cruise ships sailing to easter island

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This is one of the world's most isolated islands. Despite being in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and far from any continent, Rapa Nui (or Easter Island ) was home to one of the most fascinating civilisations in history. Nearly 900 moai — huge iconic statues found on the island — are its most remarkable legacy. In the 21st century, visiting Easter Island remains one of the surprising trips you can take. 

All about cruises Easter Island

Polynesia and Easter Island

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Must-Sees - Easter Island

For keen travellers, exploring this place is the dream. Easter Island piques curiosity and fascinates visitors. Almost 900 moai (giant iconic statues) populate the island whose native name is Rapa Nui . Many of them invite reflection. Pause for a few minutes and understand this faraway culture a little bette.

The Essentials - Easter Island

What do we really know about Easter Island ? All the mysteries around the moai and the history of a people believed to be extinct attract visitors annually from all over the world. Here are the beginnings of some answers.

Explore Easter Island

The islands of Chile and Argentina on the edge of the oceans

Admire the Ahu Akivi moai facing the ocean

There are seven of them. Seven watchmen monitoring the horizon. The inland Ahu Akivi is the only place on Easter Island where the moai face the ocean. Arranged next to each other, these four-metre statues watch over the island. Each weighs about 12 tonnes. These huge statues represent ancestors or the most important kings. They were supposed to protect locals and make them prosperous.

Visit peaceful Hanga Roa

Hanga Roa is the capital of Easter Island. The only urban centre on Rapa Nui , in the south of its western side, this village is where most of the island's population (7,000) lives. A lovely time can be had walking around the little Hanga Roa Otai fishing port or visiting Santa Cruz Church (the only Catholic building on the island). Built in 1937, it is decorated with superb wooden sculptures. Nearby, the artisan market is the place to unearth a typical souvenir made by the island's craftspeople. In the middle of the town, facing the ocean, Vare Vare Park provides some green space in which to relax.

Explore Ahu Tahai

During a stop on Hanga Roa, you absolutely must visit one of Easter Island's most impressive archaeological sites: Ahu Tahai . It contains three ahu: ceremonial platforms made of the island's volcanic rock. Ahu Ko Te Riku is noteworthy with its statue featuring white stone eyes. Ahu Vai Ure stands out for its five moai in a line with their backs to the shore. The solitary Ahu Tahai moai is 4.5 metres tall. This is a place you must visit to learn about history and enjoy exceptional scenery at the same time!

Visit Orongo ceremonial village

You have to imagine the panorama to understand the feel of this place. On one side there are the slopes of Ranu Kao volcano ; on the other, a towering cliff plunging in to the Pacific Ocean. The ceremonial village of Orongo sits between them. Camped out on the southern tip of Easter Island, the 53 little stone houses that make up this hamlet evoke a time when Rapa Nui clan chiefs came together to choose their religious leader.

Discover the marvels of the island's eastern region

To admire the island's biggest ceremonial platform, Ahu Tongariki, you have to go east. It has 15 moais standing side by side, including the heaviest on the island which weighs 86 tonnes. Partly destroyed in a 1960 tsunami, in 1990 the ahu was rebuilt exactly as it was. With its 15 giants, this is one of the iconic sites to which travellers often come from half a world away. The dormant Rano Raraku volcano is nearby. This site has incredible and legendary natural scenery. Its crater protected by 200-metre-tall walls contains a natural reservoir and was used as a quarry for moai building. An estimated 95% of moais were sculpted here. 394 in various states of completion can still be seen today.

Unique features

The Sebastian Englert Museum in Hanga Roa is home to one of the 12 female moai found on Easter Island. Discovered in 1956 by Thor Heyerdahl, the torso was exhibited alone in Oslo until the head was found in 1988. The body was then taken back to its native land so the statue could be complete.

Essential phrases

Although Rapanui is still spoken a little, Spanish is the most common language on Easter Island.

Hello/Good evening: Buenos días/Buenas noches Goodbye: Hasta luego Welcome: Bienvenido Thank you: Gracias Yes/No: Sí/No How are you?: Cómo estás? Very well, thanks, and you?: Bakan, muchas gracias y tú? My name is...: Yo me llamo

Ceviche and fresh but unchanging fish are the cornerstones of the local cuisine. Most fruit and vegetables are imported. However, the delicious and sweet little pineapples you find on Easter Island are scrumptious.

Myths and legends

Some historians say that the first Easter Island inhabitants came from Indonesia. But legend has it that the first man to arrive here was the Polynesian king Hotu Matua . Chased from the Marquesas Islands, he landed on Rapa Nui in the year 500, having first sent his seven sons over as scouts. The boys were then represented by the seven moai facing the ocean at Ahu Akivi .

In the spotlight

Since the rongorongo glyph system was discovered in 1864 on Easter Island by the missionary Eugène Eyraud, it has never been deciphered. However, we do know that tablets were read from left to right, starting at the bottom. Some symbols are reminiscent of traditional Polynesian genealogical hymns. A lunar calendar has also been deciphered.

Books. Thor Hyerdahl was a Norwegian explorer famous for crossing the Pacific between Peru and the Tuamotus in 1947 on-board a perilous dinghy. His book Aku-Aku - The Secret of Easter Island is an adventure classic. This autobiographical narrative traces the stages of the first archaeological expedition conducted on the island in 1955. More than a chronicle of a scientific mission, the text tells of the concern the last Pascuans felt about the Europeans and how they wanted to keep their culture secret: a culture that had flourished for centuries without any other influence.

Music. Most Rapa Nui dances are Polynesian in origin, like the sau-sau from Samoa and the ula-ula and tamuré from Tahiti. The first two are characterised by wave-like hip and arm movements, while the third is mainly danced by men who perform spectacular acrobatics reminiscent of war dances.

Film. Too often, it is assumed that the people behind the moai have died out. However, those who believe this don't know Rapa Nui's contemporary history. The documentary L’Histoire cachée de l’île de Pâques (The Hidden Story of Easter Island) ((France Ô and Virginie Adoutte, 2014) shows how the 400 Rapa Nui people were confined behind barbed wire after the arrival of the Chileans in 1888, penning them in the equivalent of 6% of the territory. The rest was allocated to intensive sheep farming and operated by a private company. For some of them, the only way out was to flee on pirogue canoes to try and reach Tahiti over 4,000 kilometres away. Their story is told here for the first time.

Facts and figures

Easter Island is the remotest inhabited island on the planet. It is 3,700 kilometres off the coast of Chile.

• Adamstown, Pitcairn Island (Pitcairn)
• Anaa, Tuamotu Islands (French Polynesia)
• Bora Bora, Society Islands (French Polynesia)
• Hanga Roa, Easter Island (Chile)
• Moorea Island (French Polynesia)
• Papeete, Tahiti Island (French Polynesia)
• Rikitea, Gambier Islands (French Polynesia)

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9 Reasons to Cruise to Easter Island

A Holy Grail among seasoned travelers, mysterious and mystical Easter Island is a speck of land of 63 square miles in the middle of the Pacific Ocean – one of the most isolated spots on the planet. And not only is it isolated, but also its waters are prone to big swells that make cruise ships’ tender operations at best tricky. And weather and sea conditions can change quickly. As our local guide put it, “the weather here is like Polynesian women – you don’t know what’s coming!” World Cruises and other grand voyages include Easter Island as a highlight on their itineraries. My husband Humberto and I have visited it three times, the latest one this February during the 2019 World Cruise of Holland America’s  Amsterdam.

