The Other Islands
We’ve compiled the best of the best in The Other Islands - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Anaho Bay
BeachThe village of Anaho, with it's small thatched-roofed Catholic church, is located at the head of the bay. It's backed by jagged green mountains—this has to rank among the most beautiful places on earth—and has the only coral shelf in the Marquesas. There's also an expansive white sand beach.
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2. Aranui 3
Pape'eteIf you'd like to see a number of the Marquesas islands, jump aboard the Aranui 3, a cargo boat that leaves Pape'ete for the outlying islands—Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa, Fatu Hiva, and Ua Huka, plus several others—about 16 times per year; the journey takes about 15 days. The boat holds a maximum of 200 passengers with varying degrees of accommodation, meals are served, and there's a nursery, swimming pool, library, and a restaurant-bar. Nights are spent on board and shore visits are half or whole days with a guide from the ship. Pape'ete, Tahiti, Windward Islands. 42–62–42. www.aranui.com.
Tahiti, Windward Islands, French Polynesia-42–62–42Sight Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted -
3. Atuona
Town/VillageHiva Oa's main settlement is Atuona, which lies at the head of the Bay of Traitors. The main attractions are those associated with artist Paul Gauguin—the museum and his grave.
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4. Calvaire Cemetery
If you'd like to see Gauguin's final resting place, pay a visit to the Calvaire Cemetery, which is behind Atuona's gendarmerie (police station); there should be a signpost. A stone engraved "paul gauguin, 1903" marks the spot. On the tombstone is a replica of a statue of an oviri (savage) that is said to symbolize the values for which the artist searched in the Marquesas. Jacques Brel is also buried here.
French Polynesia -
5. Geology and Petroglyphe Museum
Museum/GalleryIn the tiny village of Hokatu about 2 mi east of Hane look for the Geology and Petroglyphe Museum, which is tiny but interesting.
-91–60–25Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, By request -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Hane
Town/VillageThe village of Hane, protected on the east by Motu Hane, also has a little museum dedicated to the sea, with a display of canoes through the ages, paddles, and many other objects. The oldest archeological site so far discovered in the Marquesas, Haíatuatua, is also here. It has been dated to between AD 250 and 300.
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7. Hatiheu Bay
RuinsScottish author Robert Louis Stevenson favored Hatiheu Bay, which is on the northern coast. Nearly a thousand feet above the bay, a statue of the Virgin looks down; in the valley is the Naniuhi tohua meeting place used by pre-Christian Marquesans, which includes a dance platform, ceremonial stones, and petroglyphs carved in boulders.
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8. Hibiscus Foundation for Protected Turtle Species
Haamene | Nature Preserve/Wildlife RefugeBased at the Hibiscus Hotel, this sanctuary rescues sea turtles that have been caught in commercial fishnets—most get sold on the lucrative black market. More than 1,300 turtles have been nursed back to heath at the sanctuary which tags the healthy turtles before releasing them into open waters. For US$100 you can sponsor and name a turtle and receive updates on its progress in the wild.
Haamene BayB.P. 184, Tahaa, Leeward Islands, 98734, French Polynesia-65–61–06Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Turtle feedings, daily 9am -
9. Jacques Brel Cultural Centre
Atuona | Museum/GalleryThe Jacques Brel Cultural Centre is adjacent to the Paul Gauguin Centre and they share a ticket office. The center honors the life of Brel (1929–1978), a Belgian singer and actor that lived in Atuona for several years at the end of his life. Brel's Beachcraft Bonanza plane—which he named Jojo, after a good friend, and one of his most famous songs—is on permanent display. A souvenir market now stands next to the museum.
Atuona, Hiva Oa, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia-92–73–32Sight Details
Rate Includes: $5CFP, Mon.–Thurs. 8–11 and 2–5, Fri. 7:30–2:30, Sat. 8–11 -
10. Mahu
Memorial/Monument/TombNear Mahu on the south coast is the home and grave of parliamentary speaker Noel Ilari, who was jailed by the French government in the 1950s on false charges. Details of the saga are on his gravestone. His home is now a modest guesthouse.
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11. marae
Tubuai has a number of marae—Polynesian meeting grounds or temples—along with ahu (platforms for the dead). They are generally poorly maintained in the Christian environment.
