27 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Easter Island (+ Photography Tips)

Categories: Destinations

Easter Island (also known as Rapa Nui, Isla de Pascua, or Te Pito o Te Henua) is a little speck of land in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and one of the most magical places I’ve ever been. Located 2,300 miles off the coast of Chile, this tiny island is the most remote inhabited place in the world.

Growing up, I was never a fan of history or geography (in fact, they were my worst classes – ironic, I know), but there was something about the story of Rapa Nui that stuck with me. Maybe it was the mystery surrounding the giant Moai, that the Rapa Nui people had such a thriving civilization before they essentially disappeared, or the big question of how any humans were able to find this isolated piece of land in the first place.

Fast forward 15 years later and I finally got to check this place off the very top of my bucket list. The best part, though, is that we had the absolute privilege of touring the island with our local guide, Christopher, who taught us the REAL history of Rapa Nui, the stories behind the Moai, and showed us what an amazing place this is.

I’ve been all over the world and I swear that the colors are most vibrant and the stars are brightest on Rapa Nui.

From the Moai that stand guard over the island, to the beautiful people who call this place home, and the horses that roam free, we easily filled up multiple memory cards during our short stay.

So here’s a collection of my favorite photos to inspire your own visit to Easter Island!

Posts to help you plan your trip to Rapa Nui

How to Visit Easter Island (Rapa Nui): Everything You Need to Know

How to Use Google Maps to Plan Your Next Road Trip (Step-By-Step Tutorial With Examples)

Photos to Inspire You to Visit Easter Island

Ahu Tongariki at sunrise on a sunrise tour in Rapa Nui National Park, Easter Island

Ahu Tongariki at sunrise. The famous platform featuring 15 restored Moai. Rapa Nui National Park opens at 9:00 AM, but Tongariki opens early for sunrise tours. We were hesitant to book this tour because the weather is very unpredictable and we weren’t sure how we’d like photos of the Moai in shadow. But it turned out to be one of the most beautiful sunrises I’ve ever seen.

 
Looking out over Ovahe Beach on the north shore of Easter Island

Looking out over Ovahe Beach. This is a hidden gem on the island! You need a car to get here, but no guide required. It’s a super short walk to get to this overlook, but you can continue to follow the small path around the bay to reach the sandy beach. This is not a good place for swimming.

The Milkyway over Ahu Nau-Nau at Anakena Beach

The Milkyway over Ahu Nau-Nau at Anakena Beach. While you don’t need a guide to go here during the day, a guide or special photography permit is required to enter at night. Photography permits are complicated to obtain, so your best option is to book a stargazing tour with a certified guide.

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Ahu Nau-Nau at Anakena Beach. This is a great spot to grab lunch, enjoy a pisco sour, and relax on the beach for a few hours!

Wild horses at sunset on a drive along the east coast of Easter Island.

Wild horses at sunset on a drive along the east coast of Easter Island. After our tour ended for the day, we grabbed our cameras, hopped in the car, and just drove around looking for beautiful scenery and fun photo ops. After a short drive, we came across herds of wild horses grazing along the coastline. We spent hours watching them.

The Milkyway over palm trees on the north shore of Rapa Nui.

The Milkyway over palm trees on the north shore of Rapa Nui.

 

Ahu Tongariki just after sunrise on Easter Island

Ahu Tongariki just after sunrise.

Ahu Tongariki photographed from the road. You can see Tongariki from the road if you have your own car, but you need a guide to enter and see them up close.

Ahu Tongariki photographed from the road. You can see these Moai from the road if you have your own car, but you need a guide to enter and see them up close. I break down entry requirements and how to find a guide in my post on how to visit Easter Island (Rapa Nui).

Rano Raraku in early morning sun.
Rano Raraku in early morning sun. This is the iconic quarry where the Moai were carved before being transported to their final position. It’s a major highlight of the island where you can walk among giant, partially buried and unfinished Moai. You need a certified guide to enter.

People swimming at Anakena pink sand beach on the north shore of Rapa Nui.

People swimming at Anakena pink sand beach on the north shore of Rapa Nui. The easiest way to get here is with a car. Despite being a tropical island, there aren’t many beaches on Easter Island so this the most popular beach because of its soft sand and gentle waves. You’ll see lots of locals and tourists hanging out, swimming, and enjoying the sun.

Driving a car on Rapa Nui

Driving around Rapa Nui. Renting a car here if a pretty informal process and some lodge hosts might even have cars you can borrow. We stayed at Maunga Roa Ecolodge and our host, Carla, had 2 cars that her guests could rent directly from her to use during their stay. Prices were a little cheaper than the rental companies in Hanga Roa, with a lot less paperwork!

Any regular 4×2 is fine for driving around and will easily get you to places like Anakena Beach or Rano Kau Crater. Offline Google Maps works great for getting around. Most cars are manual, so book early and let the rental car company know if you need an automatic.

Hanga Roa, the only town on Easter Island. This is where most hotels, restaurants, and shops are located. It's an adorable little town with cobbled streets lined with hibiscus flowers

Hanga Roa, the only town on Easter Island. This is where most hotels, restaurants, and shops are located. It’s an adorable little town with cobbled streets lined with every color of hibiscus flower you can imagine.

The volcanic landscapes of Rapa Nui.

