Te Tumu

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, carved in 2013 from local red tuff, watches over the main event area. Also look for the several pamuera (whale tiki), unique to the island of 'Ua Huka. It's located just above the airport.

The museum was under construction when we passed but will display pestles, tiki, finely carved sculptures, pahu (drums), jewellery and period photos.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Marquesas attractions

1. Arboretum

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2. Manihina

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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…

3. Vaipaee

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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…

4. Hane

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5. Vaikivi Petroglyphs

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6. Meiaute

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7. Hokatu

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8. Motu Teuaua

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Thousands of kaveka (sooty terns) nest year-round on these islets and lay thousands of eggs daily.