Anakena Beach: Rapa Nui's White Sand and Seven Moai

Anakena Beach is a crescent of white coral sand on Easter Island's north coast, about 18 km (11 miles) from Hanga Roa and roughly a 20-25 minute drive on a paved road. It is the island's main swimming beach and the traditional landing site of Hotu Matu'a, the first Polynesian king, which makes it both a resort and an archaeological site. The beach is free to enter and open all day, but the ceremonial platforms behind the sand sit inside Rapa Nui National Park and require a park ticket.

The bay is one of only two sandy beaches on an island otherwise edged by black lava cliffs. That rarity explains the scene: a palm grove planted in the 20th century, calm turquoise water, and seven moai standing on a 60-metre platform just behind the towel line. You can swim in the morning and study carved stone in the afternoon without moving your car.

What to See and Do at Anakena

Ahu Nau Nau: The Seven Moai

Ahu Nau Nau is the reason to walk to the back of the beach. The platform holds seven moai, four of which still wear their pukao, the reddish scoria topknots quarried from a crater on the island's south side. The figures are among the best-preserved on Rapa Nui because they were buried in sand for centuries before excavation in the 1970s and 1980s. Look closely at the torsos: you can still see the carved lines of hands and loincloths, details usually eroded away on coastal statues.

A rope barrier keeps visitors off the platform and off the sand directly in front of it. A local guide is required to approach the ahu itself, though the beach and the palm grove are open without one. Guides wait near the car park and charge per group, not per person; a 30-minute explanation of the moai and the Hotu Matu'a legend costs less than a taxi back to town.

Ahu Ature Huki: The Lone Moai

At the western end of the beach stands a single moai on a smaller platform. This is Ahu Ature Huki, and its history is unusual: Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl and a team of islanders re-erected the statue in 1956, the first moai to stand again in modern times. The experiment proved that a small group could raise a statue using only wooden poles and stones. It is a quieter spot than Ahu Nau Nau, with fewer tour groups and a clear view back along the whole bay.

Swimming and the Beach Itself

Anakena is the only beach on the island where swimming is officially sanctioned and generally safe. The bay is sheltered, currents are weak, and the water temperature stays around 18°C (64°F) in winter and climbs to roughly 25°C (77°F) in late summer. The sand is coral, not volcanic, and it stays cool enough to walk on barefoot at midday. The palm grove behind the beach has picnic tables and shade; a fresh-water shower and changing rooms sit near the car park.

Ovahe Beach, 800 Metres East

A short walk or drive east brings you to Ovahe, a smaller cove with a pinkish sand made from crushed shells. It is prettier in photographs and empty most days, but there is no lifeguard and the surf can be stronger. Families with young children should stay at Anakena. The walk between the two beaches takes about 15 minutes on a rough path, and the contrast is worth the effort if you have a spare hour.

Planning Your Visit

Getting There from Hanga Roa

The road from Hanga Roa crosses the island's interior and passes near the Rano Raraku quarry turnoff, so many visitors combine Anakena with a morning at the moai quarry and a picnic lunch. A rental car is the most flexible option; taxis charge around 320-380 Chilean pesos per kilometre, and a round trip with waiting time costs more than a day's car rental. Bicycles are available in town, but the 18 km route is hot and exposed, with one long climb.

organised tours run in the afternoon and typically include Ahu Tongariki and Rano Raraku in the same loop. If you want the beach to yourself, arrive before 10 am. Park rangers check tickets at the entrance checkpoint; carry your passport or a photo of it, as the ticket is registered to your name.

Tickets and Opening Hours

The beach itself is free and open 24 hours. The ahu platforms and the surrounding national park area require a Rapa Nui National Park ticket, which for foreign adults costs about US$80 and is valid for 10 days from first entry. The ticket covers the major sites, including Rano Raraku and Ahu Tongariki, and rangers stamp it at each entry. Fees change periodically; check the official Rapa Nui National Park site before you travel. Toilets at the beach cost 500 Chilean pesos, and a handful of kiosks sell snacks, cold drinks and local tuna empanadas.

Best Time to Go

Morning is the best window for both light and crowds. Organized tours usually arrive after 1 pm, and the beach fills with island families on weekends. December to March is summer: warmest water, occasional rain showers, and the island's highest visitor numbers. The Tapati Rapa Nui festival in the first half of February brings nightly performances in Hanga Roa and a noticeable bump in beach traffic. June to August is cooler and wetter, but you may have the sand to yourself on a weekday.

Practical Warnings

There is little mobile phone coverage near the beach. Bring cash for the toilets and kiosks; card readers are unreliable. The sun here is strong even when the wind feels cool, and shade is limited to the palm grove. Do not climb on the ahu or move stones; the platforms are burial sites, and rangers enforce the rules. The sand gets hot by 1 pm, so water shoes or sandals help on the walk from the car park.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a guide to visit Anakena Beach?

No guide is needed for the beach, the palm grove or the car park. A local accredited guide is required only to walk up to the Ahu Nau Nau platform and the roped area in front of it. Guides wait at the entrance and charge per group.

How much does it cost to visit Anakena?

The beach is free. The national park ticket, which covers the ahu and other major sites, costs about US$80 for foreign adults and is valid for 10 days. Toilets cost 500 Chilean pesos, and kiosk snacks run a few thousand pesos.

Can you swim at Anakena Beach?

Yes. It is the island's main swimming beach, with a sheltered bay, weak currents and water temperatures from 18°C to 25°C depending on the season. There is no lifeguard, but the bay is calm most days.

What is the best time of day to visit?

Arrive before 10 am for fewer people and softer light for photographs. Tour groups usually reach the beach after 1 pm, and weekends are busiest with local families.

How long should I spend at Anakena?

Half a day covers swimming, the two ahu and a picnic. If you add the walk to Ovahe beach and a guided explanation at Ahu Nau Nau, plan for four to five hours including the drive from Hanga Roa.