5.0 Amazing day your!

Gregory_J, May 2026

This was a great day tour exploring Valparaiso and Viña del Mar! Terry was an amazing guide, and was able to get us up close to view the Humble 🐧 penguins!

5.0 Great visit!

Road799062, March 2026

Had a great day adventure with our guide Terry! He shared his knowledge of the area and gave us a feel for the coastal town near Penguin Island with a relaxing mid-day lunch and beautiful views along the water!

5.0 Penguins Galore!

Stephengram51, March 2026

We were very excited for the opportunity to see Humboldt penguins in the wild, but were a bit apprehensive since we weren’t sure that we would actually see them. After the drive from Santiago to Zapaller, we set off for a very exciting ride in a small boat to Penquin Island. We were dazzled to see penguins in the water before reaching the island and then an abundance of penguins on the island. It was a stellar day in the company of our guide Terry. An experience not to be missed by penguin lovers!

1.0 Cancelled with no communication

ANNE_B, December 2025

Tour was cancelled due to an occurrence beyond the control of the operator but we were not informed.

5.0 Penguins - not at Antarctica

Lucy_H, December 2025

Great experience seeing the Humboldt penguins and tour of Viña Del Mar and Concon! Lautaro was our guide and he did a great job explaining and planning the day. We had great views of the penguins on the boat tour.

5.0 Amazing trip. We were...

Kandee_W, December 2025

Amazing trip. We were able to get right up the approach limits on the island. Lots of Penguins and other birds. Additional tours of the beach towns was also enjoyable. Beautiful country.

5.0 We had a wonderful Viator...

Jeffrey_K, December 2025

We had a wonderful Viator excursion in Santiago that took us to see the penguins on Cachagua Island, sea lions in a coastal city to the south, and the incredible murals of Valparaíso. The itinerary itself was fantastic and offered a great mix of wildlife, scenery, and culture. The tour was advertised as a private experience, but it ended up being semi-private as we picked up another couple along the way. That said, it worked out just fine—the other couple was very pleasant, and it did not take away from our enjoyment. Our tour guides were friendly, knowledgeable, and very accommodating throughout the day, making sure everyone felt comfortable and well taken care of. The tour started with hotel pickup and lasted a little over 12 hours from start to finish, which was longer than the 9 hours originally expected. While it was a long day, it was also very full and rewarding. One of the highlights was a delightful Chilean lunch, followed by a stop for Brazilian ice cream—both were excellent and a perfect way to break up such a full itinerary. Overall, it was a memorable experience with great guides and unforgettable sights. We truly enjoyed the day and would recommend this excursion to anyone looking to experience the natural beauty and vibrant culture of Chile in a single, well-planned outing.

4.0 Excellent Guide. Unfortunately Weather Turned.

ScottTelecky, March 2025

Our guide Lautaro was excellent and knowledgeable about the area and it's history. He was on time picking us up, very personable and fun to chat with on lots of topics. Unfortunately the weather turned rough and the boats couldn't make the trip to Cachagua Island. However, there was a beach across the way where we could still observe and take pictures of the Humboldt penguins (our main goal). Very good Empanadas for lunch at a place on the beach. All in all a good tour company. Unfortunately we can't control the weather.

5.0 Penguins and more!

Andrew_A, March 2025

Lautaro was a great guide and provided interesting history. The tour was a great way to get outside of Santiago and see the Penguins, sea lions, and a huge pod of bottlenose dolphins as a bonus! Lautaro's knowledge of food and culture was also great and we loved the empanadas he shared with us. We feel like we now have a friend in Santiago!

5.0 An excellent Penguin tour with Terry!

893AmyE, March 2025

Terry is an excellent guide. He gave us a great tour on our drive to Penguin island, sharing a lot of information about the region and sights. The highlight, of course, was seeing the Penguins along with the Pelicans and Cormorants on this unique island (you’ll have to go to see what I mean). It’s nice that this a permanent colony of Humboldt penguins, which are visible year round. The boat ride in the open skif was exciting and the scenery was beautiful. We loved Zapallar beach and the town of Zapallar when we had lunch at a lovely cocina. Best empanadas ever! We’re planning to recommend Terry to our adventure-loving friends back in the US.

