Tongoy is a seaside town in the commune of Coquimbo, about 45 minutes south of La Serena, built on a peninsula between two beaches: Playa Grande, with more than 4 km of light sand and calm water, and Playa Socos, narrower and quieter. Along with Guanaqueros, La Herradura and Totoralillo it is one of the Coquimbo Region's main resorts, and it is famous for its scallops, according to El Mostrador.
This guide covers Tongoy's beaches, things to do, how to get there and the weather, with information checked on November 6, 2026. Prices and opening hours change from season to season: confirm them before you travel.
View the data as a table
| km from Santiago | 428 |
| km of Playa Grande | +4 |
| hectares of protected wetlands | 105 |
| bird species recorded | 131 |
Tongoy's beaches
| Beach | What it's like | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Playa Grande | The main beach: more than 4 km of light sand, a gentle slope and calm water | Families with children, long walks and water sports |
| Playa Socos | North of the peninsula, narrower and with rock formations | Shore fishing and sunset walks |
| Playa Blanca | Small bay of about 500 m with white sand and clear water | Diving, snorkelling and relaxing |
| Puerto Aldea | Fishing cove at the southern end of Playa Grande | Seafood away from the crowds |
Sources: El Mostrador and Los Andes. Sources disagree on the total length of Playa Grande; we use the most conservative figure, more than 4 km. Although the bay is calm, swim only where there are lifeguards and a green flag.
Things to do in Tongoy
- Eat scallops at the cove. Tongoy's scallops became famous for their natural beds, now regulated and replaced by farms in the bay. Signature dishes are razor clams and scallops parmesan, crab pie, seafood stews and seafood empanadas (El Mostrador). See also our guide to Chilean empanadas by region.
- Buy at the fishermen's cove, which brings in conger eel, corvina, sole and palometa every morning, plus Chilean abalone (loco), sea urchins and razor clams.
- Kayak, stand-up paddle and boat rides in the bay, which is sheltered by the Lengua de Vaca ridge that juts into the sea.
- Birdwatch in the wetlands. Salinas Chica, Salinas Grande and Pachingo were declared a nature sanctuary in 2018: together they cover 105 hectares and have recorded 131 bird species, according to El Mostrador, including flamingos and black-necked swans. They are also a Ramsar site, the international list of protected wetlands.
- Visit Guanaqueros, the neighbouring cove to the north, and carry on to La Serena and Coquimbo.
- Go to Bosque Fray Jorge National Park, a relict cloud forest in the middle of the semi-arid north, south of Tongoy. Hours and tickets in our Fray Jorge guide.
Local festivities include the Scallop Festival (Festival del Ostión) and the feast of Saint Peter, patron saint of fishermen. Each year's dates are published by the Municipality of Coquimbo and Sernatur Coquimbo.
A weekend on the peninsula: a sample plan
Tongoy is best enjoyed slowly, but in two or three days you can combine the beach with the food and nature around it. This plan was put together by Viajando Chile with the attractions in this guide:
| When | Plan | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1, morning | Fishermen's cove and breakfast facing Playa Grande | The fishermen arrive early with the day's catch |
| Day 1, afternoon | Playa Grande: swim, kayak or stand-up paddle | Afternoons tend to be windier |
| Day 2, morning | Salinas Chica and Salinas Grande wetlands | Bring binoculars and stay on the paths |
| Day 2, afternoon | Playa Blanca or Playa Socos and sunset on the peninsula | Playa Socos is the quietest at the end of the day |
| Day 3 | Bosque Fray Jorge National Park or Guanaqueros | Fray Jorge has set hours and capacity: check before you go |
With more time, Tongoy works as a base for the Elqui Valley and its pisco route, or for heading north to the Humboldt Penguin National Reserve and Damas Island, on the border with the Atacama Region. For a longer trip up north, see also our guide to Bahía Inglesa.
How to get to Tongoy
| From | Distance | Approximate time | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Serena | — | About 45 minutes | Route 5 south and the Tongoy turn-off, or bus and shared taxi from La Serena and Coquimbo |
| Santiago | 428 km | About 4 to 5 hours | Route 5 North, or direct bus from Santiago's terminals |
| La Serena airport | Flight from Santiago and transfer via Route 5 | Under 1 hour by road | Rental car or transfer |
Sources: El Mostrador (time from La Serena) and Kupos (428 km and about 4 hours by bus from Santiago, with Buses Paravías and Turbus). The time from the airport is a Viajando Chile estimate. In January and February, leave early: Route 5 between Los Vilos and La Serena gets congested on long weekends; check the remaining public holidays.
Weather and when to go
There is no Chilean Meteorological Office (DMC) station in Tongoy; the closest one with long records is La Serena (La Florida). Between 2016 and 2025 the mean temperature was 17.9 °C in February, the warmest month, and 11.2 °C in July, the coldest. It is an even climate: in Santiago, by contrast, January's mean reaches 22 °C (averages calculated by Viajando Chile from DMC data).
View the data as a table
| La Serena (coast, reference for Tongoy) | Santiago (Quinta Normal) | |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17.6 °C | 22.0 °C |
| Feb | 17.9 °C | 21.7 °C |
| Mar | 16.4 °C | 19.5 °C |
| Apr | 14.6 °C | 15.5 °C |
| May | 12.9 °C | 11.8 °C |
| Jun | 11.8 °C | 9.0 °C |
| Jul | 11.2 °C | 8.8 °C |
| Aug | 11.8 °C | 10.4 °C |
| Sep | 12.3 °C | 12.8 °C |
| Oct | 13.2 °C | 15.5 °C |
| Nov | 14.7 °C | 18.6 °C |
| Dec | 16.1 °C | 20.8 °C |
| Season | What Tongoy is like |
|---|---|
| December to February | High season: crowded beaches, pricey cabins and everything open |
| March and April | Sea still pleasant, fewer people and better prices |
| May to August | Cloudy mornings and cool days; a good time to eat at the cove |
| September to November | Mild, quiet spring; a good season for birdwatching in the wetlands |
The most common lodging is family cabins with kitchen and parking, plus hostels, boutique hotels and campsites (El Mostrador). If you travel in January, book ahead.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Tongoy?
In the commune of Coquimbo, Coquimbo Region, about 45 minutes south of La Serena and 428 km from Santiago.
Which Tongoy beach is best for children?
Playa Grande, thanks to its gentle slope and calm water. Even so, swim only where there are lifeguards.
What should you eat in Tongoy?
Scallops parmesan, razor clams, crab pie, seafood stews and seafood empanadas, at the cove or in the restaurants facing Playa Grande.
How do you get to Tongoy without a car?
By direct bus from Santiago (about 4 to 5 hours) or by bus or shared taxi from La Serena and Coquimbo.
