Officially this is only at Anakena, where there is a regular camping set-up near the ranger's house. There is no water, campers must bring their own water with them. Some campers have been seen at the ranger's location at the foot of Rano Raraku. Again, bring your own water. Occasionally one also sees campers at other spots around the north coast, or in cave shelters, but these are not approved camping spots, none have water, and, as there are no sanitary facilities, the officials discourage this practice.

In the village, right at the caleta and at the foot of Te Pito te Henua street is a cove that has been modified for swimming (see photo), with a rocky pool for children. A recent development is a bit north from the caleta where another small cove has been modified to make a swimming spot with palms and picnic areas. A public bathroom/changing room is here, between the cove and the road.

Swimming in the crater lakes is not recommended, particularly at Rano Kau, which has a mat of floating (and rotting) vegetation, turning the water black. Islanders sometimes swim at various spots along the south coast, but this is very rocky and can be dangerous.

Six hotels on the island have swimming pools. These are available to guests only.

Surfing

Surfers mostly focus their activities just off the caleta where a nice set of waves is fairly consistent. More advanced surfers sometimes surf off Tahai, north of the village; however, there is no beach area there, only jagged lava rocks. It can be dangerous. The largest swells come along the south coast in wintertime; these huge breakers build up, coming all the way from Antarctica, and are impressive (and dangerous). Again, they pound against the jagged lava shoreline. Not for the amateur or faint of heart.

Horseback Riding

You can rent a horse from just about anyone on the island. The trick is to get a really good animal and a real saddle, not the homemade type that can be very painful on the posterior.

The problem: Not many islanders are willing to rent their good horses and not many have real saddles. It would be wise to see the beast before agreeing to rent it. The island's livestock are in bad shape, generally. There is not enough feed or water for the number of animals and many are malnourished. Worse, they are being poisoned by eating a plant that was introduced to the island about twenty years ago to help stop erosion. This is "rattlepod" (called "Cho-Cho" on the island or known by its scientific name Crotalaria). The seeds contain a toxin that causes serious liver damage and death. About 20% of privately owned horses have died of this syndrome since 1984. Due to the cost of shipping, feed is not brought to the island, so the animals are left with no alternate but to browse these poisonous plants.

Fishing

Island fishermen go out in their small boats to fish for tuna and other sea creatures and will take tourists along for a price. They use only lines and sinkers, not fishing poles. If this interests you, make sure the boat has a lifejacket. Not all do. Some islanders, particularly the younger, fish off the rocks. This can be very dangerous, as the rocks are extremely sharp and the surf unpredictable.

You can also hire a fisherman and his boat to take a ride to view the island from the sea, or take a closer look at Motu Nui and the other islets off the southwest coast. These islets are nature preserves.

Scuba

Scuba diving is best out near the "motu" that are off the southwest corner of the island. There is a dive shop at the caleta, or ask around for Michel or Henri Garcia, who have diving equipment. It is expensive to hire the equipment and boat, but those who have been down off into the depths just off Motu Nui are ecstatic about the experience.

See also our Underwater Marine Life page.

Spectator & Other Sports

Spectator sports can be enjoyed during the Tapati festival, in early February. There are boat races, horse races, swimming contests, spear fishing contests, the "haka pe'i" contest, statue carving contest, body painting contest, kai-kai (string figures) contest, dancing competitions, etc. The festival lasts two weeks (but some have lasted only one week; this is a movable feast). During Tapati, islanders party-hearty, and little else gets done.

(Haka pe'i: this is an ancient Rapa Nui sporting event that involves sliding down a steep hill on banana stalks. Competitors wear body paint and feathers, plus a tiny "hami" (g-string). The winner is the one who stays on his banana stalk clear to the bottom. This "sport" is organized mayhem, with broken bones a common result when the competitors are thrown off their sleds and go careening over the rocky hillside.)

See also our Tapati page.

The one tennis court on the island is at the Hotel Iorana, in Mataveri (just south of Hangaroa). The court has a low shoulder-high fence around it.

Spelunking

Spelunkers have lots of choices of caves to explore. Parts of the island are like Swiss cheese, with caves formed by lava tubes during the island's volcanic past meandering underground. None are particularly deep, but do extend for some distance. Just about any local youth can point these out to visitors. Please leave all caves and their contents undisturbed. Die hard spelunkers universally resist the urge to collect samples or artifacts.

Partying

There are three discos on the island. They generally are open from Thursday through Saturday nights, crank up around midnight, and run until morning. You will not have trouble finding the discos; just follow the noise. This is the place for party animals. There is music (usually tapes and CDs from the US), dancing, and lots of drinking. Avoid fights with inebriated Rapanui guys.

The discos serve beer, pisco (Chilean fire-water — a very potent grape brandy) and Coca Cola. They often mix the Coca Cola with the pisco to make a thoroughly disgusting beverage (an opinion not shared by those who drink it).

Not Available

The following are a sampling of sports/activities which are not available on the island: flying, hunting, trapping, butterfly catching, salvaging, bird watching, bowling, golf, dare devil sports, paint balling, power sailing, shell collecting, fruit and vegetable picking, mountain climbing, bungie jumping, hay rides, etc.

Once on the island, you are pretty much on your own. Any sport or activity that may involve altering the environment or collecting specimens, is strictly forbidden. Take nothing but pictures; leave nothing but footprints.