Amid the culinary and scenic charms of the Los Ríos Region, Valdivia safeguards a historic treasure on the Calle-Calle River: the O’Brien Submarine.
Cover photo: CCM Valdivia
Imagine stepping into a real submarine, climbing down through a hatch, and walking through the spaces where its crew lived and worked. The O’Brien Submarine Museum, located along the waterfront, is one of the most unusual visits you can add to a city tour, between Valdivia’s rainforest and its rivers.
The story of the O’Brien Submarine
Built in Scotland starting in 1971, this vessel was commissioned by the Chilean Navy and launched in late 1972. It reached Chilean waters in August 1976, arriving in Punta Arenas to carry out strategic patrol and surveillance duties.
Its name pays tribute to Jorge O’Brien, an Irish sailor who joined the Chilean independence cause. It belongs to the legendary Oberon class, renowned during the Cold War for its ability to travel silently underwater—key for surveillance and espionage missions.
After 25 years of service, it was decommissioned in late 2001. In 2008, the Municipality of Valdivia acquired it to convert it into a cultural space. Today, it is the second of its kind still afloat in the world and one of three museums of this kind in South America.
What can you see inside the submarine?
After entering through a 90 cm hatch, you’ll climb down a vertical ladder to begin a tour through narrow corridors and different levels, making it easy to imagine what life was like for crew members during their long days beneath the sea.
The tour is guided and lasts about 40 minutes. You’ll see the bunks where sailors rested, the engine room, weapons areas, and part of the equipment used for navigation.
How much it costs and how to get tickets
- Visiting the O’Brien Submarine costs $4,000 per person (US$4), and payment is cash only.
- Tickets go on sale from 9:30 AM, at the container next to the submarine. They can only be purchased on the same day.
- There is no reservation system, and each tour allows up to 12 people. Since spots are limited, if you want to secure entry or choose a specific time, it’s best to arrive early.
- Entry is allowed from age 7. The visit is not recommended for people with claustrophobia, vertigo, or mobility issues that could make the tour difficult.
How to get to the O’Brien Submarine Museum
The submarine sits on the riverbank, right on Valdivia’s riverfront. From the Feria Fluvial, it’s just 300 m—about a 4-minute walk—so you can easily get there on foot and keep exploring this part of the city.
- Address: Avenida Arturo Prat, corner of San Carlos.
- Hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday, with eight entry time slots throughout the day. Closed Mondays. You can check the details for each time slot at this link.
