About this place
White coral sand, calm swimming, and the restored Ahu Nau Nau moai on the north coast.
Anakena is the postcard beach of Rapa Nui: one of the island’s few natural sandy coves, framed by palms and turquoise water. Behind the sand rises Ahu Nau Nau, where seven moai were re-erected—several still wear their red scoria pukao (topknots). Oral tradition links the bay to Hotu Matu’a and the island’s settlement story, so the site blends archaeology, swimming, and local identity in one stop.
What you’ll see
Ahu Nau Nau’s moai were buried in sand for centuries, which helped preserve delicate carvings on some figures. Nearby, a smaller ahu (Ahu Ature Huki) holds a moai famously re-erected by Thor Heyerdahl’s team in 1956—useful context for how modern restoration shaped today’s skyline.
The beach itself is family-friendly when seas are calm; currents can strengthen after storms, so use common sense before swimming.
Why it matters
Anakena anchors the island’s north coast narrative: a rare coastal flat where chiefly monuments and everyday beach life overlap. It also illustrates how Rapa Nui communities balance conservation, tourism, and living memory around iconic moai.