The Rapa Nui Stargazing Experience

Overview

Available languages

English

Spanish

3 hours

Mobile ticket

Learn about the principles of basic astronomy, the history of Polynesian voyaging and settlement, navigational techniques and the archeo-astronomy of Rapa Nui. Gaze at the night sky and view stars and constellations visible only in the Southern Hemisphere.

Your guide will point out stars and constellations of interest to the Polynesian navigators, relating some of the stories and legends that are tied to them, and explaining the techniques on how to find certain cardinal points of the traditional Polynesian compass by using the layout of the night sky. Look at the beauty of star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, stars and planets visible through our high-powered telescope before heading to Anakena Beach with the option of taking spectacular shots of the star-filled sky moai in the foreground. Finish the night with a hot beverage and a slice of local cake.

IMPORTANT: Photos are intended for personal, non-commercial use only, and photos cannot be used for profit (see Mau Henua rules)

Additional Info

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Start time from Sept to April 20:30 in front of Katipare library

No refunds after the tour starts. If weather changes while out on the tour we will try to take you out again free of charge on another night (subject to availability).

Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled completely due to poor weather, you will be notified before the tour and you will be given the option of an alternative date or a full refund.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Anakena Beach

We meet all travelers in front of Katipare library (Centro Lector Katipare) at 20:30 - 21:00 during summer and at 19:30 - 20:00 for winter. We have special access to Ahu Nau at night, this is our last stop. Before driving to Anakena, we set up our telescopes at a remote site. Hot beverage and local cake included

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable

Easter Island

We will meet in town and our first stop is near Anakena beach. Here we will have a talk on Polynesian navigation techniques and general layout of the night ski, as well as telescope observation and a coffee break. Then we will go to Anakena to do photos. Your photo will be sent in about 5 days, via email (internet is slow on the island). The duration of the tour is 3 hours approximately including transportation back to your lodging.

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

Small-group tour (max 12 people)

Hotel Drop-off

Guide / Driver

Live commentary on board

Options

The Rapa Nui Stargazing Experience

Reviews

4.50

32 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

A major disappointment
Janet M,,Feb 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00
My friend and i scheduled a star gazing trip months ago for the first night we arrived on easter island which was confirmed. That afternoon we got a message saying that we were the only 2 scheduled for Sunday and could we go Monday night instead. Not great for us Monday night but we said yes. Monday afternoon we got another message saying that we were the only 2 for Monday night. Could we come and join the Tuesday night group? No we could not. And we were scheduled to leave easter island on Wednesday. Instead of offering to just take us we were told that we would get our money refunded. The money was not the point. It was the major disappointment of not being able to do the star gazing because we will never be back to easter island again. I am hoping this is not a common occurrence because wehave many more viator excursions scheduled in South America over the next 3 weeks.
No go
cmgworek,,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00
Canceled by the provider. It's too bad. They canceled more than 4 hours before the tour was scheduled and had they waited, the sky was completely clear.
Saw the milky way and more
Jeanne S,,Feb 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
This was a great experience. The sky was beautiful that night and we saw the milky way. The leader gave a talk about navigation using the stars. We enjoyed looking thru the telescopes and seeing the moon and planets. A nice hot choccolate and cake snack was provided. We also went to see Moai and had photoes taken.
Star gazing on Easter Island
nigelawy,,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Trip was confirmed a few hours to check for weather and we were picked up in the middle of town at Katipare. The pick up was prompt and it was a relatively manageable group of less than 15. We went to two locations, one where we sat on camping chairs to hear the explanations and sip hot chocolate, viewed the stars and planets through telescope and another where our pictures were taken by the Moais. After the whole experience, we were shuttled back to our respective hotel location. Will recommend to bring jacket as it might be quite cold and windy at night and to book your accommodations nearer to the town centre so that you can walk down to the meeting place. Looking forward to the pictures!
Unforgettable experience!
Tatiana L,,Jan 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Marc is an excellent guide. He has a lot of knowledge and clearly loves what he does. The explanations are very cool, and then seeing the stars by the telescope, in a sky like that of Rapa Nui, is amazing. There is a delicious hot chocolate to enjoy and the cherry cake is to take one of the most beautiful photos of your life. I recommend.
A trip to the past
768helenen,,Dec 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
The hotel should be as centrally located as possible, mine was not and the restaurants very remote, that means long walks . The excursions were very well organized, but after 2 full days you saw everything. Unfortunately, my already paid stargazing was cancelled due to too few participants. That Easter Island is expensive does not have to be said.
Oh Moai!!!!!
Tony S,,Dec 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This was an extraordinarily FUN event. Mark and his team picked us up at the local library and transported us to a viewing point on the coast. He spent a good amount of time orienting us to the stars of the southern hemisphere. He talked about the Polynesian culture and what GREAT navigators they were. Using different star points he would illustrate how the sailors would get their bearings and determine their direction. Mark and his team had three telescopes set up and would focus them on different planets and constellations for our viewing. After a while of viewing and hot chocolate, we piled back in the vehicles and headed across the island to Anakena, a place where seven moai stand upon an ahu (ceremonial platform). It is completely dark, so with the help of timed photography and a little light which Mark sheds on the statues, we each had a night photo taken in front of the moai----VERY COOL. Rapa Nui Stargazing does a GREAT job. I highly recommend this experience. Summer nights can be cold, so dress appropriately.
Outstanding star gazing tour! Mark and the team made sure it was informative and fun. Highly recommend m!
Brian D,,Dec 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Mark and the team were great! Informative and very fun tour. They made sure we were comfortable and provided hot chocolate and cake while sharing stories about the island and how the original Rapa Nui used the for navigation. Seeing Saturn through the telescope was awesome! Highly recommend!
Great night sky over the island.
matthewcA4867YT,,Nov 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Knowledge guides shared details and access to high-powered telescopes to view stars and planets in great clarity. Visiting the Moai under the stars was unlike anything else.
Highly recommend
Lori K,,Nov 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Awesome experience and I learned a lot! Mark and Yoyo were fantastic and I appreciated the extra touches of a blanket, hot chocolate and song ❤️