Anakena Beach
Playa de Anakena
The island's only large white-sand beach, shaded by palm trees. Beside it, the Ahu Nau Nau platform holds the best-preserved moai, and this is where the island's founding ancestor came ashore.
Anakena lies on the island's north coast and is one of the very few white coral-sand beaches on Easter Island. Its water is clear and blue, and coconut palms brought from Tahiti line the shore, giving it a South Pacific atmosphere. According to Rapa Nui oral tradition, the legendary first king, Hotu Matu'a, came ashore here by canoe and founded his kingdom. Behind the beach are two important stone platforms. First, Ahu Nau Nau: five of its seven moai wear red pukao. Having been buried in sand for a long time, their backs and belt carvings are unusually well preserved, making them among the finest-carved moai on the island. They were restored and re-erected in 1978. Second, Ahu Ature Huki: a single moai that Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl and local people re-erected in 1956 using wooden poles and stones. It was the first moai to be raised in modern times. The beach has changing rooms and barbecue snack stands. The tuna empanada is recommended. It's a good place to swim and sunbathe after a day of sightseeing. Anakena is within the national park, so you'll need to show your park ticket. It is about 18 km from Hanga Roa, a drive of about 25 minutes.
Opening hours
About 09:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Ovahe Beach
- Te Pito Kura (Navel of the World)
- Papa Vaka Petroglyphs
- Maunga Terevaka
- Rano Raraku
- Ahu Tongariki
- Poike Peninsula
- Ahu Akahanga