5.0 Even with headwinds, a great experience

skylerbradleyh, December 2024

Our guide, Lautaro, met us at our hotel in Santiago for this day trip. Fair warning - there is a bit of driving involved with this trip, but it is worth it. We first went to see Humboldt Penguins, Cormorants, Gulls, and other sea birds at the coast near Cachagua. Unbeknownst to our guide, on this day, the dock was closed due to recent damage. So, we were not able to access the boats. However, we were still able to get relatively close to all of the birds, including penguins, by walking along the beach and using binoculars with the help of our guide. This may have been a blessing in disguise, because we stayed dry. The real highlight of the trip, in our opinion, was visiting Valparaiso. This city is truly a cultural gem with amazing views and an artistic history that is truly unique. Spend as much time as you can here with the street art. This trip takes all day (in a good way).

5.0 We really enjoyed this...

Jessica_M, November 2024

We really enjoyed this trip! Our guide Lautaro was friendly, knowledgeable, and checked in with us/offered options to make sure the trip was what we wanted it to be. He also provided a great list of recommendations for when we got back to the city. The penguins, sea lions, and otter were all worth seeing!

5.0 Great experience a

Brandy_W, September 2024

We had an excellent experience. Our guide made us feel comfortable and is knowledgeable. Boat ride was an adventure. We saw many penguins and took great pictures. Great way to see the coast of Chile!

5.0 Day trip to Valparaiso and the penguins

player676, September 2024

Spent the day with our guide Lautaro, who did a great job with a family that included two teenagers, two seniors, and two 40 something adults. The entire day was awesome, especially the boat ride to the penguins, the history lesson in Valparaiso, and the surprisingly excellent empanada place.

5.0 Best experience I had in Chile

Katherine_M, September 2024

Everything about this tour was a 10/10. Our guide, Lautaro, made the entire experience. He was friendly, funny, informative, and so generous with his knowledge. This experience is unlike anything else you will have in Chile. I cannot recommend this tour enough. From the experience of being on the water seeing the Humboldt Penguins, to the delicious lunch (I can’t state enough how good the empanadas were. Best I had in Chile.), to the absolutely beautiful tour through Valparaiso. Do yourself a favor, if you’re on the fence about booking, JUST DO IT! You WONT be disappointed!

5.0 Penguins

Paul_G, April 2024

Really nice day out from Santiago to see the penguins, pacific coastline and Valparaiso. Terry was an excellent guide.

4.0 Penguins, Empanadas and Driving

Sarah_K, March 2024

Terry was a very knowledgeable guide. He was able to tell us a lot about Santiago and Valparaiso. The empanadas were delicious and a highlight of lunches we had during our trip. We enjoyed seeing the penguins. However, we only saw a few and due to waves and rocks, you cannot get very close and they can be hard to see. In addition, the waves tend to be 2 meters high so the boat ride out was very very rough. We also spent more time in car driving to and from Santiago (about 2.5 hours) and we didn't really get to walk around Vin de Mar or Valparaiso. A recommendation would be to bring a telephoto lens for your camera to get the best pics of the penguins.

5.0 Book it now!

Mike_I, February 2024

Book it now! What an amazing experience. Our tour guide was amazing and informative! Great way to see the coast and great cities and towns outside sandiago. Book it, you won’t regret it!

5.0 Humboldt penguins!

James_N, January 2024

In spite of the choppy boat ride, during which Terry was very reassuring, we were thrilled to see many Humboldt penguins. The delicious lunch of empanadas and the highlights of Valparaiso were the icing on the cake. Terry is a friendly, terrific guide who was timely and took care of every detail.

5.0 Terry is a fabulous...

Judy_H, January 2024

Terry is a fabulous guide. A true professional, experienced, knowledgeable and lots of fun. And he was kindly gentle with my nervousness about the boat and windy conditions but all was great. This was a great day.

5.0 Humboldt penguins!

David_Y, January 2024

It's a long drive to catch the boat to the island, but it gave us a chance to see the surrounding areas, and the drive back was great through Valparaiso. But the boat ride to and from the island, plus sighting the penguins, pelicans, and other "residents" was fantastic. The stop for empenadas was also welcome and great. Our guide offerd rest stops and timely narration as well as some local tips - he and our driver were great.

5.0 Fantastic Penguins Tour

Ryan_B, December 2023

Fantastic! Our guide Terry went above and beyond! The penguins were adorable! We also saw Valparaiso, Vina abs stopped at the lookout over the vineyards! Beautiful country! Thank you!

