It's easy to imagine life here when the structures were being erected. While you can visit the site independently, an expert guide will bring the experience to life. The location on the ocean is breathtaking on sunny days. Some days locals set-up tables near the parking lot and sell handicrafts and carvings. We visited twice and each time found something new and amazing.
Ahu Tahai has the distinct advantage of being one of the closest Moai sites to the town center in Hanga Roa. Less than 10 minutes walk from the center, you get a wonderful encounter with the Moai. These are inward facing Moai backing the sea. They are literally on the coastline. Sunset views from here are spectacular. Picture perfect postcard photographs. You will keep coming back for more because you just can't get enough. This is a MUST-SEE. Most highly recommended.
Four Moai on the left, one in the center and one with eyes on the right with a nice entry to the ocean in the middle. Always a great sight and interesting. You can get ferry close, but not onto the shared ground. All face inland as usual except for the seven. The site was reconstructed and continues to amaze.
A riveting display of highly detailed Moai atop their Ahu accompanied by a beautiful ocean beach. One of my favorite Ahu's on the Island for sure. You can even see the tattoos on the backs of the Moai's here and several have top knots.
These Moai are located just a kilometer or two outside the outskirts of town. The Moai are standing and some painted. While the views are great and many people come here for sunset the best photos are mid morning. The Moai here are facing inwards so a sunset photo will only show a dark outline of the Moai. Still it is a sight to see and relaxing during sunset. You will not be secluded here at sunset. There are some local vendors selling souvenirs at times. To get here you can drive to a lot at the top of this space or you can walk a trail that comes to past the cemetery to the Ahu Tahai.
This is not the site with the larger number of restored moai but you can see how they might have looked. It's very much worth a visit - try to go at sunrise or sunset to see how the light impacts the views.
Review with photos: http://shrimp2.pixnet.net/blog/post/105929531Ahu Tahai is very close to Honga Roa, around 15 min walk.You could get an amazing sunset photos. Recommend that you may come here around 6pm, then see these moais when the sun goes down. Also you could purchase some drinks in Hanga Roa then cheers with Ahu Tahai.Oh, keep the trash off the groud :)
it's very close to Hanga Roa and offered us the first look at Easter Island's world famous moai. You can do a fair amount of walking here. You can never get right up against the statues (anywhere). The boundaries are clearly market and must be observed.
Interesting Ahu because they have put dummy eyes into one of the Moai so you can see how they would have looked on special occasions - probably a bit scary.
It was as if the place was deserted apart from us. We had the place to ourselves. Bright sunshine and perfect lighting for photography. We arrived at about 9:45am. We had joined a tour and although within walking distance of our hotel, this was the right choice as our guide added much more info and knowledge that I had found searching web sites and guide books. A perfect place to visit