Easter Island was annexed by Chile in the 19 th  century and called Isla de Pascua (Easter Island in Spanish); Rapa Nui is its Polynesian name. The island was first seen by Europeans on Easter Sunday in 1722, when Dutch navigator Jacob Roggeveen came upon it. Those who have studied Easter Island calculate that the Rapa Nui people settled here around 700 A.D. coming from Eastern Polynesia, and that they created the large Polynesian-style “moai” sculptures between 800 and 1600 A.D. to honor ancestors. These monumental statues have made the island world-famous. By the time the Europeans came there were just a few thousand inhabitants on the island, and it had been deforested and depleted. By the 19 th  century a little more than a 100 Rapa Nui people remained.

Here are 9 reasons to set sail to Easter Island and thank your lucky stars when you get there:

Most of the island, with three volcanoes, lakes and villages, is national parkland and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And it is as “exotic” as exotic gets – I mean, how many people do you know who have actually set foot on Easter Island?

The tiny island has nearly 1,000 moai. These are enigmatic, monolithic, monumental statues carved from  tuff  or  tufa  (volcanic rock) depicting humans, and sometimes called “Heads” or “Big Heads.” The statues do have large heads (a three-to-five ratio between the head and the trunk) but the name “Big Heads” may come from the fact that some of the statues are half-buried by centuries of exposure to the elements – thus looking like “Big Heads,” sitting on top of the ground, but the rest of the body is simply underground. Characteristics of the statues include heavy brows, elongated noses and lips that protrude in a thin pout. Some statues are depicted with a type of headdress or hat.

Moai | Photo: Georgina Cruz

The Supernatural

The mysticism associated with the statues. One of our local guides, Carlos, told us that the statues acted as “antennas.” Placed over graves of distinguished ancestors believed to possess “manna,” a supernatural quality that protects people, they “beamed” the “manna” from the ancestors back to the living through their eyes. We toured the ceremonial site of Tahai in the town of Hanga Roa, where statues are displayed on altar-like platforms called  ahu,  including one statue with its eyes inserted. The eyes, made of shell and stone, may have been inserted in the old days for special occasions only for fear that the eyes would be stolen if left on the statues always. I stared into the eyes of the statue that has them inserted and, what can I say, I could swear I felt  something .

Some moai remain half buried | Photo: Georgina Cruz

Mysteries of the Moai

Scientists have yet to solve the enigmas surrounding the statues including how these heavy volcanic material works of art (some weighing as much as 82 tons) were moved to their present positions by a Stone Age culture. Theories include that the “moai” were rolled into place on tree trunks, that extraterrestrials beamed them down, and last, but not least, that the statues “walked” to their positions. The statues face the land, presumably to protect the people of the island.

The mysterious heads are all over | Photo: Georgina Cruz

Rano Raraku Quarry

No visit is complete without seeing the volcano that was turned into the main quarry for the “moai.” The quarry, another of the sites we toured during our latest visit, has about 400 “moai” scattered around including the largest of the island. Of the 400 statues about half are finished and the rest were never completed. Among the unfinished statues is a 71-foot-high one estimated to weigh 200 tons. Some of the statues on hillsides in this site are the famous “Big Heads” – with the rest of their bodies buried through centuries of exposure to the elements.

A volcanic crater with a picturesque lake, it overlooks an ocean, that like the waters off Santorini, is sapphire in color.

Ahu Tongariki

A largest ceremonial center of the island with the Pacific Ocean on its back. It has an impressive 15 “moai” displayed on an  ahu  that make for memorable photographs. One of them is 30 feet tall.

Ahu Tongariki | Photo: Georgina Cruz

A is a stone village and ceremonial center we visited on a previous voyage that is associated with the cult of the “bird man,” a competition to select the “bird man” who would rule the island for one year. Orongo has ruins and petroglyphs.

Anakena Beach

This beach, with beautiful pink sand, is not only wonderful for an hour or so of sun and surf, but also the site of several “moai.”

Anakena Beach | Photo: Georgina Cruz

— Georgina Cruz 

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Cruises To Easter Island, Chile

Easter Island Visiting Cruises Calendar

EASTER ISLAND CRUISE

Discover the history of the south pacific.

Located in the South Pacific Ocean on the eastern edge of the Polynesian Triangle, Easter Island is the largest open-air museum on earth. Because of this, an Easter Island cruise should be at the top of any cruise lover's bucket list!

Discovered by Dutch navigator, Jakob Roggenveen, on Easter Day 1722, the name Easter Island has stuck. Of course, native people had lived on the island for hundreds of years previous to this and called it many different things such as Rapa Nui and Te Pito O Te Henua.

Nowadays, the island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and museum. It's also one of the most remote places on earth, with the nearest continental port being 3,526 Km away in Chile. The major highlight of the island is without doubt the Moai or Easter Island heads. These large statues are dotted throughout the island and researchers are still unsure as to how they were transported. The largest of the 600 statues is 10 metres high and weighs in excess of 80 tons!

Although there are no cruises specifically oriented around Easter Island, plenty of longer South Pacific and world itineraries stop here. Passengers have the opportunity to go ashore and explore the island for themselves, visiting the town, admiring the statues and taking part in the activities on offer. 

To help you choose the right cruise , we have written a detailed guide on what to expect during your Easter Island cruise. Please use our quicklinks if you know what section you wish to read. 

Best Time To Visit Easter Island

Easter Island is blessed with year-round good weather. The temperature does not vary too much from Winter to Summer and travellers can visit at any time of year. 

If visiting by cruise, most expedition cruises tend to sail in the shoulder months, around March, April, May, and August, September, October. Temperatures during the months generally stay between 65°F - 75°F, however, the earlier shoulder months get a lot more rainfall. 

Rainfall is actually quite common throughout the year, even in Summer. Because the island is quite exposed, the trade winds off the Pacific Ocean are a trademark of the island's weather. 

Although expedition ships tend to visit in the shoulder months, plenty of the large cruise lines (such as Holland America and Oceania Cruise) visit in the high Summer season around January, February and March. This means more tourists on the island a much more busy feel. 

Types of Cruise Ships

Because of its remote location amidst the open ocean, only ships of a certain size cruise to Easter Island. Specifically designed expedition ships and large cruise liners are the two most popular options. Below is a little more information on both. 

Expedition Ships

Expedition ships are specifically designed to take passengers to the furtherest corners of the earth. Facilities onboard are designed for viewing, learning and activities. 

Carrying between 100-300 passengers, expedition ships offer lecture rooms, libraries and glass-fronted lounges. You'll also get plenty of guide zodiac trips to explore the landscape and search for wildlife. You'll also get plenty of time ashore thanks to the ships small size.

The negative side of expedition ships is facilities, size and motion. Because their smaller, you'll feel the motion of the ocean more which is not ideal for seasickness sufferers. There also is not the same amount if facilities on board such as pools, casinos, cinemas etc. 

