Beach finder · Summer
21 beaches in Maitencillo, Cachagua, Zapallar and Papudo, with their official swimming classification, lifeguards, waves and whether you can bring your dog.
Maitencillo
The beach at the southern end of Maitencillo, long and wilder. Paragliders take off from the heights above it. Better for walking and relaxing than for swimming.
Ideal for: walking, scenery, paragliding
Access: Southern Maitencillo, from the waterfront (Av. del Mar).
⚠ Waves can be strong for swimming; classified as not approved for swimming.
Maitencillo
Maitencillo's surf beach, with schools and gear rental nearby. It has a left point break at its southern end and several beach-break peaks over sand, with waves usually from waist to head high.
Ideal for: beginner and intermediate surfing, bodyboarding, atmosphere
Access: In front of the Maitencillo waterfront (Av. del Mar).
⚠ Not approved for swimming; on good swell days it fills up with surfers.
Maitencillo
Beach next to Maitencillo's artisanal fishermen's cove. There is a fish market and seafood for sale, such as seafood empanadas.
Ideal for: seafood, watching the local fishing
Access: Next to the fishermen's cove, on Av. del Mar.
⚠ Classified as not approved for swimming.
Maitencillo
A small, calm beach in central Maitencillo, near the fishing cove. It is one of the town's nine named beaches.
Ideal for: quiet afternoon, reading
Access: From the Maitencillo waterfront, near La Caleta.
⚠ Classified as not approved for swimming.
Maitencillo
A small beach between rocks south of central Maitencillo. It is listed among the town's named beaches.
Ideal for: short walk
Access: From the Maitencillo waterfront, south of La Caleta.
⚠ Classified as not approved for swimming.
Maitencillo
A small beach in central Maitencillo, between La Caleta and El Abanico. It is one of the town's nine named beaches.
Access: From the Maitencillo waterfront, north of La Caleta.
Maitencillo
Sandy-bottom beach in south-central Maitencillo, mapped in OSM as Playa El Pino. It appears as a neighboring surf spot in surf guides.
Access: From the Maitencillo waterfront, south of Los Pocitos.
Maitencillo
A wide, less crowded beach in Maitencillo. Recommended for those looking for space and to watch the sunset.
Ideal for: walking, sunset, space
Cachagua
A beach of about 5 km in front of Cachagua, used for walking, jogging, surfing, diving and fishing. It is a sandy beach break suitable for beginners. It had 7 lifeguard stations in the 2024/25 season and was the first in the Southern Cone with Blue Flag certification.
Ideal for: walking, jogging, beginner surfing, sport fishing
Access: In front of Cachagua village; paid municipal parking.
⚠ Rip currents and rocks flagged by surf guides; not approved for swimming.
Cachagua
A section of Cachagua beach near the golf club. According to the municipality, it is very popular for walking and surfing.
Ideal for: walking, surfing
Access: Section of Cachagua beach next to the golf club (Loteo El Golf); paid parking.
⚠ Same currents as Cachagua's main beach; not approved for swimming.
Cachagua
Beach facing the Isla Cachagua Natural Monument, the Humboldt penguin island. The walk to Las Cujas beach starts here.
Ideal for: penguin watching, walking
Access: Northern Cachagua, facing the island; paid parking. From here you can walk to Las Cujas.
⚠ Protected wildlife area: access to the island is not allowed.
Cachagua
A small beach between Cachagua and Zapallar reached by a trail through the forest. Its large rock pools form natural pools popular with families with kids. It had 2 lifeguard stations in 2024/25.
Ideal for: families with kids, rock pools
Access: Pedestrian path through the forest, between Cachagua and Zapallar; paid parking.
⚠ Rocks and pools: not approved for swimming in the open sea.
Zapallar
A small bay of golden sand and blue water surrounded by forested hills. A pedestrian walkway links it to the fishing cove and its restaurants. It is approved for swimming and had 3 lifeguard stations in 2024/25.
Ideal for: families, kids, swimming
Access: Central Zapallar; paid parking at Parque de La Paz and a pedestrian promenade to the cove.
Zapallar
Fishermen's cove in a small bay framed by La Higuera, El Morro and Cerro La Cruz, with a microclimate sheltered from the wind. It has been a Typical Zone since 1989 and has fish and seafood restaurants.
Ideal for: seafood, strolling
Access: On foot along the promenade from Zapallar beach.
Zapallar
A beach of about 1 km next to the La Laguna wetland, a bird refuge. Along the seaside promenade there are cafés, restaurants and a small chapel. It had 5 lifeguard stations in 2024/25.
Ideal for: strolling, birdwatching, cafés
Access: La Laguna area of Zapallar (between Maitencillo and Cachagua); paid parking on Av. Tajamar.
⚠ Not approved for swimming.
Zapallar
A beach in the municipality of Zapallar managed by the municipality, with 2 lifeguard stations in the 2024/25 season. Its exact location could not be confirmed.
⚠ Not approved for swimming.
Zapallar
Small beaches (Punta Pite South and North) on the coast between Zapallar and Papudo, along a stone trail designed by landscape architect Teresa Moller. The trail is open to the public.
Ideal for: walking, viewpoints
Access: Coastal trail of stone steps (Teresa Moller, 2004-2006), open to the public, within a residential development between Zapallar and Papudo.
⚠ Narrow trails without railings above cliffs.
Papudo
Town beach next to Papudo's fishing cove. It is the only one in the municipality approved for swimming, with 2 lifeguard stations in 2024/25. Next to the cove there are seafood stalls and shops.
Ideal for: families, kids, swimming
Access: Central Papudo, next to the fishermen's cove (Av. Irarrázaval).
Papudo
A long beach in front of Papudo's waterfront. It had the most lifeguard stations in the municipality (11 in 2024/25), but it is classified as not approved for swimming.
Ideal for: walking, sun, sunset
Access: In front of the Papudo waterfront.
⚠ Not approved for swimming despite having lifeguards.
Papudo
Beach north of Playa Grande de Papudo, managed by the municipality. It had 2 lifeguard stations in 2024/25.
⚠ Not approved for swimming.
Papudo
An open beach north of Papudo, at Punta Pullally. It is a sandy-bottom surf spot. It had 1 lifeguard station in 2024/25 run by a private concessionaire.
Ideal for: walking, dunes
Access: North of Papudo, on the road to Las Salinas de Pullally, next to the mouth of the La Ligua River.
⚠ Not approved for swimming.
You can swim, with caution and in the supervised area.
Caution: currents or waves that require care.
No swimming. Follow the lifeguard's instructions.
Swimming classification for Zapallar, Cachagua and Papudo: Harbor Master's Office (C.P. PPD). The Maritime Authority publishes a new resolution every season; we'll update it as soon as it is out. Sea emergencies: 137 (Navy).
According to the latest resolution published by the Quintero and Papudo Harbor Master's Office (2024/25 season), the approved beaches on this stretch are Playa Zapallar and Playa Chica de Papudo. The rest are classified as not approved or have no published classification. The maritime authority updates the list every season.
No. Zapallar's Waterfront Bylaw (DA 2093/2022, art. 16) bans domestic animals on beaches, waters and swimming areas in the municipality, which includes Cachagua and La Laguna. Papudo's 2025 waterfront bylaw also bans them on its beaches. In Maitencillo we found no published ban; ask locally.
Green: you can swim with caution. Yellow: caution, dangerous conditions. Red: no swimming. Swim only in areas with lifeguards and during supervised hours.
During the summer season set by each municipality (in Zapallar, December 15 to March 15) and only at designated beaches. Hours change every season.
