Surf Guide to Easter Island

• Summary

• When to go

• Where to stay

• Getting there

• Safety/Things to know

• Surf spots

Summary

When people think of surfing in the south Pacific, places like Tahiti, Fiji, Tonga and Micronesia are usually on top of everyone’s list. However, Easter Island is one of the most consistent and undiscovered surfing island in the Pacific.

 

Easter Island (Rapa Nui) is a very mysterious place for many reasons but one thing became absolutely undeniable through the years…The surf here is nothing less than amazing. It is believed that the first people to practice the sport here were the Polynesians back in 1200 AD using hand-crafted rafts.

 

Since then, the sport obviously evolved a lot, but the island remains very raw and unique. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and less than 8,000 people live on Easter Island. Everyone has seen some of the 887 amazingly huge statues, called Moai, which were carved by the Polynesians in the 12th century. However, people are starting to visit Easter Island for other reasons than to see those mysterious stones…and surfing is one big reason.

 

Being strategically positioned in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Easter Island is a swell magnet. It is such a small island that it is very easy to go from side to side depending on the wind or swell direction. On any given day, there will be a decent place to surf, that’s for sure.

 

The best surf spots are located on the West and South sides of Easter Island but there are many breaks to be discovered all around the island. Hanga Roa is Easter Island’s capital city and this is where most travelers will be based on a trip to Rapa Nui.

 

Most spots are shallow reef breaks and waves can be insanely powerful.

 

 

When to go

The best time to surf Easter Island, Chile is from October to April which is during the Austral summer. However, even over winter, swells roll into Rapa Nui and waves are to be found anytime of the year.

 

 

 

Where to stay on Easter Island

 

Getting there

The only way into Easter Island is by air with the main international airport being in Hanga Roa. It is a 6-hour flight from Santiago, Chile’s capital city. Flights also depart from Papeete, Tahiti on a weekly basis.

 

Safety/things to know

-Hiring a car is the best option to get around as there is no official public transportation.
-Low crime rate
-Most waves are breaking over volcanic rocks.

 

Surf spots on Easter Island

Papa Hanga Roa

Located close to the harbor, this break is one of the few spots on the island where beginners will want to head out to. A nice and mellow reef break working very consistently.

Wave direction : Right and left
Bottom : Reef
Best tide : Mid to high
Skill level : Any
Optimal swell direction : SW to NW
Optimal wind direction : E

 

 

Pea Beach

Another good option for surfers of all skill levels is Pea Bay which offers nice rollers.

Wave direction : Right and left
Bottom : Reef
Best tide : Mid to high
Skill level : Any
Optimal swell direction : SW to NW
Optimal wind direction : E

 

 

Motu Hava

Also located in the heart of Hanga Roa, this reef break is another consistent wave. Works better on the SW and on a reasonable swell, beginners can have fun without a problem.

Wave direction : Right and left
Bottom : Reef
Best tide : Mid to high
Skill level : Any
Optimal swell direction : SW
Optimal wind direction : S

 

 

Hang Nui

A very exposed reef break located on Easter Island’s south side. Works only on the winter southern swells. Powerful wave breaking right and left.

Wave direction : Right and left
Bottom : Reef
Best tide : Any
Skill level : Advanced
Optimal swell direction : S
Optimal wind direction : N

 

 

Mataveri

A world-class point break producing hollow and powerful lefts. Should be kept for experienced surfers even on smaller days. 

Wave direction : Left
Bottom : Reef
Best tide : Mid to high
Skill level : Advanced
Optimal swell direction : SW
Optimal wind direction : E