Motu Iti (Rapa Nui)

Island Small islet off Rapa Nui with birdlife

Motu Iti is a small islet off Rapa Nui (Easter Island); day trips and boat excursions bring visitors for coastal scenery, seabird life and the volcanic shoreline around the island.

Motu Iti is a small uninhabited islet associated with Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in the southeastern Pacific Ocean and administered as part of Chile’s Valparaíso Region. It is one of several offshore islets that form part of the island group’s maritime landscape.

The islet is notable for its isolation and for seabird habitat; it has no permanent settlement and is visited mainly by researchers or tour boats operating from Rapa Nui. There are no developed visitor facilities on Motu Iti.

Motu Iti lies off the coast of Easter Island (Rapa Nui), within the maritime zone of the island and the Rapa Nui National Park buffer; access is by small boat from the main island.

Access and wildlife: Uninhabited islet status and seabird colonies mean visits are typically by boat and primarily of interest to naturalists and guided tours.

How to Get to Motu Iti (Rapa Nui) #

Motu Iti is a small islet off Rapa Nui (Easter Island). To get there you must first fly to Mataveri Airport (IPC) on Easter Island (flights mainly from Santiago, Chile), proceed to Hanga Roa (the island’s main town and harbour), and join a local boat excursion or hire a boat from Hanga Roa harbour to visit or view the motu. Boat departures and guided trips to offshore islets are organised from Hanga Roa; road access on Rapa Nui is via the island’s main roads into Hanga Roa.

Tips for Visiting Motu Iti (Rapa Nui) #

Plan to view Motu Iti from a licensed boat tour rather than assuming a shore landing: the islets around Rapa Nui are within the national park and landings are regulated by the park authority (CONAF).
Book a morning boat trip when seas tend to be calmer and wildlife (seabirds and marine mammals) are more active, improving chances for close but responsible viewing.
Respect conservation rules and local guidance: keep distance from nesting birds/shoreline, follow your guide's instructions, and confirm any landing permits with park authorities before attempting to go ashore.

Best Time to Visit Motu Iti (Rapa Nui) #

For Motu Iti and nearby Rapa Nui sites, the warmest, busiest period is Dec-Feb (high season); shoulder months offer milder crowds and pleasant weather.

Southern summer / high season

Dec-Feb · 22-28°C

Warmer, calmer seas and the island's highest visitor numbers on Easter Island-February also hosts the Tapati festival on Rapa Nui, increasing local activity.

Southern winter

Jun-Aug · 18-22°C

Cooler and windier with fewer visitors-good if you prefer lower tourist numbers but conditions can be rougher on the water.

Shoulder seasons

Mar-May & Sep-Nov · 19-25°C

Mild conditions and generally fewer crowds-good balance of weather and quieter visits to small islets like Motu Iti.