Outings and excursions · Papudo / Zapallar
Zapallar and Cachagua: the seaside promenade and penguin island
Photos: Rolando Vejar / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
A coastal walk among rocks and houses facing the Pacific, and an island where Humboldt penguins nest.
Zapallar, in the Valparaíso Region, is one of the most traditional seaside resorts in central Chile. Its rocky coast and sheltered bay are made for walking, and a few minutes away, off Cachagua beach, lies a small natural treasure.
The Zapallar promenade
A coastal path runs along the beach among rocks, sea and summer houses with gardens. It is a quiet walk, best early in the morning or at sunset.
Isla Cachagua Natural Monument
Opposite Cachagua, separated from the shore by a channel about 100 metres wide, is this 4.5-hectare islet, protected since 1989. It is one of the most important nesting sites for the Humboldt penguin in Chile: its colony ranges from 800 to 1,500 birds.
The island is not open to the public (entry is only allowed for research, with CONAF authorisation), but from the shore, with binoculars, you can watch life on the islet.
Tips
- Bring binoculars to watch the island from land.
- Do not fly drones over the natural monument, and respect the wildlife.
- The area gets crowded in summer: arrive early.
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