French Polynesia -
12. Mataura
Town/VillageMore than half the people live in the town of Mataura on the northern coast, about 1.5 km (1 mi) east of the wharf. You'll find the town hall, police station, shops, and a small market in the village, though in truth there is little for the tourist to buy.
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13. Meiaute
RuinsAt the foot of Mount Hitikau, you can see a great series of monumental tiki carved from red rock. Many organized tours call here.
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14. Musée Communal
Museum/GalleryThe village's main attraction is the Musée Communal, the oldest museum in the Marquesas. Its collections include mortuary canoes and various decorations such as bracelets, earrings, sperm whale teeth, and adzes. Local wood-carvers work and sell their wares here. The museum is also known as the Archeological Museum of Vaipaee.
-92–60–13Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, donations welcome, Open by request only -
15. Omoa
Town/VillageAbout 500 people live on the island in two villages: Omoa, which has a simple but beautiful Catholic church, and the even smaller Hanavave. Many of the inhabitants carry dramatic tattoos in the local tradition and proudly display them to visitors. The islanders are legendary for their generosity and friendship, and if necessary it's perhaps best to repay this generosity with gifts rather than cash.Only 4.8 km (3 mi) of sea separate the villages but land access is by a 16-km (10-mi) narrow path that winds over the mountains. Walking this can take around four to five hours—getting around is not an easy option.
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16. Papuakeikaha Arboretum
Vaipaee | GardenEast of Vaipae'e, on the road to the airport, is this remarkable botanical garden spread out over 42 acres. It showcases more than 300 plant species (most of which are unlabeled, so take an illustrated guide if possible) from all over the world. Most of the major local flora, including the majestic local palm and papaya, are represented among the offerings. The citrus fruit collection, from which emanate distinctively tangy aromas, is reputed to be the best in the world. An aviary displays local birds, including the ultramarine lorikeet.
Vaipae'e, Ua Huka, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia-92–61–51Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Mon.–Fri. 6:30am–4:30pm, Sat.–Sun. by request -
17. Puamau
Town/VillageThe village of Puamau is east of Atuona; the journey takes 2½ hours by 4WD over a mountain trail that crosses the island, passing through the island's airport, the north shore, and the villages of Hanapaaoa and Nahoe. Puamau is overshadowed by a circle of high cliffs and is home to the Pekekea historical site which consists of the tomb of Queen Vahinetitoiani that's protected by two gigantic "tiki"—Mani and Pauto. Higher up the trail sits one of the most important archaeological sites in the Marquesas: Iipona, a temple site with the largest stone carving found outside of Easter Island. The site is guarded by a 7-foot-tall (2 meter) tiki that's known as 'Takai', the valley's namesake. Takai' is accompanied by two smaller tiki: Tauatepepe on the right and Pepetamuimui to the left. There are also many tiki heads displayed about the paepae, and on one of the platforms there is also the striking statue of Makali Taua Pepe, representing a woman giving birth to a creature that is half man, half goat.
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18. Sea Museum of Hane
Museum/GallerySea Museum of Hane displays pirogues (outrigger canoes) and various fishing equipment and hooks.
Mr. Joseph Vaatete–98744 Vaipae'e–Ua Huka., Ua Huka, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia-91–60–25Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, By request -
19. Taahueia
Military SightTubuai had a role in the best-known naval mutiny, that aboard HMS Bounty in 1789. After master's mate Fletcher Christian seized the ship, setting Captain William Bligh adrift, the mutineers sailed the South Pacific looking for a place to hide, eventually ending up on Pitcairn Island. In the course of their travels they spent time in Tubuai, building Fort George, southeast of Taahuaia and around 3 km (2 mi) east of the wharf. Nothing remains of the original fort, but a replica has recently been built.
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20. Taaoa
RuinsThe island has some of the most interesting archaeological sites in French Polynesia and these can all be seen on a 4WD excursion. The village of Taaoa is west of Atuona and can be reached by a zigzag track that reaches an elevation of 1,300 feet (400 meters). The village has a great view over the bay, and there's a large archaeological site consisting of several hundred paepae (stone platforms).
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