Expedition ships tend to offer South Pacific itineraries only. The most popular is Tahiti to Easter Island. 

Cruise Liners

Cruise liners are hugely popular thanks to their onboard facilities. Whilst you won't get zodiac trips or lectures from naturalists and expedition leaders, you'll get cinemas, pools, restaurant options, casinos and much mire onboard!

Because of their size, you also won't feel the motion of the ship as much. Most cruise ships that visit Easter Island carry between 1,000 and 3,000 passengers and offer Easter Island as part of a 'World' itinerary. Some of these exceed 100 days in length.

There is also the option during the high Summer period to take a shorter cruise from Santiago in Chile.The downside of these big cruise ships is that you won't get as much time ashore as you would on a expedition ships, you also won't have dedicated experts on board.   

Easter Island Highlights

Easter Island is a beautiful island with a wealth of activities to do. During your stop over it is highly recommended to book several activities at least to make the most of your time on the island. 

Below are some of the most popular things to do during your Easter Island stop-over.

Kayaking is top of our list as it provides you a way to explore the coastline in incredible detail. Many of the expedition cruises will offer this as standard. If you are sailing aboard a liner, then you can book a kayak trip once ashore. This will cost a little, but it's definitely worth it! Rapa Nui Kayak are the best option and there excursions depart from Anakena Beach. 

Surfing conditions on Easter Island are actually very good and keen surfers and beginners will get plenty of opportunities should they wish it. Papa beach is ideal for beginners as the waves are long and slow. You can even learn to surf here with several companies. For more experienced surfers you may want to try Hava beach which is very close by. 

The waters around Easter Island are incredibly clear, making them ideal for diving and snorkelling. Some expedition cruise include diving trips, but you will need to be certified and have at least 25 registered dives under your belt to take part. Diving and snorkelling tours are also by island companies during day trips. 

Mountain Biking

Why rent a car when you can rent a mountain bike? Mountain biking is ideal for active people who want to explore the island in style. There are some great mountains biking trails that will also make the exploring a bit more fun! Bikes can be rented from the main street and generally cost between $15-20 per day, per person. 

Horse Riding

Horse riding trips are one of them most unique ways of exploring Easter Island. Trips can range from several hours to several days and prices start around$50. Guided treks often climb to the top of Terevaka (highest peak on the island) and your guides will point out the unmarked archaeological sites. 

No matter how long your cruise stop is, there is always enough time for a good hike. Easter Island is riddled with hiking trails and walking allows you to experience how isolated the island really is. Although most trails are easy, some of the more remote paths should be trekked with a guide. 

Choosing The Right Itinerary

Choosing the right itinerary can sometimes be a stressful time. Luckily, there are not too many cruise itineraries that actually stop at Easter Island. Therefore, the options are slightly limited to either expedition cruises from Tahiti or mainland Chile. Below we have given more detail on each itinerary option. 

Please note, there is also the option to visit Easter Island on what is known as 'world' itineraries. These do as they say, visiting much of the world including a day on Easter Island. Most of these cruises are in excess of 100 nights and generally arrive in Easter Island near September. 

Tahiti To Easter Island

Tahiti to Easter Island is one of the most popular routes offered by expedition ships in the South Pacific. 

You begin in the capital of Tahiti, Papeete, before sailing into the Austral Islands of French Polynesia. Most itineraries then visit the Pitcairn Islands and several others such as Henderson Island before arriving in Easter Island. 

Prices start around $7,500 and can up to $20,000 depending on which cabin and ship you sail. Expedition ships to offer this itinerary include the Silver Explorer, L'Austral and the National Geographic Orion. 

Chile To Easter Island

The other major itinerary option for Easter Island is to take a cruise from either Santiago or Rio De Janeiro.

The later is longer taking 38 nights, whilst the Santiago option takes around 18 nights and makes a direct route for Easer Island. 

It's worth noting here that these itineraries are not round-trips and generally finish in Papeete, Tahiti. This means flight options can be slightly more costly. Prices for the Santiago cruises start around $7,000, whilst the Brazil option starts at $14,000.  

Easter Island Packing List

Although you may be sailing in the shoulder months of Summer and Winter, the weather is still going to be quite warm. You'll also probably take part in swimming and hiking activities. Because of this, you'll want some breathable clothes that won't get you all sweaty. 

To help you pack the right things for your Easter Island cruise, we have written a detailed cruise packing list. We suggest following the warm weather section. 

Easter Island Cruise Insurance

Having the proper cruise insurance is seriously important, especially for Easter Island cruises. Because of the island's remoteness, rescue costs are very high. For a detailed page on cruise insurance, click here . 

Easter Island Cruise Video

Below is a short video by Planet Cruise demonstrating the delights of Easter Island!

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• Yachting Monthly
• Digital edition

Discovering Easter Island and Pitcairn by boat

• October 5, 2023

Remote and challenging, Easter Island and Pitcairn do not feature on many cruisers’ itineraries. Yet for Ivar Smits and Floris van Hees, they were obvious stopovers crossing the South Pacific

Easter Island (or Rapa Nui) is the most remote inhabited island in the world. Sailing there confirmed it for us. True, we took a detour, sailing north for a few days from Robinson Crusoe Island because a high-pressure system was blocking the direct course. By circumventing this windless area, we hoped to reach the zone where easterly trade winds would blow us westward. Yet for the first few days, light southerly winds barely filled our gennaker. With a daily average of 80 miles our progress was slow, but the calm seas provided comfort on board.

Just when we reached the latitude of the trade winds, the wind abandoned us. Frustrated, we lowered the light-wind sail to avoid damaging it. Drifting, we waited for wind. Our patience was tested for several days, before the reward finally arrived in the form of steady winds propelling us westward. Surrounded by nothing else but different shades of blue, each sign of life attracted our attention. A curious albatross flew around our boat, Lucipara 2. Small, agile birds skimmed the surface to feed. At night, the sky was dark yet so clear we could see the Milky Way all the way to the horizon.

After 18 days and more than 2,100 miles, our anchor finally dropped in front of Easter Island’s main town, Hanga Roa. We were relieved. It marked the end of our circumnavigation’s longest passage so far.

Finding the island was easy thanks to GPS and nautical charts. It’s hard to fathom how the original inhabitants discovered this tiny dot in the vast Pacific Ocean. Research suggests that Polynesians landed here around 1100AD after sailing thousands of miles on a catamaran, a replica of which we admired on land. Contact with the outside world only occurred six centuries later, which underscores how remarkable the first settlement was. Our challenge was avoiding breaking waves as we went ashore from the anchorage.

Finding traces of the original inhabitants was easy. Large stone statues, moai, are everywhere, some 10m high and weighing many tonnes. The islanders built the moai to cherish the mana – the power and wisdom – of influential ancestors. Over time, the moai were made ever larger. It took an increasing amount of manpower to construct them and a lot of wood for their transport. The islanders also used wood for shipbuilding and fire, which made the material even scarcer. Stowaway rats did the rest. With tree seeds and bird’s eggs as their favourite diet, they contributed to the complete deforestation of the island and the extinction of almost all land birds.

