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Pier and boat trip · Valparaíso, Valparaíso
Muelle Prat
Pier in front of Plaza Sotomayor from which launches depart for tours of Valparaíso bay, among ships, cranes and views of the cerros.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Muelle Prat
Muelle Prat is the passenger pier in front of Plaza Sotomayor. It was expanded as a public promenade and houses craft stalls, a replica of the ship Santiaguillo, and the ticket points for the launches that circulate the bay.
The boat trips are short and show Valparaíso from the sea. From there the city makes sense: the narrow flat area by the water and the houses climbing the cerros like stadium seating. The launches pass close to the container terminals, the cranes and the Armada ships anchored in the bay.
Valparaíso is the main passenger port and one of Chile's largest cargo ports, and in summer it receives cruise ships. The comings and goings of tugboats and freighters are part of the pier's landscape.
At sunset, Muelle Prat is a meeting point to watch the sun fall over the Pacific, with Playa Ancha on one side and Viña del Mar in the background.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
A lancha ride takes 30 to 40 minutes; add the waiting time until the boat fills/departs.
Best time
Low-wind days make the sea calmer. Late afternoon brings low light over the cerros.
How to get there
On foot, a few minutes from Plaza Sotomayor and Puerto station of the Metro Valparaíso.
Tip
Bring a jacket: at sea the wind is colder than on the square. Agree on the price and duration of the trip before boarding.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Muelle Prat
How do the boat trips at Muelle Prat work?
Vendors on the pier offer speedboat rides around the bay. The boat leaves when it reaches full capacity and returns to the same point.
What do you see on the boat tour?
The port, the cranes, the anchored ships and the city spread over the hills, seen head-on.
Does the ride rock a lot?
The bay is sheltered, but the wind can roughen the water in the afternoon. Those who get seasick should prefer the morning.