Easter Island (Rapa Nui) vs Juan Fernández Islands — Dive Destination Comparison
Easter Island (Rapa Nui) (Chile) scores 64.0/100 vs Juan Fernández Islands's 54.3/100 in OkToDive's 12-category rating. Choose Easter Island (Rapa Nui) for wall diving with 30–60m visibility. Choose Juan Fernández Islands for reef diving at ~$180/dive.
Last updated: 2026-07-22
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Easter Island (Rapa Nui) | Juan Fernández Islands |
|---|---|---|
| OkToDive Score | 64.0/100 | 54.3/100 |
| Country | Chile | Chile |
| Visibility | 30--60m | 15--30m |
| Water temp | 20--26 C | 13--20 C |
| Max depth | 50m | 35m |
| Current | moderate | moderate |
| Cost per 2-tank dive | $150 | $180 |
| Budget tier | mid range | luxury |
| Best months | January, February, March | November, December, January |
| Dive types | wall, cave, reef, drift | reef, wall, cave |
| Min certification | Open Water | Advanced Open Water |
| Key species | Easter Island butterfly fish, Rapa Nui scorpionfish, green turtle | Juan Fernández fur seal, Juan Fernández lobster, endemic reef fish |
| Google rating | 4.7 (120 reviews) | 4.7 (28 reviews) |
Which should you choose?
Choose Easter Island (Rapa Nui) when...
- + Experienced drift divers comfortable in current
- + Wide-angle photographers wanting crystal visibility
- + Couples where one partner doesn't dive
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You need shore access — this is boat-only
Choose Juan Fernández Islands when...
- + Divers who prioritize reef diving
- + Anyone visiting South America for the first time
- + Groups seeking 10+ named dive sites in one area
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You're on a tight budget — avg $180/dive
- - You hate cold water — temps drop to 13°C
Bottom line
Easter Island (Rapa Nui) wins on overall score (64.0 vs 54.3), but the right choice depends on your priorities. Easter Island (Rapa Nui) is more affordable ($150 vs $180/dive). Easter Island (Rapa Nui) has better peak visibility (60m vs 30m).