Floris looks happy to sight Easter Island after several weeks at sea. Photo: Ivar Smits and Floris van Hees

The ensuing ecological crisis made it increasingly difficult to build seaworthy vessels for fishing and to transport the moai. Social unrest arose and the production of moai abruptly stopped.

Rat meat diet

Yet the misery caused by ecosystem destruction is only part of the story. The islanders were able to adjust their diet and farming methods. Archaeological research shows that they ate fewer birds and fish but more shellfish and rat meat. As deforestation increased, the fertile soil eroded and the wind got a grip on crops. In response, the islanders built stone-encircled gardens. That explains why the islanders were well-fed and cheerful, according to the report of the first meeting with outsiders on Easter Sunday 1722.

During this ‘acquaintance’, at least 10 islanders were reportedly shot dead. Later contacts with outsiders turned out to be even more disastrous. Slavery and introduced diseases reduced the original population from several thousand to just 110 in 1877.

Moai – memorials to important ancestors – are everywhere across Easter Island. Photo: Ivar Smits and Floris van Hees

Today, Easter Island is a holiday destination, meaning that its inhabitants depend on cheap fossil fuels to transport tourists and goods by air and ship to their island. Yet we also met locals striving for a more sustainable island society. All of them were inspired by their ancestors’ mana and values and launched initiatives for more self-reliance and better protection of the environment.

These ranged from growing their own food, setting up a packaging-free supermarket, lobbying for the designation of marine protected areas, organising beach cleans, stimulating bicycling on the island, and teaching children traditional music, culture, and organic gardening in an eco-school. The government did its part by growing trees to reforest parts of the island.

Throughout our three weeks there, we checked the weather forecast daily, as we knew that a shift in wind or swell meant that we would have to move. As it remained calm, we also witnessed the annual Tapati festival. This most important event of the year celebrates folklore, music, dance, and sports and was a delight to attend. Only when our Chilean visa ran out were we forced to abandon this unique island and set sail to its closest neighbour, Pitcairn.

Lucipara 2 (Luci) arriving at Pitcairn Island. Photo: Ivar Smits and Floris van Hees

Bounty Island Pitcairn

Once again, light winds plagued us on our passage. They were just strong enough to keep the gennaker full, although sometimes we needed to hand-steer to make any progress. Our efforts paid off: just before the 14th sunset and on the last breath of wind we reached the illustrious Pitcairn. In very calm conditions we dropped our anchor in Bounty Bay. With no wind and just a little swell, the circumstances were ideal for landing on this island, notorious for lacking sheltered anchorages.

The island was made famous by the mutiny on the HMS Bounty, a transport ship of the Royal Navy. In 1789, mutineers under the command of Fletcher Christian took control of the ship and ejected Captain Bligh and crew loyal to him onto a sloop.

Luci anchored in Bounty Bay, Pitcairn. Photo: Ivar Smits and Floris van Hees

The mutineers, afraid of the long arm of the British authorities, looked for a remote and uninhabited island to which they could flee, along with women they picked up in Tahiti. Pitcairn was the ideal hideaway. It was not along shipping routes and had a rugged coastline. To make sure no one would find them, they burned the Bounty in the very bay where we anchored. Even these days Pitcairn is very remote. There is no airport, so it is only accessible by private yacht or transport ship. Somewhat ironically, the island is now a British Overseas Territory. Nevertheless, after we safely landed our kayak on shore, the welcome sign proudly pointed out that it is the home of the descendants of the Bounty mutineers.

On the quay, officials enthusiastically welcomed us with necklaces made of shells and information brochures. After filling out a form, our passports were stamped, twice. Once for our arrival and once for our departure. ‘You can fill in the date yourself,’ immigration officer Brenda Lupton-Christian (a descendant of Fletcher) explained. ‘If the weather deteriorates you might need to leave and won’t be able to come ashore.’ Now that’s a sailor-friendly approach, we thought! ‘Come by my house if you feel like it,’ she mentioned as we set out to explore the island on foot.

The impressive Polynesian catamaran replica on Easter Island. Photo: Ivar Smits and Floris van Hees

As we hiked uphill, the steep and rugged coastline of volcanic rocks gave way to trees, flowers and birds. Nature really seemed to rule outside the island’s only settlement, Adamstown, because its 50 residents take up little space. Never mind that we didn’t bring food with us: we picked fruits that grow in the wild, such as bananas, guavas, passion fruit, and avocados. Coconuts were also up for grabs under palm trees. What a feast after two weeks at sea!

On the south-eastern edge of the island we found a natural saltwater pool between basalt rocks: St Paul’s Pool. Waves regularly broke over the pool’s edges to bring in fresh water and sometimes made it impossible to swim. Yet on one of our visits it was serenely calm. We snorkelled in crystal-clear water, surrounded by colourful fish that ignored our presence. ‘I feel like I’m in an aquarium!’ Floris mumbled through his snorkel.

On our way to Brenda and her husband Mike, we passed vegetable gardens filled with pumpkins, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, and melons. ‘The supply ship only comes four times a year, so we grow a lot of fruit and vegetables ourselves,’ Mike explained.

For the residents of Pitcairn, it comes naturally to help each other. ‘We are a close-knit community,’ Brenda explained. ‘Everyone has multiple roles and we all have to make do with what we have. After all, we can’t just buy something new.’ As a result, the islanders share things and fix whatever breaks. Consumerism and competition about who has the latest gadget are hard to find here.

A Polynesian outrigger paddle competition during the Tapati festival on Easter Island. Photo: Ivar Smits and Floris van Hees

The highlight of our stay was when we were invited to Brenda’s birthday party. We met most of the Pitcairners there and learned that many choose to live here because of the sense of community. Their biggest challenge is convincing others to make the island their home, as the islanders are getting older and young people are seeking their fortunes elsewhere.

Another challenge was waste. Although the islanders try to keep waste to a minimum, some still arises from packaging of imported food and goods. Mike explained that the garbage was separated in different-coloured bins. Organic waste is used as compost for vegetable gardens, while souvenirs are made from glass bottles. Plastic is ground into small pieces and mixed with concrete to pave roads. Cans are put on the supply ship to be taken back to New Zealand for recycling. That’s why the island is spotless.

Luci rocking at the anchorage in Bounty Bay. Photo: Ivar Smits and Floris van Hees

Self reliance

After a week of calm weather, the easterly wind picked up again. While a cruise ship arrived and the Pitcairners got ready for the influx of tourists, we hoisted the gennaker and set sail for the Gambier Islands. Behind us the waving residents got smaller.

We realised that the Pitcairners’ self-reliant way of life offers important sustainability benefits in terms of nutrition and the re-use of materials, and drew parallels with Easter Island. There, the islanders’ ancestors experienced that their survival depended on cooperation and healthy ecosystems. At the same time, they were resourceful and able to adapt.

The anchor from HMS Bounty. Photo: Ivar Smits and Floris van Hees

Easter Island nowadays shows that the road to a more sustainable society is not easy, with the growing tourism sector and consumer society putting a heavy burden on the islanders’ self-reliance and natural resources. Nevertheless, meeting sustainability frontrunners that are inspired by the spirit of their ancestors strengthened our conviction that the community is making encouraging progress towards a more sustainable future. It reaffirmed that our future is not written in stone but depends upon our own behaviour.

