Nuku Hiva
About 300m towards Taipivai from the Hikokua site, these three connecting sites make up the largest excavated archaeological area of Nuku Hiva. A team led…
Must-see attractions in The Marquesas
-
Nuku Hiva
It’s believed that this extensive communal site, with its paved esplanade, belonged to the war chief Pakoko, who was killed by the French in 1845. Today…
-
The Marquesas
This glorious bay is caressed by jade-green waters and is studded with a broad strand of golden sand. It’s a good picnic spot (despite a number of pesky…
-
Nuku Hiva
One of the most powerful archaeological sites in the Marquesas, Hikokua was discovered by the archaeologist Robert Suggs in 1957 and has been restored and…
-
The Marquesas
This tiny village, built against the steep slopes of the central ridge, retains a few vestiges of its stormy past. On the seafront stands a modest…
-
The Marquesas
Hanavave boasts a splendid setting, at the mouth of a steep-sided valley, best enjoyed from the sea (lucky yachties!). When the setting sun bounces purple…
-
The Marquesas
Time moves at a crawl in Omoa. The most striking monument is the Catholic church, with its red roof, white facade and slender spire. It makes a colourful…
-
The Marquesas
High up in the valley of Hane, the site of Meiaute includes three 1m-high, red-tuff tiki that watch over a group of stone structures, pae pae and me’ae,…
-
The Marquesas
Thousands of kaveka (sooty terns) nest year-round on these islets and lay thousands of eggs daily.
-
The Marquesas
Hapatoni curves around a wide bay and is accessible by boat in less than 15 minutes from Vaitahu, or by a track.
-
The Marquesas
Experts believe that the first Polynesian settlement on the Marquesas was here, tucked away in a bay protected on the east by the impressive Motu Hane…
-
The Marquesas
Built for the 2013 Mini Marquesas Festival, this beautiful site holds a large performance area and the island's main museum. The Marquesas's largest tiki,…
-
Nuku Hiva
Most tours stop in Taipivai to visit the Paeke archaeological site, which lies on a hillside at the exit of the village on the way to Hatiheu (the path…
-
The Marquesas
Tiny and scenic Hokatu, about 3km east of Hane, lies in a sheltered bay edged with a pebble beach pounded by azure seas with direct views of imposing,…
-
The Marquesas
At the far end of the village, make a beeline for this grandiose tohua, which hosted numerous dance and cultural performances during the Marquesas Arts…
-
The Marquesas
At the northern entrance of the village there’s a large flat stone that you can walk out onto to see a view of the village and bay. It’s now used to dry…
-
The Marquesas
Located next to the mayor’s office, this little museum features pestles, tiki, finely carved sculptures, pahu (drums), jewellery and period photos as well…
-
Nuku Hiva
Rebuilt for the 1989 Marquesas Festival, this pae pae (traditional meeting platform) contains modern sculptures and a dozen magnificent tiki made by the…
-
The Marquesas
Situated above the village, the magnificent Tohua Mauia comprises a huge L-shaped stone platform as well as numerous pae pae dotted around the main…
-
Notre-Dame Cathedral of the Marquesas Islands
Nuku Hiva
This striking building is built from wood and stones on a former sacred site venerated by the ancient Marquesans. The stones come from the archipelago’s…
-
The Marquesas
This little-visited archaeological site on the Vaikivi Plateau is well worth the detour, if only for the walk or horse ride to get there. A guide is…
-
The Marquesas
For a beautiful view of Hakahau Bay head east from Pukuéé pension along a track until you reach a small pass. Here take the right fork and climb steeply…
-
The Marquesas
Shortly after the airport at Aneou, Hakanai Bay appears like a mirage from around a sharp bend: a long curve of wave-lashed beach. It has been named Plage…
-
The Marquesas
A wide variety of plants, including 200 species of citrus fruits, are cultivated in these botanical gardens halfway between Vaipaee and Hane. The species…
-
Nuku Hiva
This modest yet well-organised archaeological museum does a good job of explaining the archipelago’s history and culture. It features artefacts, exhibits…
-
Nuku Hiva
This little museum has a few documents and some beautiful ancient Marquesan artefacts. It also doubles as a small craft shop. Entry was free at the time…
-
The Marquesas
This modest museum, in the white house on the seafront, shows the evolution of traditional pirogues (outrigger canoes) as well as hooks used for shark…
-
The Marquesas
The island’s main town is at the end of a very deep, narrow inlet, about 1km long and rightly named Invisible Bay. You'll find two stores, lots of fruit…
-
The Marquesas
From Hakahau, it’s a 30-minute walk east to deserted Anahoa Beach. From the Hakahau quay, follow the sign for Pukuéé pension and continue along the paved…
-
The Marquesas
At the entrance of the village a sign marks the mountainside track to a waterfall. It has a deep round bathing pool that looks like something out of a…
-
The Marquesas
The neighbouring islet to Motu Teuaua, Hemeni is also a nesting ground for thousands of kaveka (sooty terns). Access to Hemeni is prohibited in order to…
-
The Marquesas
Right in the centre of town is this enticing church made of wood and stone. Inside you’ll find some fantastic woodcarvings of religious figures with a…
-
Nuku Hiva
Other sites around Taipivai include the new Te Ai'tua mea'a built for the 2011 Marquesas Festival and decked out in interesting modern, mostly cement tiki.
-
The Marquesas
Near the airport, Manihina Beach is a wonderfully scenic pebbly beach framed by basaltic cliffs. Sadly there are lots of nono. It’s accessible by a dirt…
-
The Marquesas
Next to the post office and expanded in 2017, the Te Ana Peua Museum houses a range of exhibits focusing on Marquesan culture, from fish hooks to stone…
-
The Marquesas
This quiet, sheltered bay is popular with yachties. It’s fringed by a ribbon of white sand, lapped by multihued waters and backed by lush hills.
-
Nuku Hiva
On the seafront, opposite the Kamake shop, you can’t miss this obelisk fronted by a cannon constructed in honour of Étienne Marchand.
-
The Marquesas
On the waterfront, the small petroglyph museum displays well-presented photographs of the petroglyphs around the island.
-
Nuku Hiva
This little museum has a few documents and artefacts focusing on traditional Marquesan culture. It’s at the Hee Tai Inn.
-
The Marquesas
Another secluded bay lined with a golden-sand beach, Hanamenino is also used for picnics. Access is by boat only.
