10 Enchanting Adventures in the Magical Marquesas Islands!

In the location map, we see an island group named Marquesas Islands, floating in the South Pacific Ocean. There are 15 of them and all are volcanic geographically.

There are further divided into North and South Marquesas Islands.

These 15 islands are classified as some of the remotest islands in the world.

Marquesas Islands are administered by the French Government. Yes, the islands fall under French Overseas Territory.  You can call then French Polynesia.

Facts worth reading:

• As many as 130 islands are grouped under French Polynesia.
• I meant ‘remotest islands’ because they are located somewhere between Australia, and South America.

To give you an idea of its location so that you can visualize, Marquesas chain of islands lies some 137.0 km north-east of Tahiti, the largest of French Polynesia.

If you depart in a luxury yacht from the west coast of Mexico, you will be travelling a big 4800 km to reach NukuHiva Island.

• French is one of the official languages in all of French Polynesian Islands.
• Marquesas archipelago has been under France since 10^th century AD!

Where is French Polynesia?

Here it is a map for quick grasping.

All the archipelagos you saw in the title map are put under French Polynesia, Let me be more clear.

• Marquesas Islands
• Gambier Islands
• Society Islands
• Bass Islands (not visible in the map mentioned above)
• Austral Islands
• Tuamotu Islands

Below is a map that shows all the French Polynesia Islands in South Pacific Ocean.

A large map showing all the islands of French Polynesia

In this blog post, you will come to know how to reach Marquesas Islands, where to stay, what to see there, and when to visit them.

Reaching Marquesas Islands:

Our target is to reach the capital city of Taiohae. It is located on the NukuHiva Island, North Marquesas.

HivaOa is the second largest island and is part of South Marquesas Islands.

Papeeta city, the capital of Tahiti Island is your starting point. The flight takes 3 hours and 20 minutes to land in Taiohae city, NukuHiva Island.

If you want to see the fresh beauty of HivaOa, you can fly from NukuHiva Island. The duration is 50 minutes.

In addition, once you are in NukuHiva, sea passage is possible between the other Marquesas Islands.

Hotels to stay on Marquesas Islands:

I was surprised to note the wide choice of accommodations on these remote islands. I think only the French people bother to come here.

However, nothing stops you and me to experience the virgin beauty of these pristine islands floating in the South Pacific Ocean.

Fitting all the budgets, there are large resorts to small but adequate guest houses.

Having seen the interior of the hotels, and resorts, I would caution you not to expect real five-star luxuries, and amenities.

The following hotels caught my eyes. They are my choice.

• Fare Manutea-NukuHiva Island. It has got views.
• Akivali Lodge, UaPou Island, North Marquesas
• Atakua Lodge, Ua Pou

When is the best time to go to Marquesas Islands?

Though these islands are considered as tropical islands, strangely, they receive very less rain. Therefore, you can go to these isolated islands, all through the year.

10 Enchanting Adventures in the Magical Marquesas Islands!

1. Stunning Rock Formation

 

This a prime attraction on NukuHiva Island’s Hatiheu village. Such rock formations indicate the island’s age is over a million years.

2. Hakaui waterfall

This is absolutely dramatic! The waterfall is also called, “Vaipo Waterfall”. The thin silverline of the water is not voluminous. It appears so. Maybe a closer shot reveals otherwise.

I think there is a genuine reason for the lack of a close-up photo of the Vaipo Waterfall.

You have to travel in a boat for some distance. Then, you begin hiking through dense forests, several streams, and rivers, a rugged path to see the waterfall somewhat closer.

The mountains’ peaks are enveloped by dark, rain-bearing clouds.

The height of the fall is 1150 feet! This is one of the striking attractions in NukuHiva Island.

It is observed that there is no match to this waterfall’s height in New Zealand. In addition, the fantastic Hawaiian Islands, where there are numerous waterfalls, also can’t compete with Vaipo Waterfall’s height.

I verified this fact. Among 100+ waterfalls on all Hawaiian Islands, the tallest is Wailua Falls. Its height is only 175 feet.

Marquesas Islands warrant a must-visit status. The islands’ tropical nature, mountains, the forests, rivers, and streams paint a picture of an island that we have all seen in movies and documentaries produced by National Geographic channel.

To hike up to the waterfall, you have to transform into a Tarzan! A hike amidst dense rainforest, up to the waterfall, is worth your long trip to these remotely located Polynesian Islands.

3. Hana Vave Bay

This is the sight of Hana Vave Bay, To see this beautiful attraction in Marquesas, you have to travel to the southernmost island in the archipelago. Its name is FatuHiva.

However, it takes time and effort to reach FatuHiva Island. It is 270 km south of NukuHiva Island.