It is up to all of us to apply positive, workable solutions and to make choices in which both nature and humans thrive. These are perhaps the most important lessons that we came away with from our time at Easter Island and Pitcairn.

Just as these islands form oases in the vast Pacific Ocean, our living planet – our home – is isolated in the endless universe. We need to safeguard it for our own survival.

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Easter Island, Chile

The southeastern-most point in the Polynesian Triangle, tiny Easter Island in the South Pacific is one of the most remote places on earth. Even more oddly, it belongs to Chile, which lies 3,700 miles away over the eastern horizon. In fact, a large slice of the island is Chile’s Rapa Nui National Park, preserving the sculptural heritage of the indigenous Rapa Nui people, whose ancestors carved the huge human effigies called moai that give the island its renown and earned it UNESCO World Heritage Site status. These stylized sculptures stand on the slopes of the island, gazing implacably out to sea, often on stone platforms called ahu. They were apparently carved between the 13th and 16th centuries, for reasons that are debated. But the enigmatic effigies, the dramatic volcanic landscape, the Rapa Nui people themselves and the sheer isolation of the island combine to draw visitors from every corner of the globe to this speck in the world’s largest ocean.

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Chile & Easter Island

This classic 8-day Chile and Easter Island itinerary takes you from Santiago de Chile to the enigmatic Easter Island. Enjoy the modern and historical highlights of Chile’s sophisticated and eclectic capital city, then head to Easter Island, aka Rapa Nui, in the Pacific Ocean for a chance to marvel at the moai, the giant human forms carved from stone. Learn about the heritage of the Rapa Nui people, the island’s native Polynesians.

Santiago de Chile

Chile’s exciting capital city is characterized by skyscrapers against a stunning snow-capped mountain backdrop. There’s lots to see and do here, and the best way to take it all in is on a downtown walking tour through the historic district. Start at the main avenue, the Alameda Bernardo O’Higgins, and head to La Moneda, the Government Palace.

Walk through the pedestrian streets of Huérfanos and Ahumada, and visit the famous main square of the city, the Plaza de Armas, where you’ll see the beautiful Catedral Metropolitana de Santiago. Continue to Santa Lucia hill, which is a great vantage point for viewing the city. Stroll around Providencia with its top restaurants, elegant shops, and modern high-rise buildings. Finally, a highlight of any visit to Santiago is taking the funicular up to Cerro San Cristobal, the city’s highest hill, for stunning panoramic views.

Easter Island

This unforgettable Easter Island Chile tour allows plenty of time to stand in awe and admire the many giant stone moai statues, which were built during the 13th – 16th centuries by the island’s inhabitants, the Rapa Nui people, in honor of their ancestors. View the moai at various different locations on the island. Head to Rano Raraku volcano − which is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in the world − and view the quarry where moai were cut from volcanic tuff.

The quarry contains 397 moai statues which are all at various stages of carving. Walk along the path that leads to the ancient crater; it is like being in an open-air museum. Marvel at the most famous and best preserved moai platform of Ahu Tongariki, where 15 complete statues stand in an impressive line on their ahu plinth in front of the ocean and cliffs. This is the picture that you will see on nearly every postcard rack on Easter Island. Wander Anakena Beach, the legendary landing place of Hota Matua and take a dip in the cold Pacific. See Ahu Nau Nau, which is the best-preserved platform on the island because the toppled statues were buried under sand for many years, protecting them from damage.

Take a drive up to Rano Kau, the largest volcano on Easter Island and the location of the historic Orongo village. See the stone dwellings looking out over the sea towards a couple of rocky islands. This ceremonial village is where the ancient ‘Birdman’ competition was held, pitting representatives from each village on the island against each other in a dangerous climbing and swimming match to one of the offshore islands.

Peer inside the Puna Pau volcanic crater where there is a quarry of red scoria that was once an important source of raw material for the islanders. Visit Ahu Akivi for unparalleled ocean views.

Rich in legends, extraordinary landscapes and gorgeous sunsets, this is an unforgettable trip of a lifetime, perfect for couples and families with kids. The featured activities and accommodations can be tailored to suit your personal wishes. The tours are conducted on a private basis (private transport with a private guide).

Itinerary & Prices

All itineraries are subject to change due to seasonal weather conditions (and resultant variations in river and tributary water levels) affecting accessibility to locations. Thus navigation routes, times and excursions may need to be modified at the cruise captain’s or your guide's discretion.

Welcome to Chile!

Welcome to Santiago, the capital and largest city of Chile as well as one of the biggest cities in the Americas. It is situated smack bang in the center of Santiago Metropolitan Region, which is Chile most densely populated region, with a population of 7 million. Filling the country’s central valley, was founded in 1541 by the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia, Santiago is rare among South American capital cities in that it has served as the capital city since the colonial occupation.

Downtown and central Santiago is largely made-up of 19th-century neoclassical architecture and winding side-streets, but has smatterings of art-deco and neo-gothic architecture, amongst others. Like many cities in along the Western confines of the continent, Santiago is surrounded by hills as the Andes begin to rise behind it. The main river in the city is the fast-flowing Mapocho River, and Santiago is known in South America for being modern, organized, and very safe, as well as a clean, prosperous city with important financial and industrial clout in South America.

Upon arrival in Chile, you will be picked up at the airport and taken to your hotel.

City Tour Santiago San Cristobal

On today’s excursion, we explore the historical and modern sights of Santiago de Chile. We start our trip at the main avenue, the Alameda Bernardo O’Higgins, and head to La Moneda, the Government Palace, where we will learn about the historical and contemporary role it plays in Chilean life.

From there we take a walk through the pedestrian streets of Huérfanos and Ahumada, where the main commercial activity of the city is concentrated. Afterward, we visit the famous main square of the city, the Plaza de Armas, around which are several important historical buildings, including the Metropolitan Cathedral. From there we continue our trip on to Santa Lucia hill, the mount upon which the Spanish founded Santiago in 1541. It is a lone steep rock, covered in vegetation and a great vantage point for viewing the city.

Moving on, we cross the Mapocho River to get to Bellavista, the cultural and artistic neighborhood of Santiago and home to many artists, actors, and young bohemian people. Bellavista lies at the foot of the San Cristóbal Hill, the highest in town, and is situated in the middle of the Metropolitan Park. We venture up the hill to explore the surrounding areas all the while enjoying beautiful panoramic views of the city. Finally, we visit Providencia with its top restaurants, elegant shops, and modern high-rise buildings. After this amazing tour, we will call it a day and return to the hotel.

Welcome to Rapa Nui!

Today we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Easter Island!

Upon our arrival at the Mataveri airport in Hanga Roa, we are received with the traditional Island welcome presentation of a traditional flower necklace. After a short transfer to the hotel, we will have the rest of the day to spend as we please. A visit to the nearby church and village is recommended, where we have the opportunity to observe both Catholic and indigenous symbols and statues (Sunday mass available if time permits).  Next to the church, there is a local market and museum rich in Rapa Nui artifacts and culture. 

