Rapa Nui Stargazing Tour: Learn Polynesian Voyage History and Archeo-Astronomy

Embark on a Rapa Nui Stargazing Tour and delve into the history of Polynesian voyaging and settlement. Discover the archeo-astronomy of Rapa Nui while gazing at the Southern Hemisphere’s unique stars and constellations.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Anakena Beach - Travelers are welcomed in front of the Katipare Library (Centro Lector Katipare) between 20:30 and 21:00 during the summer, and from 19:30 to 20:00 in the winter. The tour includes exclusive nighttime access to Ahu Nau, which is the final stop. Before heading to Anakena, telescopes are set up at a secluded location. A hot beverage…
What's Included
  • Small-group tour (max 12 people)
  • Hotel Drop-off
  • Guide / Driver
  • Live commentary on board
Additional Information

Explore the fundamentals of basic astronomy, delve into the history of Polynesian voyaging and settlement, and discover navigational techniques along with the archeo-astronomy of Rapa Nui. Marvel at the night sky, observing stars and constellations unique to the Southern Hemisphere.
The guide will highlight stars and constellations significant to…

Location
Katipare
We meet travelers in front of Katipare library and we drop them off at their lodging at the end of the tour. Meeting time changes throughout the year, but it is usually around sunset time (7pm winter - 9pm summer)
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.5
(32 Ratings)
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Jeanne_s
Feb 1, 2026
Saw the milky way and more - This was a great experience. The sky was beautiful that night and we saw the milky way. The leader gave a talk about navigation using the stars. We enjoyed looking thru the telescopes and seeing the moon and planets. A nice hot choccolate and cake snack was provided. We also went to see Moai and had photoes taken.
Review provided by Viator
Nigelawy
Jan 17, 2026
Star gazing on Easter Island - Trip was confirmed a few hours to check for weather and we were picked up in the middle of town at Katipare. The pick up was prompt and it was a relatively manageable group of less than 15. We went to two locations, one where we sat on camping chairs to hear the explanations and sip hot chocolate, viewed the stars and planets through telescope and another where our pictures were taken by the Moais. After the whole experience, we were shuttled back to our respective hotel location. Will recommend to bring jacket as it might be quite cold and windy at night and to book your accommodations nearer to the town centre so that you can walk down to the meeting place. Looking forward to the pictures!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tatiana
Jan 15, 2026
Unforgettable experience! - Marc is an excellent guide. He has a lot of knowledge and clearly loves what he does. The explanations are very cool, and then seeing the stars by the telescope, in a sky like that of Rapa Nui, is amazing. There is a delicious hot chocolate to enjoy and the cherry cake is to take one of the most beautiful photos of your life. I recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tony_s
Dec 11, 2025
Oh Moai!!!!! - 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.
Review provided by Viator
Brian
Dec 11, 2025
Outstanding star gazing tour! Mark and the team made sure it was informative and fun. Highly recommend m! - 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!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Matthewca4867yt
Nov 22, 2025
Great night sky over the island. - 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lori_k
Nov 21, 2025
Highly recommend - 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 ❤️
Review provided by Viator
Thomas_v
Apr 6, 2025
Great experience - 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
Review provided by Viator
768helenen
Dec 24, 2025
A trip to the past - The hotel should be as centrally located as possible, mine was not and the restaurants very remote, that means long walks . The excursions were very well organized, but after 2 full days you saw everything. Unfortunately, my already paid stargazing was cancelled due to too few participants. That Easter Island is expensive does not have to be said.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cmgworek
Feb 8, 2026
No go - Canceled by the provider. It's too bad. They canceled more than 4 hours before the tour was scheduled and had they waited, the sky was completely clear.
Review provided by Viator
From $125
up to 4 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).