The Moai statues were undeniably one of the biggest highlights of my trip to Easter Island. Each site offered a unique glimpse into the island’s rich history and cultural significance. Here’s my ranking of the top five Moai sites I visited:
- Ahu Tongariki: As the largest ceremonial platform on the island, Ahu Tongariki boasts 15 restored Moai statues standing in a row. This site tops the list with its sheer scale.
- “The Butt Moai”: Technically also in Rano Raraku, I separated this one into its own category because it was totally unique from all the others. Perhaps it would be more accurate to call it the sitting moai as it is the only one on the island to be sitting down, making it a unique sight.
- Rano Raraku: This volcanic crater served as the main quarry for the Moai statue. Walking among the hundreds of statues in various stages of completion, some still embedded in the rock, was easily the most scenic of the different sites
- The Restored Moai: The moai had gone through quite a bit over the course of the last centuries, leaving most of them in states of disrepair. With this in mind it was very interesting to see one almost fully restored to how it would have been back in it’s prime. The eyes in particular a huge difference to the standard moai.
- Ahu Akivi: Unique among the Moai sites, Ahu Akivi’s seven statues face the ocean, unlike others that face inland. However outside of this fact it did not feel too special compared to a lot of the other sites we saw.
Each of these sites provided a distinct perspective on the Moai and enriched my understanding of Easter Island’s profound cultural landscape.