The Moai of Easter Island

Today we will learn more about the fascinating history of Rapa Nui as we head south along the coast. As we travel along the road, we have the black volcanic rock shoreline as a backdrop, and behind that, some amazing views of the vast Pacific Ocean.

Our first stop will be a place known as Hanga Te’e where we will be able to view a variety of toppled Moai (statues) of Ahu Vaihu. From there, we will continue on and arrive in Rano Raraku. This volcano is home to an ancient quarry that supplied the stone from which about 95% of the island’s sculptures were carved. Here we will enjoy a box-lunch and explore our surroundings. 

Subsequently, we make our way to the next highlight, Ahu Tongariki. This is the largest restored Ahu on Easter Island and features 15 impressive moai. Afterward, we drive towards the east coast and arrive at Te Pito o Te Henua. This location is known locally as the “bellybutton” of the world boasting the nearby Ahu Te Pito Kura. Last, but not least, we will reach the beach of Anakena known for its beautiful white sand and coconut palm trees. After some time here, and a visit to a nearby restored Ahu Nau Nau, we’ll have time for a little rest and a refreshing swim in the Pacific Ocean. 

Meals (B, L)

Legendary Tangata Manu Bird Cult

After breakfast in the hotel, we take a drive up the Rano Kau, an extinct volcano that offers spectacular views from the track that takes you towards the summit. Along the way we will be able to stop and appreciate beautiful panoramic views of the island from different heights and angles – these stopping points are great places to take some really impressive pictures of the dramatic scenery.  Further up, we make a brief stop at an outlook point from which we can see the beautiful lake which is nestled neatly inside the old volcanic crater. 

From there, we will head to the ceremonial village known as Orongo and learn about its fascinating past and how such traditions have been preserved to this day. Orongo is home to the birdman cult, Tangata-Manu, an epic annual race in which competitors needed to swim to a nearby island, harvest the first egg of the sooty tern, and return to Rapa Nui, climbing the cliff with the egg intact!

Here, we can also see some ancient petroglyphs and have a fantastic view of the three islets situated on the opposing coastline. Afterward, we will drive down the volcano to the Ahu Vinapu that includes an ahu – a sacred ceremonial site where several moai stand – with its intricate stonemasonry. Our last stop of the morning before heading back to the hotel will be the cave of Ana Kai Tangata, famed for the ancient cave paintings that adorn its walls

Original Seven Explorers

After a good rest and a delicious breakfast, we set off to Ahu Akivi, a sacred place that features seven re-erected moai. This Ahu is situated inland, and as such, varies a little from other statue collections. Our guide will tell you about the story and legends around this sight and the belief that these statues represent the first seven explorers who were sent to Rapa Nui by the late king Hotu Matua.

From there, we continue on to Hanga Poukura, a site with a number of ahu in various states of disrepair. One of the most famous and varied statue sites on the Island, where we can see the widest variation of stones, with the famous “topknot” statues featured heavily. 

Next, we will visit the important quarry of Puna Pau that provided the sole source of the red scoria that the Rapa Nui villagers used to carve the Pukaos, with every single one traceable back to this one quarry site. We conclude our visit by heading back towards shore and a visit the ceremonial site of Tahai which boasts three completely intact ahus, some other statues that have been lovingly and carefully restored and the remains of the old boathouses and ramp system used many years ago. This is a day is filled with history, culture, and breathtaking sights! 

Returning to the Mainland

Today, after one last breakfast in our hotel, it is time to bid farewell to this fascinating and mysterious island and head back to Santiago de Chile.

The Flight Home

Today we have a final breakfast. If you have not already, you should try the Chilean empanadas!

As we have slept at the airport hotel for convenience, we simply check our departure times and make our way to the check-in counter for our flight home.

Accommodations

Hotel options, cumbres lastarria.

Holiday Inn Santiago Airport

All itineraries are completely customizable. Contact our travel specialists to build your perfect vacation

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Easter Island Chile (Hanga Roa)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Australia - New Zealand - Pacific Ocean Islands

Local Time 2024-04-20 11:18

Port Easter Island Chile cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Easter Island Chile, Hanga Roa. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Easter Island (officially Isla de Pacua) is located in the South Pacific Ocean, about 2200 mi (3500 km) west of mainland Chile (South America). The island is of great archaeological importance and is famous worldwide with its nearly 600 large-head moai statues ("moai") gazing over the ocean. They vary in height from 10 to 40 ft (3 to 12 m) and are carved from volcanic rock.

Discovered by the Dutch in 1722, Easter Island was first named Paaseiland (translated as "Easter Island") and was taken over by Chile in 1888.

The island has a total area of 163,6 km2 (63,2 mi2) and population around 6,600. The nearest inhabited land is Pitcairn Island , at approx 2075 km (1290 mi) to the west. The nearest town is Rikitea (on Mangareva Island, Gambier Islands, French Polynesia , population around 500) located approx 2606 km (1620 mi) to the west.

Islanders are referred to as pascuense (in Spanish). However, it's common to refer to the members of the indigenous community as "Rapa Nui".

Besides tourism (including by cruise ship passengers), the island's other businesses are commercial fishing and farming.

Easter Island is served by the Mataveri Airport. LAN Airlines (domestic airline) offers regular and direct flights to Santiago Chile, Papeete (Tahiti, French Polynesia) and Lima (Peru) .

There is a marine shipping service to Valparaiso port (Santiago, Chile) .

Hanga Roa is the island's port town with population around 3,500 (~90% of the total population). The town features the Avenida Atamu Tekena avenue, lined up with many guesthouses, hostels and luxury hotels (total capacity around 600 beds), stores restaurants, internet cafes. The town also features a museum, a Roman Catholic church, a multi-use stadium, Estadio de Hanga Roa, which is the home ground of the Easter Island football team.

Wood was scarce on the island during the 18th-19th centuries, but several highly detailed and distinctive carvings found their way to world-famous museums.

In 1995, Easter Island was designated a UNESCO Site, with much of its territory protected within Rapa Nui National Park.

Easter Island Chile cruise terminal

Cruise ships to Easter Island dock (anchor) at Hanga Roa - port town on the southwestern coast.

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Easter Island Chile - user reviews and comments

Polynesia and Easter Island

• Get inspired by the possibilities.
• Build your ideal trip.
• Discover the impressive Ahu Tahai and its monumental statues
• Explore one of the most renowned pearl farms at Mangareva
• Visit Pitcairn's museum and its great collection of items from the Bounty
• Tour the Ahu Tahai complex, composed of three important archaeological sites
• Wine Tasting
• Small Ship Cruises
• Easter Island
• South America
• South Pacific
• Ducie Island
• French Polynesia
• Gambier Islands
• Pitcairn Islands
• Society Islands
• Tuamotu Islands

Full Itinerary

Day 1: papeete | embark, day 2: rangiroa, tuamotu islands.

• 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Day 3-4: At Sea

• 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners

Day 5: Rikitea, Gambier Islands

Day 6: aukena, gambier islands | sailing around temoe atoll, day 7: at sea, day 8: adamstown, pitcairn island, day 9: sailing along ducie island, day 10-11: at sea, day 12-14: hanga roa, easter island.

• 3 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners

Dates & Prices

My preferred start date.

Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.

Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Visa, Mastercard, Discover or AmEx

See our general terms and conditions:

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We are an agent for one or more providers on this trip with specific cancellation policies and terms:

• Ponant Special Terms & Condition - Ponant

For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.

• 13 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches, 13 Dinners
• 13 Nights Accommodations
• Accommodations as listed
• Ground transportation as listed
• Activities as listed
• Meals as listed
• Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
• Unlimited Wifi
• Onboard Entertainment 
• Captain’s Welcome Cocktail and Gala Dinner
• Gratuities to Onboard Crew
• “Open Bar” (pouring wines, house champagne, alcohol except premium brands...list available upon request)
• 24h Room Service (special selection)
• English-Speaking Lecturer 
• Highly experienced and bilingual (French-English) expedition staff
• Park Entry Fees into Protected Areas
• Water sports activities (except scuba diving) using the ship’s equipment, when permitted by local authorities and confirmed by ship Master according to safety and sea conditions onsite. 
• Travel Insurance
• Personal Expenses
• Flight costs (please request a quote)
• Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
• Optional Excursions - Ponant allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately six to two months prior to the cruise* departure. Please note that this is subject to change. Please contact us for more details.
• Any ground services before and/or after the cruise other than the ones mentioned
• Luggage Handling 
• Laundry Services, Hair Salon, and à La Carte Spa Treatments
• Pre or post cruise programs, overland programs or shore excursions 
• Beverages other than the ones mentioned in inclusions
• CDP recommends that every Traveler has full and adequate travel insurance covering the risks of cancellation, assistance being required, repatriation, damages to and loss of baggage, and medical expenses

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6 Best Cruises Out Of Port Canaveral

By Zachary Laks | Published on April 9, 2024

It's time to start planning your next big vacation. Whether you're looking for a weekend getaway, a family-friendly vacation or an extended voyage, you'll find cruises out of Port Canaveral, Florida that tick all your boxes.

When considering one of the cruises out of Port Canaveral, plan extra time before and after your sailing to soak up all the fun that the area has to offer. There's so much to do in Orlando that you could stay for several days and never get bored — music to your ears if you're traveling with children. One of the best things about Orlando cruises is that you have your choice of theme parks to round out your vacation. They're expansive and immersive escapes into playful worlds, not unlike a great cruise. I love tacking on an extra day or two at an Orlando theme park, usually before my cruise departs. I always appreciate the days of racking up thousands of steps traversing a theme park before boarding a cruise, where I know I'll be able to lounge on a deck or relax in a hot tub.

Not far from Port Canaveral, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is a great place to spend a day admiring the vast scope of NASA. The center offers one-of-a-kind immersion into space exploration, including the chance to strap into a rocket launch simulator for an adrenaline-pumping thrill.

For those seeking a more peaceful retreat before boarding their cruises out of Orlando, Port Canaveral is near the white sands of Cocoa Beach. Spend the day enjoying calm, low waves — great for year-round swimming, learning to surf and kayaking alongside manatees and dolphins. Or take a seat on an airboat ride through the wetlands for encounters with alligators and, depending on the season, bald eagles, herons and osprey.

Ready to book a cruise to Port Canaveral? Here are the six best cruises from Port Canaveral.

1. Best For A Long Weekend

Set to launch in the summer of 2024, Utopia of the Seas ℠ will be the sixth Oasis Class ship, Royal Caribbean's class of ships packed with adventure and entertainment. The new ship will focus on three- and four-night cruises from its year-round home port in Port Canaveral, with onboard upgrades that include reimagined pool decks, a Giovanni's℠ Italian Kitchen that spans two decks (try the osso buco!) and the new Pesky Parrot tiki bar, serving fruity cocktails on the Royal Promenade. This itinerary  to the Bahamas on Utopia of the Seas ℠ is the best for a long weekend exploring the highlights of The Bahamas, with a day in Nassau followed by a day at Perfect Day at CocoCay , Royal Caribbean's private island destination.

2. Best For Beach Lovers

This exquisite itinerary to the Southern Caribbean on Adventure of the Seas ® routes you to the farthest corner of the Caribbean for some of its best beaches. Sailing on the Adventure of the Seas ® for eight nights from Port Canaveral, you'll stop in ports such as Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curaçao; and Kralendijk, Bonaire. Each port will welcome you with easily accessible, powdery sand beaches primed for world-class swimming, snorkeling and diving. You'll have your pick of 86 dive sites at Bonaire National Marine Park with more than 350 recorded fish species known to frequent the waters.

3. Best For A European Adventure

Transatlantic sailings make for such a special vacation, and this 13-night Transatlantic Azores itinerary on Adventure of the Seas ® packs four remarkable ports into the crossing. You'll cruise the Atlantic for the first nine days, living it up on a ship that is packed with ways to play and relax. You'll arrive in idyllic Tenerife in the Canary Islands on the tenth day. Immerse yourself in the local Spanish culture by spending part of your day exploring the Museum of Nature and Archaeology or the Basilica de Candelaria shrine. The cruise continues to Lanzarote, Canary Islands, where picture-perfect colonial mansions line cobblestone streets, then on to the adventurous mountain island of Madeira, Portugal before completing your journey in the charming streets of Lisbon, Portugal.

4. Best For Private Island Getaways

This unique Port Canaveral cruise itinerary  to Bermuda and Perfect Day at CocoCay on Adventure of the Seas ® visits both of Royal Caribbean's private destinations, where paradise is just steps away from the ship. On an eight-night journey, this ship will first cruise to Labadee, the cruise line's private peninsula adventure park and beach. Soak up this private spot by relaxing on the beach, enjoy the destination's signature cocktail specialty, the Labadoozie (a fruity rum cocktail) or opt for a zip line ride that will send you soaring over the ocean. The next private island destination is Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's oasis in The Bahamas. Here you'll port within short distance of pristine beaches, a thrilling water park and countless ways to unwind beneath the palm trees. There's also a stop in Bermuda, home to pink-sand beaches and rum swizzles.

5. Best For Foodies

Foodies will delight in fresh, authentic Caribbean dishes on this itinerary to the Western Caribbean and Perfect Day at CocoCay on Wonder of the Seas ® . In Cozumel, Mexico you'll find lunch specialties featuring locally caught seafood, often grouper and red snapper fried on a plate with rice and a vibrant salad. In Roatán, Honduras, ceviche is the local favorite, along with fried plantains and baleadas — tacos made with soft flour tortillas. The ship's final port is Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico, a charming fishing village where the salbutes  (fried corn tortillas topped with shredded chicken) make a great appetizer to the catch of the day, served hot off the grill.

6. Best For Variety

This seven-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary  on Wonder of the Seas ® is a top choice if you want to change things up and go on a unique adventure in each port. Your first destination is Philipsburg, St. Maarten, where you can tour the island on an ATV, sample rum from a local distillery or end the day with a sunset horseback ride on the beach. When the ship arrives in the U.S. Virgin Islands at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, head straight to Magens Bay, often short-listed as one of the world's most beautiful beaches. Or dive into a snorkeling tour to get face time with some sea turtles and coral reefs. On your final stop, Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay, everyone in your group can enjoy a seemingly endless array of activities. If the beach is calling, grab a spot on one of the many cushy beach loungers close to a bar serving up island cocktails that go great with the ocean view. For the adventurous ones, Daredevil's Peak® waterslide is North America's tallest and promises an adrenaline rush.

