THE MARQUESAS ISLANDS
The Marquesas Islands are part of one of the 5 archipelagos which compose French Polynesia and it represents a total area of 997km². This is the most extensive archipelago. The 12 islands of this archipelago, including just 6 inhabited, are in the Northern part of French Polynesia. Marquesas are also called: the “Land of Men”.
Considered as legendary, the Marquesas islands symbolize the essential materials of the construction of the Gods Oatea and Atanua’s house, these islands are the pillars, the beam, the roof and the leaves on it.
Numerous artists walked on ancestral lands of the Marquesas: Herman Melville, Paul Gauguin, Jacques Brel, and many others.
Rock creeks in the littorals dive directly into the great blue of the Ocean. As for beaches, they are embedded in valleys. Landside, vegetation is in perpetual abundance which seems like paradise on earth. Dance is one of the activities with annual festivals embracing tradition and culture.
The richness of the Marquesas Islands culture is expressed through tattoos, sculptures, art objects, jewelry, paintings…
Number of islands : 12
Name of the islands : Nuku Hiva, Ua Pou, Ua Huka, Hiva Oa, Tahuata, Fatu Hiva, Motu One, Hatutu, Eiao, Motu Iti, Fatu Huku, Mohotana
Surface area : 997km²
NUKU HIVA
Nuku Hiva is the largest Island of the Marquesas. This volcanic island still wild and raw has a road that cut the pine wooded valley of the Tovi’i plateau which overhangs Nuku Hiva with its 800 meters of altitude.
Vaipo’s waterfall is the highest one in French Polynesia and it is located at the bottom of Hakaui valley after an expedition-like hike. All the roads of Nuku Hiva can be visited as well on foot or on horseback.
From Muake Mont, the sight is breathtaking. In the distance, we observe on the waterfront a deep ocean blue. Its white sand beach is protected from the swell and the wind by the unique coral shelf of the Marquesas archipelago. Nuku Hiva waters are rich with fishes and turtles, their visits promise to surprise young and old.
Nuku Hiva ancestors’ life stays all along Paeke’s me’ae (marae in Marquesan). The site of about 40 meters long, groups together two enclosures and included 12 tiki with the largest measuring 1.7 meters. Numerous are historical sites with legendary stories about Nuku Hiva.
Nuku Hiva will make you live an authentic trip with ancestral flavors.
Distance from Tahiti to Nuku Hiva : 1 406km
Flight time from Nuku Hiva to :
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- Hiva Oa : 50min
- Tahiti : 3h45
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Population : 3 120 (2017)
Surface area : 339km²
HIVA OA
Hiva Oa has impressive cliffs, majestic forests, tropical vegetation, and steep roads. Hiva Oa's bays offer beautiful beaches with forests and fragrant frangipani trees.
The still wild road leads to Motuua and Nahoe’s valleys before arriving at Puamau village. Matafenua cap is a very long brownish rock point eaten away by the sea which directs the boat in the bay. At the bottom of the valley, Te I’Ipona site owns the highest tiki of French Polynesia: Taka’i’i, giving the impression of watching and protecting this sacred area. It takes part of the symbols of the “Land of Men”.
Atuona, Hiva Oa main village, contains for its part the remains of the past life of the singer Jacques Brel and the famous painter Paul Gauguin. Their graves are situated on high ground and are regularly flowered and visited.
Distance from Tahiti to Hiva Oa : 1 433km
Flight time from Hiva Oa to :
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- Nuku Hiva : 50min
- Tahiti : 3h50
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Population : 2 447 (2012)
Surface area : 316km²
FATU HIVA
Fatu Hiva welcomes and taunts at the same time its visitors with its authentic and breathtaking reefs. This island surprises with its cathedral looks with more than 1 000 meters of elevation changes for only 10 kilometers long and 4 kilometers wide.
Omoa’s bay and the famous Virgin’s bay open toward the West being this way sheltered from the waves formed by the trade winds. However, it is the island that owns the most humid climate of all archipelagoes. The rain pours in abundance allowing rich vegetation: mangos, bananas, lemons, oranges, papayas, grapefruits…
Distance from Tahiti to Fatu Hiva : 1 410km
Flight time from Fatu Hiva to :
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- Hiva Oa : 30min
- Tahiti : 4h00
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Population : 633 (2017)
Surface area : 84km²
TAHUATA
Tahuata, is only accessible by boat and seems to be isolated and still wild. Vaitahu municipality owns a small historical port, a valley, and archeological sites. Hapatoni, the main village of the island, intrigues with its “royal road” paved in the 19th century and its me’ae (mara’e in Marquesan).
It is important not to miss Hana Moena white sand beach and its turquoise waters. Furthermore, Tahuata is the only Marquesas island that owns the most coral reef formations; rather surprising for an archipelago that is completely devoid of them.
Distance from Tahiti to Tahuata : 1 500km
Flight time from Tahuata to :
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- Hiva Oa : 20min
- Tahiti : 4h00
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Population : 653 (2017)
Surface area : 69km²
UA HUKA
Ua Huka the lowest island of the Marquesas. It offers a climate that is drier compare to its neighbors. Most of the island is made up of arid hills and vast plateaus. The vegetation is dense but poorer than the other Marquesas islands.
The bird’s observation is possible on the few motu (islets) which surround the island, they are called “bird islands”. It has been recorded 35 species of birds in Ua Huka.
Distance from Tahiti to Ua Huka : 1 400km
Flight time from Ua Huka to :
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- Hiva Oa : 40min
- Tahiti : 4h00
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Population : 678 (2017)
Surface area : 77km²
UA POU
Ua Pou is well-known to be one of the only places in the world to have the “flower stone”. This island is made of chains of pitons and is full of unforgettable scents. The time seems to stop through the many bays of the island where the landscape is a unique beauty.
Ua Pou is an island where simplicity is like authenticity.
Distance from Tahiti to Ua Pou : 1 300km
Flight time from Ua Pou to :
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- Hiva Oa : 30min
- Tahiti : 4h00
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Population : 2 295 (2017)
Surface area : 106km²