Papa Vaka Petroglyphs

Papa Vaka is a coastal basalt rock face on Easter Island's north coast covered in pre-Columbian petroglyphs depicting fish, sharks, turtles, octopuses, and sailing canoes. The site takes its name from the Rapanui words for "canoe rock." The carvings reflect the island's maritime Polynesian heritage and are remarkably well-preserved. A short walk from the road leads to the site; the setting — low coastal rocks with the open Pacific beyond — is atmospheric.