Encompassing ports of paradise and incredible culture, Orlando cruises are the ideal vacation getaway. Start planning your island escape from Port Canaveral now .

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This is one of the world's most isolated islands. Despite being in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and far from any continent, Rapa Nui (or Easter Island ) was home to one of the most fascinating civilisations in history. Nearly 900 moai — huge iconic statues found on the island — are its most remarkable legacy. In the 21st century, visiting Easter Island remains one of the surprising trips you can take. 

All about cruises Easter Island

Polynesia and Easter Island

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Must-Sees - Easter Island

For keen travellers, exploring this place is the dream. Easter Island piques curiosity and fascinates visitors. Almost 900 moai (giant iconic statues) populate the island whose native name is Rapa Nui . Many of them invite reflection. Pause for a few minutes and understand this faraway culture a little bette.

The Essentials - Easter Island

What do we really know about Easter Island ? All the mysteries around the moai and the history of a people believed to be extinct attract visitors annually from all over the world. Here are the beginnings of some answers.

Explore Easter Island

The islands of Chile and Argentina on the edge of the oceans

Admire the Ahu Akivi moai facing the ocean

There are seven of them. Seven watchmen monitoring the horizon. The inland Ahu Akivi is the only place on Easter Island where the moai face the ocean. Arranged next to each other, these four-metre statues watch over the island. Each weighs about 12 tonnes. These huge statues represent ancestors or the most important kings. They were supposed to protect locals and make them prosperous.

Visit peaceful Hanga Roa

Hanga Roa is the capital of Easter Island. The only urban centre on Rapa Nui , in the south of its western side, this village is where most of the island's population (7,000) lives. A lovely time can be had walking around the little Hanga Roa Otai fishing port or visiting Santa Cruz Church (the only Catholic building on the island). Built in 1937, it is decorated with superb wooden sculptures. Nearby, the artisan market is the place to unearth a typical souvenir made by the island's craftspeople. In the middle of the town, facing the ocean, Vare Vare Park provides some green space in which to relax.

Explore Ahu Tahai

During a stop on Hanga Roa, you absolutely must visit one of Easter Island's most impressive archaeological sites: Ahu Tahai . It contains three ahu: ceremonial platforms made of the island's volcanic rock. Ahu Ko Te Riku is noteworthy with its statue featuring white stone eyes. Ahu Vai Ure stands out for its five moai in a line with their backs to the shore. The solitary Ahu Tahai moai is 4.5 metres tall. This is a place you must visit to learn about history and enjoy exceptional scenery at the same time!

Visit Orongo ceremonial village

You have to imagine the panorama to understand the feel of this place. On one side there are the slopes of Ranu Kao volcano ; on the other, a towering cliff plunging in to the Pacific Ocean. The ceremonial village of Orongo sits between them. Camped out on the southern tip of Easter Island, the 53 little stone houses that make up this hamlet evoke a time when Rapa Nui clan chiefs came together to choose their religious leader.

Discover the marvels of the island's eastern region

To admire the island's biggest ceremonial platform, Ahu Tongariki, you have to go east. It has 15 moais standing side by side, including the heaviest on the island which weighs 86 tonnes. Partly destroyed in a 1960 tsunami, in 1990 the ahu was rebuilt exactly as it was. With its 15 giants, this is one of the iconic sites to which travellers often come from half a world away. The dormant Rano Raraku volcano is nearby. This site has incredible and legendary natural scenery. Its crater protected by 200-metre-tall walls contains a natural reservoir and was used as a quarry for moai building. An estimated 95% of moais were sculpted here. 394 in various states of completion can still be seen today.

Unique features

The Sebastian Englert Museum in Hanga Roa is home to one of the 12 female moai found on Easter Island. Discovered in 1956 by Thor Heyerdahl, the torso was exhibited alone in Oslo until the head was found in 1988. The body was then taken back to its native land so the statue could be complete.

Essential phrases

Although Rapanui is still spoken a little, Spanish is the most common language on Easter Island.

Hello/Good evening: Buenos días/Buenas noches Goodbye: Hasta luego Welcome: Bienvenido Thank you: Gracias Yes/No: Sí/No How are you?: Cómo estás? Very well, thanks, and you?: Bakan, muchas gracias y tú? My name is...: Yo me llamo

Ceviche and fresh but unchanging fish are the cornerstones of the local cuisine. Most fruit and vegetables are imported. However, the delicious and sweet little pineapples you find on Easter Island are scrumptious.

Myths and legends

Some historians say that the first Easter Island inhabitants came from Indonesia. But legend has it that the first man to arrive here was the Polynesian king Hotu Matua . Chased from the Marquesas Islands, he landed on Rapa Nui in the year 500, having first sent his seven sons over as scouts. The boys were then represented by the seven moai facing the ocean at Ahu Akivi .

In the spotlight

Since the rongorongo glyph system was discovered in 1864 on Easter Island by the missionary Eugène Eyraud, it has never been deciphered. However, we do know that tablets were read from left to right, starting at the bottom. Some symbols are reminiscent of traditional Polynesian genealogical hymns. A lunar calendar has also been deciphered.

Books. Thor Hyerdahl was a Norwegian explorer famous for crossing the Pacific between Peru and the Tuamotus in 1947 on-board a perilous dinghy. His book Aku-Aku - The Secret of Easter Island is an adventure classic. This autobiographical narrative traces the stages of the first archaeological expedition conducted on the island in 1955. More than a chronicle of a scientific mission, the text tells of the concern the last Pascuans felt about the Europeans and how they wanted to keep their culture secret: a culture that had flourished for centuries without any other influence.

Music. Most Rapa Nui dances are Polynesian in origin, like the sau-sau from Samoa and the ula-ula and tamuré from Tahiti. The first two are characterised by wave-like hip and arm movements, while the third is mainly danced by men who perform spectacular acrobatics reminiscent of war dances.

Film. Too often, it is assumed that the people behind the moai have died out. However, those who believe this don't know Rapa Nui's contemporary history. The documentary L’Histoire cachée de l’île de Pâques (The Hidden Story of Easter Island) ((France Ô and Virginie Adoutte, 2014) shows how the 400 Rapa Nui people were confined behind barbed wire after the arrival of the Chileans in 1888, penning them in the equivalent of 6% of the territory. The rest was allocated to intensive sheep farming and operated by a private company. For some of them, the only way out was to flee on pirogue canoes to try and reach Tahiti over 4,000 kilometres away. Their story is told here for the first time.

Facts and figures

Easter Island is the remotest inhabited island on the planet. It is 3,700 kilometres off the coast of Chile.

• Adamstown, Pitcairn Island (Pitcairn)
• Anaa, Tuamotu Islands (French Polynesia)
• Bora Bora, Society Islands (French Polynesia)
• Hanga Roa, Easter Island (Chile)
• Moorea Island (French Polynesia)
• Papeete, Tahiti Island (French Polynesia)
• Rikitea, Gambier Islands (French Polynesia)

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