But from HivaOa Island, the largest of southern Marquesas Islands, the distance is only 92 km.

First, you have to complete a 50-minute flight from NukuHiva to HivaOa. The boat voyage should take about 90 minutes from HivaOa to FatuHiva. I still believe the trip is worth.

There is a village with the same name. A few hundred Polynesians live in FatuHiva. I wonder what will they do throughout the day!

4. See the beautiful Polynesian People.

Do you want to see how beautiful the Polynesian women look with their lovely flower ring on their head?

Watch the video.

The video shows the Hana Vave Bay and the inner of FatuHiva Island.

The atmosphere oozes peace, and supreme health.

5. Cathedral of Our Lady of Marquesas

The shrine must have been built by the French rulers. The original religion and belief of the native Polynesians must be different.

6. UaPou Island

This is Mount Oave on this island. Its peak is situated at about 4100 feet! Tourists hike up to this summit just to look at the jaw dropping view of the island and the South Pacific Ocean.

This is one of the Marquesas Islands. You can fly to this paradise in just 25 minutes from NukuHiva Island. The distance between these two islands is only 85 km.

In spite of its small size and limited population (less than 2500), there is a bank,a post office, two churches, a school, and even a restaurant!

It’s amazing!

I think UaPou Island is the best place to learn about the Polynesians’ culture, and cuisine.

This is not a flower but a ‘flower stone’. You can buy these flower stones on this island.

The island’s airstrip is said to be a very dangerous one, starting from the edge of the Pacific Ocean.

As a nature lover, you will need three days in UaPou Island. Hiking the mountains, exploring the beaches on foot, interacting with the locals are some of the things to do.

Guesthouse is available with clean room. The host will guide you about going for a cruise around the island.

Horseback riding is also available. As a matter of fact, it is the best mode of moving around the serene island.

Man, this is a heaven on earth! It is blissful to live on such a beautiful, and unspoiled island.

7. NukuHivaz Island

This is the main and the largest island among Marquesas archipelago. As a matter of fact, next to Tahiti Island, NukuHiva is the largest in French Polynesia.

The island’s beauty is simply breathtaking. Verdant mountains, deep gorges in between the mountains, original, native culture, rich, and diverse wildlife and marine life are some of the strong attractions of this island.

Hiking in these mountains is widely seen.

Just for the sake of exotic fish species, diving points were identified. Some of the rare marine species include:

• Melon-headed Whales

These are also called, “Mini Killer Whales”, and “Electra Dolphin”. They live only in the waters of Polynesia,

• Spotted Eagle Rays

It’s a terrific looking fish. I would say a fish without the appearance of a normal fish.

• Hammerhead Whales

Cruise tours are organized. One should not miss enjoying a trip to see the deep sea caves, and spotting the hammerhead whales.

Snorkelers also join the cruise because, snorkelling points are at a distance from the black sand beaches.

Sea kayaking is done, but only by veterans who can manoeuvre the vessel in waves.

Standing amidst lush hills, these natural rock formations are just too good to look at.

8. HivaOa Island

It’s quite a large island in southern Marquesas, comprising a substantial 320 sq. km area.!

An extinct volcano invites mountaineers. It’s known as Mount Temetiu.

The star attraction on this island is the Atuona Beach.

Generally, the native Polynesian’s have strong belief and respect for their ancestors.  The art work, and crafts work reflect their faith.

9. Birds to watch

If you are already familiar with spotting and identifying seabirds, the following birds will catch your eyes.

• Tahiti Petrel
• Sooty Tern
• Black Noody
• White Tern

What a beauty!

• Blue-footed Booby
• Brown-footed Booby
• Red-footed Booby

These Boobies wearing colored footwear are pretty to look at.

Interestingly, these colored feet of the Boobies are meant for attracting female Boobies who are not blessed with such an attraction.

• Great Frigate Bird

There are several land-birds also on these islands such pigeons, doves, kingfishers, and so on.

10. What is the local specialty in the dining table?

Special Polynesian food delicacies you can try on Marquesas.

• Coconut milk is widely used. There is one special food that I should mention. It is a raw fish (small) that is marinated in coconut milk. It’s called Ota Ika. Another fancy name is Poisson Cru.

To enhance the taste and hide the smell, lemon juice is added after the food is placed in front of you.

• Eat the locally grown Breadfruit. It is said to be heavenly delicious.
• Poi is widely eaten. It is made of taro root. It’s sweetish in taste.
• Apart from the meat of various fishes, the local islanders eat wild pig that is roasted directly in open fire.

Winding up, the Marquesas Islands command an exclusive week-long trip. Remember, reaching the remote Polynesian Islands is time-consuming; therefore, 7 days trip is necessary.