Iquique

From CruisersWiki

Iquique was once part of the Viceroyalty of Peru but became Chilean territory during the War of the Pacific.

It now has a population in excess of 200,000.

For many years it relied in nitrate mining but it now serves the copper mining industry in the hinterland. It is also a major transhipment port for cargo going to and from Bolivia. With excellent beaches it is a popular tourist destination for both Bolivians and Brasilians.

Charts

No large scale charts of the inner harbour available.

Weather

Despite having an annual rainfall of only 1mm Iquique has a very pleasant climate. Afternoon sea breezes prevail throughout the year and record maximum and minimum temperatures are in the order of 30*C and 8*C respectively. Typically days start off calm and a southerly sea breeze sets in at about midday.

Sources for Weather forecasts:

Passages

See Chile.

Navigation

Open and free of hazzards until well into the harbour and in safe anchorage. The narrow, shallow channel leading to the marina requires high tide for safe transit if boat's draft is more than 1.75 meters.

Navigation

Add any navigation notes such approaches, dangers etc here. If this section does not apply remove it.

Berthing

Typically bow in with a stern line to a club buoy. They seem to be designed for smaller yachts

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

• Club de Yates y Botes Iquique http://www.cybiqq.cl

The manager is Sr. Patricio Vargas Herrera IQUIQUE EARTHQUAKE In early April 2014 the yacht club pontoons were badly damaged by a small tsunami associated with the Iquique earthquake.

Anchorages

A crowded anchorage, larger yachts could anchor amongst the tugs and fishing boats.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

No dedicated chandleries.

Repairs/Yards

No facilities designed for yachts within the port.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

No fuel available at the marina, numerous service stations in the town.

Propane

Available in the port.

Water

Potable water on the pontoons

electricity notes

240V electricity laid on to the pontoons

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

List places of interest, tours, etc.

• Atacama Desert: Nitrate ghost towns of Santa Laura and Humberstone.
• Oasis town of Pica.

Grocery & Supply Stores

• The usual hypermercados such as Lider and Jumbo are a short taxi ride south of the marina. Smaller supermercados such as Santa Isabela are located near Plaza Prat.
• Agro (huge multi-block farmers' market plus meat, poultry, dairy, grocery, general merchandise.
• Iquique is a 'free port' and the large Zofri - the Zona Franca/Free Zone - is a short taxi ride north of the port.

Eateries

• Plentiful throughout the town. Many are to be found around Plaza Prat.

Internet/WiFi

Free yacht club wifi, also internet cafes in town..

Laundry

Yes.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Yes.

Garbage Disposal

Garbage reception facilities within the marina.

Transportation

• The airport is some distance south of the town. Regular flights to Arica, Antofagasta and Santiago.
• Two 'Terminus de Buses', one being a dedicated Turbus depot, both an easy walk from the marina.
• Small bus termini serving destinations such as Humberstone and Pica.

Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forums

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

Links

• Iquique at the Wikipedia

References

See Chile.

Comments

We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit. We arrived at anchor on Christmas Day, 2010, and told the Armada we were comfortable to sit in quarantine until after the holiday and the weekend. The following day we were visited by an Armada officer who told us to expect a clearance party the following morning, Monday at 1000. On schedule the next day the Armada brought with them representatives from Migracion, Aduana and Ministerio de Salud, and we engaged in a friendly round of form-filling, signing and rubber-stamping the cockpit. We were quickly cleared, welcomed to Chile and told to report to the Gobernacion Maritima offices, which are 100 metres from the dinghy landing, to pay the appropriate fees. It was a wonderfully simple and friendly process when compared to our experiences in Peru, Ecuador and Mexico. s/y Sequitur.

Verified by

Date of member's last visit to Iquique and this page's details validated:

• January 2011-- s/y Sequitur
• February 2014 --Frank Holden s/y Westerly Serenade

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Contributors to this page
Names: Frank