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

4.70

27 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

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 ❤️
Great experience
Thomas V,,Apr 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This was the first time ever I got to see all the stars in the sky like that. It was such an amazing experience. There was a brief period where it was cloudy, but nothing could be done about that
Amazing tour of Easter Island/Rapa Nui
country hopper2019,,Mar 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was an amazing experience. For the stargazing, they provided chairs for us while Mark explained how the my use to use the stars to navigate. He pointed out many constellations and showed great knowledge in explaining how they used the positions in the sky to know where they were. They had 2 telescopes set up and we were able to view Jupiter and 4 of the moons as well as one focused on our moon. Mark took pictures of us with the night sky. I highly recommend this adventure for anyone headed to Easter Island/Rapa Nui.
We were only in Rapa Nui...
james,,Jan 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
We were only in Rapa Nui (Easter Island) a relatively short amount of time. The evening of our original viewing was cloudy and these wonderful guides let us know in advance and offered to accommodate another evening or refund our money. The honesty is much appreciated!! We opted for the next evening which ended up getting a bit cloudy than any of us would have liked but they cannot control nature. We were able to see a handful of nebula, stars, planets, and other technical names I do not recall. It was fascinating! Marc and Yoyo also gave a nice educational overview about the stars, solar system, Earth rotation around our star, and so on during the periods of clouds. The photos on the beach with the Moai were an excellent touch. Thank you for sharing your beautiful island with us!
Green Island Tours - Excellent set of tours
642hillaryw,,Dec 29, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was one of the tours that I had strung together through Green Island Tours. I enjoyed all of them. They were personable and didn’t feel like I was with a tour company but with a set of locals. All of the tours were with small groups which was the perfect size for me being a solo traveler. Loved the stargazing experience. We were able to see Venus, Saturn, Sirius, and a nebula through the telescopes. Bonus was getting a professional photo of us with the night sky and Moai in the background.
A Great Night of Stars with the Moai
Richard S,,Dec 27, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00
Upon arriving at the site, the evening began with a talk about some pertinent related astronomy/mythology stories. (Which was also a great way to allow time for eyes to adapt to the darkness, so as to be better able to view the skies.) Then it was time to view the heavens with the aid of telescopes. There is something special to be able to see the skies away from all the light pollution that permeates much of where we all live today. Later we stood in front of the maoi at Anakena beach. It is awe inspiring to see those giant standing sentinels in the dark of the night. Much of the detail will be forgotten as the years roll on, but some of the magic of the night is preserved with the night photo taken by the guides and e-mailed a few days later. This did not feel like just "some tour" for the guides; both were very interested in the subject matter, helpful, and enthusiastic. Certainly a great night for those visiting Rapa Nui. (Oh, and they had good hot chocolate too.)
Not to be missed!
Glory453,,Dec 10, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Not to be missed. Seeing it all at night is magic and the photos are beautiful! We were served hot chocolate and serenaded by guitar. Please note there are no bathrooms and it is cold at night so dress warmly - you’ll be outside like camping style so your own tissues and maybe a blanket.