5.0 Great trip for penguin watching

Priyanka_D, December 2023

Great trip. Everything we hoped for and more!! Thank to our guid Laturo for making the day memorable.

5.0 GREAT TOUR

1lornie, December 2023

Our guide, Lautaro, was excellent as was the driver. We talked for 10 hours about everything. He is knowledgeable and interesting. There weren't many penguins, but it was worth the trip to see them. I didn't realize it was a sanctuary and had hoped we could be among them. We did get fairly close for photos. Thankfully, it was a very nice day.

5.0 Wonderful Day!

Linda_S, December 2023

The penguins and the area where they live are extraordinary beautiful. Valparaiso is fascinating with its murals and rich history. Lautauro worked very hard to make this the best experience we had while in Chile and he exceeded his goal! Thank you, Lautauro, for making our last day in Chile our best day in Chile!

5.0 It was a great tour,...

David_C, November 2023

It was a great tour, exceptional tour guide and all around wonderful experience! A bit of adventure, lots of culture and some great historical commentary.

5.0 Zapallar Rocks

Ken_B, November 2023

A fantastic day of visiting coastal cities, a wild small boatride to Penguin Island among frolicking dolphins and sea lions, and ending in Valparaiso being befriended by a beautiful large local dog!!

4.0 Nice time seeing the penguins!

Molly_B, November 2023

The boat ride out to see the penguins was fantastic, as was the time around the island. So cool to see the penguins in their natural protected environment. The time in Valparaiso was okay, not because of the tour or guide, just seems like the city is over-hyped. But we had a great day, beautiful countryside in Chile's wine region.

5.0 Wonderful tour guide for not just the mountains

Debeliub1, October 2023

I found Terry on Tripadvisor. I saw several options for trips but I wanted something special. So I contacted him and he coordinated a personalized trip of a number of cities, museums and adventure sites. So I just thought I would let everybody know that just because you see all these wonderful pictures of people, climbing mountains in the snow, that’s not all Terry has to offer. He organized a trip of the city of Valparaíso, the city of Viña del Mar, as well as many other small towns and beautiful beaches throughout the area. He took care of all the arrangements, including restaurants, and picked us up from the airport and made sure that we got everywhere we needed to go. I highly recommend him.

5.0 Penguins galore

Michael_B, October 2023

Our guide was terrific. Very knowledgeable and accommodating. Seeing the penguins was amazing but the long drive to see them was a splendid ride and opportunity to see the Andes. Our lunch was good and the captain of the little boat strive to get us a smooth ride and good views. We also really enjoyed our hike along the ocean. Our guide Terry endeavored to please us an$ he succeeded beyond all expectations.

5.0 Amazing day out worth every second.

mala112, October 2023

We had an absolutely fantastic time on this private tour. Terry (our guide) was prompt, knowledgeable, and did everything he could to make sure the day was perfect! Thank you so much. The boat trip and the penguins were a highlight, but we did some walking and scenic touring that was stunning as well.

5.0 Pengiun watching!

Z695QLnicoleh, October 2023

Today Terry took us on an adventure to the coast to look at penguins! It was such an amazing day!!! At the start of the day, Terry had messaged us to make sure we brought warm clothes. The weather was not great in Santiago so we were unsure what to expect, but Terry was very safety conscious and said the waves on the ocean were a perfect size to be out looking at the pengiuns. Throughout the drive, Terry told us all kinds of facts about Chile and the areas we were driving through. The actual pengiun watching was amazing and we loved it!! We got to see some other wildlife too like pelicans, sea lions, various ocean birds and an otter. We stopped for lunch to try some locally made empanadas which were delicious! Afterwards Terry stopped at a couple areas where we were able to walk along the coast and take in the beautiful sights. Terry only takes up to 4 people out a day, so this ended up being a private tour for my friend and I, and after Terry got to know us, he tailored the tour to what we like, which was hiking and exploring. All around a great day!

5.0 Private Tours are the Best Tours

Suzanne_D, September 2023

Terry was an amazing guide. The weather cooperated and we were able to go around the entire penguin island by boat. We saw penguins, pelicans and vultures on the island. Unfortunately, no seals. We saw sea lions in Valparaiso. We stopped for the best empanadas we’ve ever had. Terry explained the geology of the region as well culture and economics. It was a day well spent with an excellent and engaging guide.

