Easter Island stargazing tour: Southern Hemisphere constellations

View stars and constellations through a telescope at traditional Rapa Nui observatory sites

A small-group stargazing tour on Easter Island where you learn Polynesian navigation techniques and archeo-astronomy while viewing Southern Hemisphere constellations through a high-powered telescope at remote island sites, finishing at Anakena Beach. The tour meets at Katipare library at 8pm (summer) or 7:30pm (winter), includes a guide in English or Spanish, and accommodates children from age one. Weather-dependent with a free return visit offered if conditions change.

Step-by-step itinerary

Nighttime stargazing and astronomy

• Meet at Katipare library
• Drive to remote telescope site
• Set up telescopes and enjoy hot beverage
• Observe stars and constellations
• Visit Ahu Nau observatory
• Drive to Anakena Beach for photos

The experience

Three and a half hours starting from Katipare library in the center of the island, you'll learn how Polynesian navigators used the night sky to find their way across the ocean and how the people of Rapa Nui built their observatories in alignment with celestial events. Your guide connects the constellations visible only from the Southern Hemisphere to the stories and legends tied to them, then shows you how to locate cardinal points using the layout of stars: techniques that guided settlement across the Pacific.

The tour sets up telescopes at a remote site away from light pollution, where you'll look through high-powered optics at star clusters, nebulae, galaxies and planets before heading to Anakena Beach. There, with the night sky overhead and the beach behind you, you'll have time for photos. Hot beverage and local cake are included. The group stays under twelve people, so you're not competing for views through the scope.

Meeting point is in front of Katipare library. Hotel drop-off is available at the end. The tour runs subject to clear skies. If weather turns while you're out, the operator will offer you a free return visit on another night if availability allows, or a full refund if the tour is canceled before it starts.

What’s included

• Small-group tour with a maximum of twelve people.
• driver and guide providing live commentary in English or Spanish.
• high-powered telescope access.
• hot beverage and local cake.
• hotel drop-off at the end of the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Friday and SaturdayDeparts at 20:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (14 to 80 years) · Child (5 to 13 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years)

GroupUp to 12 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Green Island Tours - Easter Island

Is this one for you?The tour is shared and led by a guide, so you listen and observe rather than operate the telescope yourself: suited to anyone who wants to learn the astronomy and history without needing prior knowledge or equipment of their own. Hotel drop-off is available, though you can also meet at Katipare library if you prefer to arrange your own transport.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 13 years); Infant (1 to 4 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What stars and constellations will I see through the telescope on Easter Island?

The guide points out stars and constellations visible only in the Southern Hemisphere that were significant to Polynesian navigators, along with star clusters, nebulae, galaxies and planets through the high-powered telescope. The specific constellations depend on the season and sky conditions on the night of your tour.

How does the tour connect stargazing to Easter Island's history?

The guide explains archeo-astronomy (how the island's traditional observatory sites were built in relation to celestial events), and teaches Polynesian navigation techniques that linked the night sky to voyaging and settlement across the ocean. The stories and legends tied to the constellations show how these stars guided the people who reached Rapa Nui.

What time does the stargazing tour start, and how long does it last?

The tour meets at 8pm from September to April and at 7:30pm during winter months, lasting three and a half hours total. It ends at Anakena Beach, where you'll have time for photos before hotel drop-off.

What happens if the weather is cloudy on the night of my tour?

The tour is subject to favorable weather conditions. If clouds move in while you're out, the operator will offer a free return visit on another night if availability allows. If the tour is canceled completely before it starts due to poor weather, you'll be notified in advance and offered either an alternative date or a full refund.