Think of the quintessential tropical beach paradise: waving palm trees, crystalline waters and white coral sand. Anakena beach looks exactly like that idyllic image and has a backdrop of lush rolling hills to boot. It’s the only sand beach on Rapa Nui with warm, inviting waters, but despite this remains peaceful and unspoiled.

More than just a beautiful beach, Anakena is also the heart of the history and culture of Easter Island. On this beach, the king of Easter Island established the first populated center which eventually evolved into modern-day Rapa Nui culture. The beach still bears marks of this illustrious history, sporting imposing ceremonial platforms on which majestic moais stand: the Ahu Nau Nau and the Ahu Ature Huki.