Although it is not exactly well known, remote pink Ovahe Beach on Easter Island is actually more like a small cove than a beach — and it can be quite private if one is looking to experience the cold waters of the southern Pacific Ocean.
Remote Pink Ovahe Beach on Easter Island
On a day with bright sunshine, the sand of the beach is actually a pinkish color, which is surrounded by reddish cliff rock walls that lend to its serene privacy and quiet — save for the crashing of the waves from the Pacific Ocean. Otherwise, the sand is more of a tan with a tint of pink to it.
Weekends may tend to be somewhat more crowded than during the week, as Rapanui families prefer to spend the day at Ovahe and escape the tourists — many of whom do not know that Ovahe Beach exists.
The waters are clear enough to be conducive for diving, snorkeling, and fishing — although the waves and currents may be challenging enough at times for swimming and wading to be dangerous; and navigating volcanic rock with bare feet is not advised.
Ovahe Beach is the most abundant place on Easter Island to discover coral — and a wide variety of colorful fish and sea turtles can be found here as well, if you are fortunate enough to spot them.
Printed on a wooden sign are the words mantener distancia y respeto crematorio ancestral, which translates into English as keep distance and respect ancestral crematorium.
Final Boarding Call
Give yourself at least 24 minutes to drive the 17.4 kilometers from Hanga Roa to Ovahe Beach. Plan to spend at least 30 minutes at Ovahe Beach — although you will likely want to stay longer. You can even spend the entire day at Ovahe Beach if you like.
Motor vehicles may be parked free of charge at Ovahe Beach; but no facilities are available.
Ovahe Beach is only 2.1 kilometers — or a drive of only three minutes — northwest from Ahu Te Pito Kura, which is the largest statue ever moved and successfully erected on Easter Island.
Remember that Ovahe Beach is part of Parque Nacional Rapa Nui — which is the national park of Easter Island — and you must present your ticket at the checkpoint prior to entering. You will need to pay $80.00 in United States dollars just for admission into the areas of the national park; and the ticket may be purchased either on arrival at the airport or in the center of town of Hanga Roa, which is the only municipality on Easter Island.
Ensure that you please leave cultural features — as well as natural areas of the island — exactly as you find them during your visit.
Please refer to the Easter Island: Itinerary and Master Guide article — which is still a work in progress — for links to other articles at The Gate With Brian Cohen which pertain to Easter Island.
All photographs ©2019 by Brian Cohen.
