Easter Island lacks continuous coral reefs which has led to jagged, dangerous cliffs and rock formations around the perimeter of the island. The dangerous cliffs make landing ships on the island a treacherous task and one of the supply freighters from the mainland crashed and sank in 1999. I was on my way to Rano Kau when I stopped to peer over the cliffs at the coast below. It was fascinating to watch the waves crash with such power, sending foam and spray gushing over the black rocks.