Easter Island Sports & Outdoors

 
by pure1942
 
  •   Sports & Outdoors
    by pure1942
  • Surfer at Playa Pea
      Surfer at Playa Pea
    by pure1942
  •   Sports & Outdoors
    by Lunaina
  •   Sports & Outdoors
    by Lunaina
  •   Sports & Outdoors
    by Lunaina
 

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Surfing

by pure1942

Surfing on Easter Island has gained a significant reputation within the surfing fraternity and over the past few years the infrastructure for surfers has improved. Beginners will enjoy the moderate swells just out from Hanga Roa Harbour and Playa Pea, but much of the rest of the islands other prime surf spots are for experienced surfers only. Apart from Playa Pea, there are no beach breaks on the island with reef breaks the only class of break. This makes access and exit to the water difficult and most of the ‘best’ locations are outright dangerous. There is no protecting outer reef and many of the swells crash into the cliffs. You really need to know what you’re doing and surfing alone is a big no-no. There is a growing surf community on the island who can advise you on the best spots according to your ability and rental businesses are beginning to sprout up around Hanga Roa.

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Snorkelling

by pure1942

Snorkelling trips can be arranged through the dive centres for those wanting to take a peek at what lurks under the waters of Rapa Nui but either don’t want or haven’t been qualified to scuba dive. The most popular spots are in and around the waters of the three motus, Motu Nui, Motu Iti and Motu Kao Kao but you will have to arrange this through a company as these locations involve a boat ride to access them. Off beach snorkelling is disappointing and snorkelling from other locations around the island is dangerous due to currents, swells and powerful waves. The cheapest company is the newly founded Atariki Rapa Nui in Caleta Hanga Piko but trips can be arranged through private charter or through the other more established companies, Orca Dive Centre and Mike Rapu both located on the pier in Hanga Roa.

Swimming

by pure1942

Contrary to most people’s image of a South Pacific island, Rapa Nui isn’t overly blessed with your typical white sand paradise beaches. Those who tend to visit Easter Island aren’t just interested in lazing on the beach all day! However, if you do need a place to relax after all that sight seeing or have a desire to swim, the island does have three good spots for a dip. Playa Pea is a convenient, if tiny, beach near the harbour in Hanga Roa, Playa Ovahe is a secluded and beautiful beach on the northern coast and the pick of the bunch and most popular beach at Anakena, also on the northern coast. There are facilities at Anakena and small snack bars to grab a bite to eat.Be warned that swimming anywhere else on the island can be extremely dangerous, with powerful reef breaks and strong swells battering the coastline. There are also the added unpleasantness of poisonous sea urchins sharp...

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Diving

by pure1942

You haven't seen Easter Island until you have seen it from beneath! The crystal blue waters off Rapa Nui offer some of the clearest and least polluted diving conditions in the world. Having only qualified to dive in late 2009, we haven't a huge amount of scuba experience but haveto say that our dive in Easter Island was our most memorable so far. What the water lacks in the abundant sea life of say, Thailand or Indonesia, it more than makes up for with its crystal clear visibility, unpolluted water, stunning geological formations and the added bonus of a coral encrusted anchor and underwater moai. Very surreal feeling to see one of these stone giants lying on the sea bed. However, don't get too excited, this moai isn't an original and is just a replica of a real moai which does lie on the ocean floor but is too deep for casual divers to access. Although not overly populated with sea...

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Horseriding

by pure1942

Traditionally, horses were the islanders main mode of transport and this custom is still very much apparent to any visitor to Easter Island. Many local lads still get around the island on horseback and while strange at first, you soon get used to the sight of Rapa Nui locals riding bareback along the streets of Hanga Roa and of horses tied up outside the shops and market. Visitors can also get in on the act with many places offering horseback riding around the island. Half day, full day and even overnight excursions can be organised and give visitors the chance to explore the more isolated parts of the island such as the Poike Peninsula. There are a variety of operators on the island offering horseback riding with Piti Pont being the most recommended tel.

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Hiking

by pure1942

Walking/Hiking around the island is another great way to explore and discover the sites. With the island being so small, you really can cover the whole island on foot although to reach all the sites on foot you will need multiple days. Better to mix and match between walking, taking a tour and maybe renting a scooter. There are several interesting hikes around the island, with the most popular being the hike from Hanga Roa up to the ceremonial village at Orongo and the climb up Terevaka. A longer and more rugged hike takes you all the way around the northern point of the island from Tahai to Anakena Beach which takes you past some secluded ahu sites, caves and rock art carvings. Best of all is the refreshing dip awaiting you at beautiful Anakena Beach!

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Watching football (soccer)

by Lunaina

Hanga Roa is small and the only town on Easter Island. The soccer/footballfield is near the pier at the harbour. There is also a small beach for swimming and you will find many surfers. In the weekend there are a few matches. You will then see many young locals around following those matches.

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Diving - Mike Rapu Diving Centre

by kiwigal_1

While we were on Easter Island my husband, Christian, was thinking about going diving for the first time. We went to Mike Rapu Diving Centre to check it out. They offered PADI dive courses for beginners as well as advanced dives for qualified people. In the end Christian decided not to go diving due to our limited time availability.There are submerged moai that they can take dive groups to but a beginner would not be able to do this dive. This would be provided by the dive centre.

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Horseriding

by RawdgerDodger

A fun sport to try on Easter Island is Horse Riding. Rumor has it that the horses outnumber the people on the island 3 to 1. There is about 3,000 people on the island. Simple math says that equals about 9,000 horses. I am not sure if these figures are fully correct but that is the urban legend here. Perhaps this island should be called The Island of Horses as horses seem to dominate this landscape. Equipment will be provided by the local renting you the horses.

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Renting a Surfboard in Hanga Roa, Easter Island

by RawdgerDodger

Surfing is a unique sport that combines intensity with relaxation and requires a good deal of practice to master. The waves on Easter Island provide a good place to surf. Hanga Roa has the best break on the island. Right out in front of the center of town in Hanga Roa an awesome point break can be found. The day I went out in mid-september, waves were braking overhead in sets of 5-6 with an occasional 7 footer and one 9 footer. There were only a handful of people surfing these beautiful waves that extended a hundred yards out into the sea. The pipe was soft, forgiving, and did not plow me in too hard into the water which was nice. It also made for a soft relaxing finish. For people with or without surfing experience, this place is a must see as the scenery around is classic. Moai's (stone head statues) litter the shorelines while a select few surfers get to ride by and are treated to...

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Top 3 Hotels in Easter Island

Manu Nui Inn  Easter Island

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The Place

Reviews and photos of Easter Island attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Easter Island sightseeing.

Experience Easter Island
 

Questions and Answers

ANNE930 profile photo

Q:  Hi All, I live in Macau PRC and am thinking of visiting Easter Island which is always one of my dream places. But travelling to... 

langlanglangpelikan profile photo

A: Hi! Was on that amazing island a few years ago. And then the only flights from South America was from Santiago, Chile. But there were also possible to fly there from... 

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