The volcanic landscapes of Rapa Nui.

The stars on a clear night on a road trip around Easter Island.

The stars on a clear night on a road trip around Easter Island. It’s perfectly safe to drive around the island at night, but make sure you drive extra slow and pay very close attention for any horses or other animals that cross the road.

Sunset on Easter Island.

Sunset on Easter Island.

Two horses grooming each other. Rapa Nui is home to thousands of wild (or semi-wild) horses, which roam free across the whole island.

Two horses grooming each other. Rapa Nui is home to thousands of wild (or semi-wild) horses, which roam free across the whole island. Many of them are owned by local families but they’re let free to roam around and graze wherever they please.

Some of the horses are also trained for horseback riding tours. While we didn’t get a chance to go riding, I found these fun horseback riding tours, including one that takes you up to the top of Terevaka (the highest point on the island) to plant a tree!

Ahu a Kivi is a sacred place and celestial observatory on the island.

Ahu a Kivi is a sacred place and celestial observatory on the island. It’s unique because all 7 of the Moai are equal shape and size. They are also the only Moai that are located inland facing the ocean, rather than along the coast facing the land. According to locals, it’s believed that they were erected on neutral territory and represent each of the 7 clans on the island, where kings from each clan would meet once per year to discuss politics and future plans for the island.

A hiking trail on Rapa Nui. There are several very scenic trails that take you through volcanic landscapes, past Moai statues and to panoramic viewpoints.

A hiking trail on Rapa Nui. There are several very scenic trails that take you through volcanic landscapes, past Moai statues and to panoramic viewpoints. Most people only stay on Easter Island for long enough to take guided tours to the main points of the island. But if you have extra time, hiking is a great way to get a unique, off the beaten path experience.

3 best hiking trails on Rapa Nui: 

Astrophotography over Rapa Nui.

Astrophotography over Rapa Nui.

Ahu Tongariki captured with the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4 lens.

Ahu Tongariki captured with the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4 lens.

A horse on Easter Island at sunset.

A horse on Easter Island at sunset. We spent a long time deciding if it was worth renting a car on Rapa Nui, but I’m really glad we did because it let us explore at our own pace and stop for spontaneous photo ops like this one. The horses are everywhere and make for incredible photography, especially at sunrise or sunset.

Tip: Use a long lens to get beautiful photos of the horses without getting too close to them.

Astrophotography over the Moai at Anakena Beach, captured on a stargazing tour.

Astrophotography over the Moai at Anakena Beach, captured on a stargazing tour.

Anakena Beach at night.

Anakena Beach at night.

Hiking at Rano Raraku crater with a view of the Pacific Ocean and Ahu Tongariki in the distance

Hiking at Rano Raraku crater. This view of the Pacific Ocean and Ahu Tongariki in the distance was one of my favorites on the island!

Up close view of buried Moai at Rano Raraku quarry.

Up close view of buried Moai at Rano Raraku quarry. While these Moai look like just a stone head, a few of them were excavated as part of a UCLA research study and found to have full bodies that had been buried over time.

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A horse in the middle of the road on Easter Island. Driving on Easter Island is very easy, but drive slowly and watch out for cows and horses that roam free on the island.

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A fun photo that our guide snapped of us at Ahu Tongariki. He titled this one “The 17 Moai“.

Recommended tours of Easter Island

As of 2022, Rapa Nui National Park requires you to have a certified local guide  in order to visit most archaeological sites. Here are some guided tours you can book before you go!

Photography Tips for Rapa Nui

  1. No Drones Allowed: Rapa Nui National Park has strict regulations and you can’t fly a drone without a special permit, which is really difficult to get. You’ll get a huge fine if you’re caught flying without a permit or the rangers will take your drone completely. This was confirmed to us by our guide who used to work as a ranger in the park. You can, however, get creative with high vantage points like photographing from Rano Kau crater or Terevaka, the island’s highest peak.
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  2. Book Stargazing and Sunrise Tours in Advance: If you want to take photos of the Moai under the stars at Anakena Beach or during sunrise at Tongariki, you need to book well in advance. It’s hard because these tours are weather dependent and it’s impossible to know what the weather will do on the day you book for. However, these tours do sell out quickly and if you don’t secure a spot you’ll be stuck without a tour.
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  3. Bring a Variety of Lenses: Easter Island’s landscapes and Moai statues deserve a full range of focal lengths! Bring a wide-angle lens for astrophotography and sweeping landscapes, a standard lens for general shots, and a telephoto lens to capture detailed carvings on the Moai or for dramatic compositions. Given how remote the island is, it’s better to bring the gear you need rather than regret packing light.
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  4. Book Private Tours for Flexibility: Private tours let you adjust your schedule to get the best lighting, which is key to get the most out your photos. Let your guide know in advance that you’re a photographer to see if they’re willing to allow extra time at certain locations or tailor the experience to your needs.
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  5. Rent a Car for More Freedom: Driving on Easter Island is so easy and having your own car let’s you explore at your own pace, stop for spontaneous photo ops (like the photos of the horses!) and chase the best light at places that don’t require a guide.

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Did these photos inspire you to plan your own trip to Easter Island? If so, visit my complete guide to Rapa Nui to learn everything you need to know before you go, including entry requirements, best places to go, and how to get a tour guide.

 

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