5.0 What a wonderful day

Lindsay_H, September 2023

We were very lucky, not only was it beautiful weather on the day, but we also saw a school of Dolphins from the boat on the way over to the Penguin Island. As we got closer to the Island I noticed people back on the shore of Cachagua with binoculars and telephoto lenses which made our trip feel a special experience. Terry was a great guide, very helpful and knowledgeable and because Terraventura Outdoor specialises in small groups it allows some flexibility to tailor to your needs, for example Terry accompanied us on a nice walk along the pacific coastal path from Zapallar rather than a planned stop at Concón ... at our request. We were so impressed by the day we booked another Terraventura Outdoor trip to Cajón del Maipo during our holiday in Chile August 2023. I highly recommend this excursion, a real day to remember ! In hindsight I wish we'd booked the version of the trip with the PM horse riding (rather than Valparaiso and Viña del Mar) that looks even better.

5.0 Terry saved the way, and we saw penguins!

X4886USmikeb, September 2023

Our private tour fell during the "storm of the century", making the boating portion impossible. However, Terry more than made up for the conditions by taking us to some other nearby sites and giving us an incredible day of sights and stories. We appreciated his patience, friendliness and enthusiasm. We were able to walk out close enough to Cachugua Island to see penguins. He also treated us to a wonderful empanada lunch. The whole day was a joy.

5.0 What a wonderful...

Katie_F, June 2023

What a wonderful experience! Terry was an amazing guide. He truly loves adventure and Chile and was able to answer all of our questions. The trip to see the penguins was amazing. We also saw baby sea lions and baby pelicans. When Terry saw how excited I was to see the sea lions he went out of his way to provide an extra stop where I could see more. I was worried about the price but it was really worth every penny.

5.0 Great experience

H3463MVmikew, June 2023

This tour to see the penguins was amazing! Terry is an excellent guide and his local knowledge was really valuable. The whole experience was unforgettable. I highly recommend it!

5.0 Great Day on the Pacific Coast!

Christopher_G, June 2023

Terry did a fantastic job of showing us the best of the Pacific coast of Chile, with great views of the penguins and the best empanadas in Concon. Highly recommend.

5.0 Love those penguins!

MGLatorre, May 2023

We had a great trip. Our guide, Terry, was knowledgeable and he pointed out various sights along the way. Seeing the penguins was an amazing experience for both adults and the teen.

5.0 Penguins & Much More on the Pacific Coast

doronfl, March 2023

This turned out to be a fascinating excursion. Our guide, Hernan, is a learned historian and had a tremendous amount of knowledge to share during each of our stops and everywhere in between. The marine trip out to Monumento Natural Isla Cachagua was on a ~20 foot open boat, so you are right on the waters of the Pacific Ocean. We saw seals, a jellyfish, a dolphin and the penguins for which this island is known. The hillside landscape is dramatic (reminiscent of southern California) and the sea air was great. We stopped at the resort town of Concon for an empanada by the shore. Such a relaxing atmosphere! The drives through Vina del Mar and Valparaiso were especially interesting. We learned a lot about the history of these areas (such as the English, French and Brazilian influences in Valparaiso) and got to see a lot of highlights (such as a genuine Moai statue in front of a building in Vina del Mar, as well as a giant hillside clock that was given by the Swiss World Cup team in 1962, when Chile hosted the tournament). This tour was a wonderful way to see some of the Chilean Pacific coast, and I would definitely recommend it.

5.0 Penguins and Much More on the Pacific Coast

Doron_W, March 2023

This turned out to be a fascinating excursion. Our guide, Hernan, is a learned historian and had a tremendous amount of knowledge to share during each of our stops and everywhere in between. The marine trip out to Monumento Natural Isla Cachagua was on a ~20 foot open boat, so you are right on the waters of the Pacific Ocean. We saw seals, a jellyfish, a dolphin and the penguins for which this island is known. The hillside landscape is dramatic (reminiscent of southern California) and the sea air was great. We stopped at the resort town of Concon for an empanada by the shore. Such a relaxing atmosphere! The drives through Vina del Mar and Valparaiso were especially interesting. We learned a lot about the history of these areas (such as the English, French and Brazilian influences in Valparaiso) and got to see a lot of highlights (such as a genuine Moai statue in front of a building in Vina del Mar, as well as a giant hillside clock that was given by the Swiss World Cup team in 1962, when Chile hosted the tournament). This tour was a wonderful way to see some of the Chilean Pacific coast, and I would definitely recommend it.

