on good weather.

Who should book it?

I would choose this for an active couple, a family with older children who can manage the physical work, or friends who want a full day outside Valparaíso. It also suits first-time surfers because the beach and lesson are aimed at beginners and intermediates.

The tour is especially appealing if you want local food and drinks included rather than stopping at a generic restaurant. The sea lions add a wildlife element, while the drive through Valparaíso and Viña del Mar gives you some regional context.

I would think twice if your main goal is a detailed city tour, a quiet beach day, or private surf coaching. The day has several moving parts, and you need enough energy to enjoy the final dune activity after surfing.

Should you book this Go Penguins experience?

Book it if you want a lively, well-filled day with three very different highlights: wild sea lions, beginner-friendly surf, and Concón sandboarding. The included equipment, transport, food, drinks, and small group size make the $170 price reasonable for someone who would otherwise arrange these pieces separately.

Skip it if you dislike getting wet, sandy, or tired. For everyone else, this is a strong way to turn a Valparaíso stay into an active coastal adventure, especially when warm empanadas and a pisco sour are waiting between the boards.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours, operating from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Pl. Aníbal Pinto 1191, Plazuela Aníbal Pinto, 2340000 Valparaíso, Chile.

Where does the tour end?

The experience ends back at the meeting point in Valparaíso.

Is hotel pickup available?

Hotel pickup is listed as a convenience. Confirm the exact pickup details when booking.

What activities are included?

You visit a wild sea lion colony, surf at Playa La Boca in Concón, and sandboard in the Concón dunes.

Is surfing suitable for beginners?

Yes. The beach is described as suitable for beginners and intermediates, with shallow water and moderate waves.

How much surf instruction do I receive?

You receive about one hour of instruction with a professional instructor, followed by another hour to practise your surfing.

What food and drinks are included?

The picnic includes snacks, empanadas, bottled water, pisco sours, and Chilean wine.

Is equipment provided?

Yes. Surf equipment, towels, a sandboard, and a sandboarding lesson are included.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen and flip-flops, since they are not included. You should also be prepared for a moderate level of physical activity.