The beach at Isla Negra is a long stretch of dark sand and broken rocks pounded by Pacific surf. It is not a swimming beach — the water is cold, the currents serious, and the rocks unforgiving — but it is a fine place for a walk after visiting Neruda's house, with views back up at the writer's terrace and the rocky island offshore that gave the village its name.
Local fishermen launch small boats from the southern end of the beach early in the morning, and you can sometimes buy fresh fish straight off the boats. Pelicans and gulls work the breakers; sea lions appear on the rocks. Wear shoes you can lose to a wave.