5.0 Best day trip from Santiago

Bernadette_A, March 2023

Best day trip from Santiago. Terry went above and beyond to make our day amazing! The penguins were adorable, had safe and fun boat ride to Cachagua (Penguin island), had the best empanadas in Concón and hobnobbed with surfers, got a feel beautiful Valparaiso and drinks on balcony. Terry also humored us with being our photographer and showed us best locations.

5.0 We enjoyed seeing the...

John_H, March 2023

We enjoyed seeing the penguins. lunch was great. Valparaiso was very different but interesting. Terry was very informative about the areas we explored.

5.0 Great trip

Kenneth W, March 2023

Me and my wife had a great time. Terry was a good tour guide and accommodated our requests. We loved the beaches and walking around Valparaiso.

5.0 Penguins AND dolphins!!!!

P1185JPashleyc, March 2023

We did the penguin tour starting from Valparaiso and we cannot recommend it enough! What’s better than spending a day with a professional and knowledgeable guide (Terry), seeing PENGUINS, and eating empanadas!? Everything was very well organized including communication about how to prepare, details and meeting times. We enjoyed pleasant conversation with our guide throughout the day. The boat ride was all together about 1 hour. Waters are generally rough to reach penguin island, but the captain handles the boat very professionally and safely. You don’t get to disembark from the boat as the island and penguins are protected. Read a bit about Humboldt penguins before you go because these guys are not the typical penguins you see in the movies and media. Nonetheless, they are pretty cool waddling characters. You’ll also see many other sea birds, so enjoy. Our BONUS on this trip was a family of playful dolphins! After the boat ride, we enjoyed some great empanadas at Mono Empanadas and then a pleasant drive back to our hotel. Whole trip was about 7 hours.

5.0 Extremely special and unique tour

Andrea_H, March 2023

This tour experience was extremely special. Our guide went above and beyond to ensure that we received information throughout the day that enhanced our understanding of the region, landscape, and magical penguins. The drive through beach towns and stops at various vistas throughout Valparaiso were a nice added bonus. Chilean empanada lunch was delicious and the beach views were appreciated. Make sure to dress appropriately in layers for the boat ride and cooler temperatures on the water. Also, you will be outdoors a bit, so wear clothing that you are ok with possibly getting dirty.

5.0 Take the private tour if you can.

Brandy_H, January 2023

The whole tour was amazing. Terry was very accommodating, friendly and knowledgeable. We had an amazing day and was thrilled to see another side of Chile. The coast is beautiful. The penguins adorable. Definitely recommend!

5.0 Excellent Penguin excursion

Lorelei_C, January 2023

Our tourist guide Terry arrived to our hotel on time for the schedule. Our tour lasted 11 hours from hotel pick up to drop off. The boat captain made our ocean trip so safe. My whole family were so happy to see the penguins, other birds, sea lion and jellyfishes at a very close distance to the Penguin Island. We then headed to Concon beach where we had a taste of best freshly made Chilean empanadas. Tour continued to Viña Del Mar and Valparaiso where we had so many beautiful photos taken. Terry gave us a very good historical and cultural background of each city. Despite of this long trip and heavy traffic in Santiago, he managed to drop us off to the restaurant where we pre-booked for dinner. This excursion is a must do when visiting Chile.

4.0 Terry is really good tour...

KUEISHIANG_F, December 2022

Terry is really good tour guide, driving safely and comfortably. Penguin Island is the first excursion for our 27 days trip. Penguins are cute and lovely. Terry helped us taking photos with penguins on the boat. The tour is valuable, not only for the spots, but also for the tour guide.

5.0 Gets tour to see the penguins and Chilean coastal areas.

Kyle_C, November 2022

Terry was our guide and we enjoyed every part of the tour that we booked. The penguin tour was a private tour and we really liked that part of it. Terry is knowledgeable about all aspects of Chile and was flexible to do what we wanted. The main part of course was the penguins. Terry had us at the dock and we were out early enough to have a smooth ride to the island. We spent at least 45 minutes slowly moving around the island and saw more penguins than I expected. It was fantastic. I highly recommend booking this tour.