For boats
One of the
most isolated islands in the world. Lying at the south-eastern point of the Polynesia, 2000 miles away from South American coast and 1200 miles from the nearest
neighbour - Pitcairn.
Easter
Island or Isla de Pascua, belongs to Chile
and is also known by its Polynesian name Rapa Nui.
There is
good protection inside the small harbour at Hanga Piko, on the west coast, but
access is difficult, and a pilot is compulsory for entering / leaving this
harbor. Armada allow for berthing inside the harbor only in emergency situation
(it is not easy to get the permission). The pilot service cost about $US100.
In most
cases you have to drop the anchor in face of the city and another small harbor
(to small for yachts but perfect for dinghy landing). This anchorage is open
but sheltered from the prevailing NE-E-SE winds. If the wind turns and the
swell come you need to change your anchorage place to opposite side of the
island (Anakena Bay or Huituiti in the east). Swell could
be a problem in all these anchorages.
Approximately
30 yachts visit Easter Island every year (most
of them between January and April).
Anchoring:
There is
few point on the edge of the reef. You have to drop the anchor outside of this
line:
1. 27deg 08’
49,4”
S 109deg 26’ 20,8” W
2. 27deg 08’
45,2”
S 109deg 26’ 20,2” W
3. 27deg 08’
42,3”
S 109deg 26’ 13,5” W
4. 27deg 08’
40,7”
S 109deg 26’ 09,2” W
5. 27deg 08’
37,6”
S 109deg 26’ 07,5” W
When we
were visiting Hanga Roa we drop the anchor at 27 08.689S and 109 26.291W (depth
about 27 m).
The bottom is sand and anchor hold good.
There is
few small buoys for divers, do not moor there or close to them.
Formalities
Call Isla
de Pascua on VHF CH16 before arriving and ask for permission to drop the
anchor.
Visit
Armada the Chile
located in complex of buildings on the right (SE) of the town. Take the boat
papers and passports. If you are entering or leaving the Chile all crew
have to go (immigration).
If
immigration, customs or agriculture service is needed will be organize by
Armada. They are friendly, helpful and some speak a little English.
Yachts traveling
from Chile
with a Zarpe generally have to visit only Armada (by captain).
For more
instruction about check in call Isla de Pascua Radio / Pascua radio/ (Armada)
by radio.
Dinghy
landing:
Landing the
dinghy in Hanga Roa can be difficult if there is a big swell. There is a small
and shallow basin, protected by a breakwater, which is used by the fishing
boats and dives company. The route to the harbor is between to shallows with
some rocks and surf waves. Inside the basin there is enough place to get
in/out, and usually no big waves.
Fuel:
Available
on petrol station located near the airport (SE part of the Hanga Roa). It’s
about 1.5km from the dinghy landing point, use a car to transport your jerry
cans.
You can
also talk with local fisher men’s, they can arrange a delivery directly to the
boat with extra payment.
Water:
There are
few taps with fresh water located in two dive centers located in small harbor.
Ask there for water, use your cans.
Gas:
Refilling
your gas bottles could be a problem, you can buy a 6.5kg bottles in the shop
near the airport.
Groceries
There are
many mini markets in the town. Please note that products are limited and the
prices are very high.
Internet
There are 2
internet points – Te Pito O Te
Henua street and Atamu Tekena street. 1hr WiFi cost 1000 pesos. There are some computers
available. The internet works not to fast.
For crews
Easter Island is one of the mysterious places
in the world. It’s fascinating history and Moai statues are worth to sail off
main routs and visit this magnificent place.
Tourism,
fishing, agriculture and on-going archeological studies are the primary
activities of the island.
Hanga Roa
is the only town on island with about 3500 inhabitants.
There is a
airport with connections to / from Papeete and Santiago.
Tourist
information is located 100
meters right from landing point. There you can get a map
and all information you need – stuff speaks English.
There is no
problem to rent a car / scooter or bike. Sightseeing by bike could be challenge
because of many hills and strong winds.
Places
‘must see’ are: Rano Kau (volcano crater), Rano Raraku (volcano crater and many
Moai), Ahu Tongariki (biggest Moai standing statues), Anakena Bay
(beautyfull sandy beach with Moai) and Tahai (Moai on the edge of Hanga Roa –
visit it during the sunset). There are much more places worth to visit if you
have enough time. All information and the map you can get at tourist
information office.
Most of the
island is National Park. To enter there (and to enter to the most attractions)
a ticket is needed. You can buy it only in one place – Conaf office, located on
the other side of the airport, on the way to Rano Kau. Take a taxi or go there
by car / scooter, bike. The price is 30.000 pesos or 60USD. Only cash (no
credit card accepted).
The ticket
is valid for 5 days, and could be checked by stuff on entering to the
attractions.
There are many
restaurants and bars in Hanga Roa, but the prices are high.
Some of
restaurants organize a special Polynesian show with playing songs and dancing,
worth to visit – price about 20.000 pesos (without meat) or 40.000-50.000 pesos
(with meal).
There is a
post office (correros) where you can sent your post cards and do a occasional
stamp in your passport.
Fees
Anchoring – free of charge
Fee for light houses and buoys about 10USD (payment in Armada if you are entering / leaving Chile)
Fuel – about 550 pesos (Jun 20016)
Rent a car – from 45.000 pesos
Rent a scooter – from 20.000 pesos
Rent a bike – from 10.000 pessos
Ticket to National Park – 30.000 pesos
Polynesian show - about 20.000 pesos (without meat) or 40.000-50.000 pesos (with meal)
Wifi – 1000 pesos /1 hr