Anakena Beach

Anakena is a bay of white coral sand on the northern coast, the only substantial beach on an island whose shore is otherwise volcanic rock, and oral tradition names it as the landing place of Hotu Matu'a, the first settler king. Behind the sand stand two platforms: Ahu Nau Nau, with seven moai, several of them still wearing their red scoria pukao topknots and carved with designs on their backs, and Ahu Ature Huki with a single figure that was the first moai ever re-erected, raised by islanders with Thor Heyerdahl's expedition in 1956. The coconut palms behind the beach were planted in the 1960s and are not native.

What you actually see

• The island's only sand beach - white coral sand on a rock coast.
• The traditional landing place - of Hotu Matu'a, by oral history.
• Ahu Nau Nau with seven moai - several still wearing pukao.
• The first moai re-erected - raised in 1956 with Heyerdahl's expedition.

When to go

Year round; the island's climate is mild all year. Half a day.

Honest expectations

The palms are an introduction, not an original landscape. Approaching the platforms is prohibited and the sand in front of them is roped. The beach is busy at weekends with islanders. Facilities are a few food stands.

Nearby

Ahu Tongariki is on the eastern coast; Hanga Roa is south.