Moai of Easter Island

To reach Easter Island, fly from Santiago, Chile – around five hours over the South Pacific. Once there, Hanga Roa is the island’s heartbeat, with car hire readily available for independent explorers. Organised multi-day tours can also be arranged before arrival. Roads are simple to navigate, but distances can be deceptive, so take your time if you’re going independently.

Local guides offer some great storytelling, especially valuable at more spiritual or lesser-known sites.  Bring sun protection, walking shoes, cash (ATMs are scarce), and water. Above all, bring respect – the island is not just a destination, but a living memory, etched in basalt.

Easter Island welcomes visitors year-round, but April to June and October to December offer milder weather, fewer crowds and more vivid light for photography. The summer months (January to March) are warmer, often busier, and coincide with the Tapati Festival – vibrant and immersive, though more crowded. Winter (July to September) brings cooler temperatures and rougher seas.

For the most evocative experience, rise early for sunrise at Ahu Tongariki, when the Moai are silhouetted against a glowing sky – an unforgettable, almost spiritual sight. Late afternoon offers golden hues and softer light, especially at Tahai, where the sun sinks behind lone statues staring toward eternity.