MARQUESAS

Hiva Oa Nuku Hiva

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Some information in this page are courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme.

The Marquesas or "Fenua Enana" or "Henua Enata" (Land of Men) as the Marquesans call their islands are located about 1500 km North-East of Tahiti, near the Equator (between 7 and 10 degrees latitude South and 138 to 141 degrees longitude West).
Spread over a superficy of 1300 km2, the 12 islands are separated in 2 groups: the North Marquesas and the South Marquesas.

Among the North Marquesas islands, those inhabited are: Nuku Hiva (330 km2, administrative and economic center of the archipelago), Ua Pou(100 km2), Ua Huka(77 km2).
The islands of Hatu Iti, Eiao, Hatutaa and Motu One are uninhabited.
Among the South Marquesas islands, those inhabited are: Hiva Oa(320 km2), Tahuata(50 km2) and Fatu Hiva (80 km2).
The islands of Mohotani, Fatu Huku, Terihi and Motu Nao are deserted.
Spectacular, wild and rugged, these islands have no lagoons, with impressive cliffs dominating the ocean.
Homeland of the Maori settling of the Polynesian Triangle, originating from the Samoa and Tonga, towards the other Polynesian archipelagos, the Marquesas still remember their past with the presence of their Tikis. Both Easter Island and Hawaii were colonized from here (between 500 AD and 700AD).
The Marquesan population was able to develop its own distinctive culture as it was isolated from the rest of the world for almost 15 centuries.

Getting to and around the Marquesas is a unique experience.
Operating 5 to 6 days a week, Air Tahiti provides service to Nuku Hiva with a three and a half-hour flight from Papeete. Continuing flights and helicopter charters connect Nuku Hiva to Hiva oa with several weekly 35-minute flights.
In addition to the Aranui freighter, several inter-island vessels also offer service between the primary islands.
Depending on road conditions and the location of your hotel, your airport transfer could either be by boat, 4x4 truck, horse or helicopter.
Travel around the islands require planning as well. Although 4x4 rental vehicles are available, it is advisable to hire a guide to negotiate the steep, rugged and unfamiliar roads occasionally used by herds of wild horses. Motorboat rentals for half or full days offer an enjoyable way to explore the dramatic bays and shoreline.

To visit:
In Nuku Hiva: see below
In Hiva Oa:  see below
In Ua Pou: the archeological sites, the beaches of Anahoa, Hohoi rocks, the bay of Hakahau.
In Ua Huka: the archeological sites of Hane (300 AD), and of Manihina, the petroglyphs of the site of Vaikiri and of course the island of birds (breeding ground for the kaveka (sooty terns), and the arboretum.
In Tahuata: the village of Hapatoni, the petroglyphs of Hanatefau valley, the white sand beaches of Hanamoenoa.
In Fatu Hiva: the "plates-formes" of Omoa, the archeological sites of Hanavave, the unique and breathtaking scenic view of the Baie des Vierges(Virgins Bay) from up high, the waterfall of the Vaieenui valley.

Nuku Hiva
The biggest of the Marquesan islands has a mountain range dominated by Mt. Tekao at 1,224 meters and has a population of about 2,400.
 The highly indented coastline features bays, capes, rocky points and cliffs with villages at the heads of the bays.
 

To visit: Muake mountain (864m) by 4 WD vehicle, the stone and wood carvers of Taiohae, the pa'epa'e Temehea adorned by a number of giant tiki that were made for a recent Marquesas festival, the cathedral of Notre-Dame of Marquesas built with different shaped and colored stones from the six Marquesan islands,  the Hakaui waterfall (350m high), the famous valley of Taipivai -whose fierce warriors were cannibals- with its numerous stone tikis, beautiful Anaho's bay with its fine white beach.

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Hiva Oa
The largest of the Southern islands, Hiva Oa has a population of about 1,900.
Atuona, a peaceful little port at the head of  the Taaoa Bay, also known as Traitors Bay, has emerged from obscurity due to having had the privilege of being the last resting place of Paul Gauguin and of the singer Jacques Brel. The tombs of these famous  personalities are on the side of the Calvary cemetery looking out across the bay and are places of great pilgrimage.
In the village, the Gauguin Museum displays items related to the painter's stay there at the beginning of the century and has copies of his works. The "House of Pleasure" where Gauguin lived has been rebuilt with copies of the carved wood panels and the lintel bearing this inscription.

In the outskirts of Atuona heading towards the airport on a site dominating the Tahauku Bay and Hanakee Islet, a memorial to the singer Jacques Brel has been erected.
Also very close to Tahauku, a track leads to Tehueko, a petroglyph site whose carvings bear a strange resemblance to the ones on Easter Island.

To visit: "Koke"(Gauguin)'s and Jacques Brel's graves in the Calvary Cemetery of Atuona, Atuona's Museum (Segelin-Gauguin), the village of Puamau and its 5 giant stone tikis (the tallest in French Polynesia -about 3 m high), the carved petroglyphs of Eiaone, Punae, and Tahauku.

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