Penguin Watching Cachagua Island from Santiago: Private Boat Tour

Watch Humboldt penguins on the water, then eat lunch on the coast

A private motorboat tour from Santiago to Cachagua Island, where you watch an endangered colony of Humboldt penguins in their natural habitat off the coast near Zapallar. The tour includes hotel pickup from Santiago, a 1.5-hour navigation by private boat, lunch on the beach, and visits to Valparaiso's UNESCO sites and Paseo 21 de Mayo viewpoint on the return. A guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese, and the whole day runs 7 to 9 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Plaza Sotomayor30m · entry included
2. Paseo 21 de Mayo30m · entry included

Penguin watching and coastal exploration

• Travel from Santiago to Zapallar
• Board private motorboat at Zapallar Dock
• Navigate to Cachagua Island for penguin watching
• Explore coasts and beaches near Cachagua
• Visit monument in Viña del Mar
• Visit Valparaiso Flat City
• Tour UNESCO patrimonial area with murals and palaces
• Enjoy view from Paseo 21 de Mayo balcony
• Return to Santiago via Casablanca Vineyards

The experience

You start from your Santiago hotel and drive to Zapallar, where you board a private motorboat for a 1.5-hour navigation along the coast to Cachagua Island. The penguins live about 80 meters offshore, so the boat stays close to the water and the shoreline as you watch for them. The experience depends on good weather and calm seas, which the guide monitors for your safety. A first aid kit is on board, and everyone wears a life jacket.

After the penguin watching, you return to shore for lunch (Chilean empanadas and a drink, or a vegetarian option), served on the beach at Zapallar or Concon. The route back to Santiago passes through Valparaiso, a UNESCO World Heritage city where the tour stops at Plaza Sotomayor and the painted neighborhoods, then climbs to Paseo 21 de Mayo, a balcony overlooking Valparaiso Bay and Viña del Mar. This is the best spot for photos before heading back through Casablanca Vineyards toward Santiago.

The boat and vehicle are both private, so you travel without other groups. Bottled water and fruit are provided throughout the day, and WiFi is available on board. Children under 5 travel free, and the tour suits all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for people with cardiovascular concerns.

What’s included

• Private hotel pickup from Santiago and return.
• private motorboat navigation for 1.5 hours.
• life jacket.
• Chilean empanadas and a drink or vegetarian lunch on the beach.
• bottled water and fresh fruit.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• WiFi on board.
• all fees and taxes.
• a live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (8 to 90 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Terraventura Outdoor

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Santiago without a rental car and want to see penguins without joining a group. The private boat and vehicle mean you set the pace, and pickup from your hotel removes the need to arrange your own transport to the coast.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are Humboldt penguins and why do they live near Cachagua Island?

Humboldt penguins are an endangered species found along the coasts of Peru and Chile. Cachagua Island, off the coast near Zapallar, is one of their natural colonies, and the motorboat navigation keeps you close enough to watch them without disturbing their habitat.

How far is Cachagua Island from Santiago, and how long does the drive take?

Zapallar, where you board the boat, is roughly 120 kilometers northwest of Santiago. The drive from your hotel to the dock takes about two hours, and the motorboat ride itself is 1.5 hours along the coast.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my tour?

The tour requires good weather and calm sea conditions for passenger safety. If conditions are unsafe, the operator will work with you to reschedule for another date.

Is lunch included, and what are the options?

Lunch is included and served on the beach after penguin watching. You can choose Chilean empanadas with a drink or a vegetarian lunch option.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation from Santiago?

No. Hotel pickup from Santiago is included in the tour price, and a private air-conditioned vehicle takes you to Zapallar and back.

Can young children go on this tour?

Yes. Children under 5 travel free, and the tour provides specialized infant seats. Infants must sit on an adult's lap, and strollers or prams are welcome.