A First-Timer’s Guide to Visiting the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia

The Marquesas Islands are a place where jaw-dropping natural beauty, untouched landscapes, and ancient Polynesian culture blend to create a unique and adventurous vacation experience. Governed by French Polynesia, the Marquesas are a chain of 12 volcanic islands in the heart of the South Pacific. This remote archipelago offers a unique escape for adventurous travelers seeking a truly authentic and awe-inspiring French Polynesian experience.

The Marquesas Islands may seem like a far-away and daunting place to travel. But, I’m here to share that it’s actually much easier than you may think to visit this incredible once-in-a-lifetime destination. Keep reading for an in-depth guide on how to plan an incredible trip to the Marquesas Islands.

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It’s true that the Marquesas are remote. In fact, they are one of the most remote island chains in the world. But, these days they are just a short 3.5-hour plane ride from the international airport in Tahiti, and their remote nature only adds to the experience of traveling there. On the more popular French Polynesian islands, you will see some epic scenery that may rival what you’ll find on the Marquesas. But, this typically means you will share these places with many other tourists. On the Marquesas, you’re likely to be either by yourself or in just a small group of like-minded travelers as you explore the islands.

While there may not be the same number of hotels or other amenities that you can find in Tahiti or Bora Bora, there are still options for just about any level of luxury or budget. There aren’t many places in the world you can experience this kind of remote travel while still having access to most of the common amenities that modern travelers expect.

Please note that French Polynesia is a territory of France, and as such, French is now the most spoken language. If you are staying at a hotel or resort there’s a good chance the staff will speak English. If you choose to stay at a homestay or plan to get around by yourself, do plan on having a translation app on your phone to aid with communication.

Travelers to the Marquesas from the mainland USA will first need to fly to Faa’a International Airport, which is located in Papeete on the island of Tahiti. We opted to take a direct non-stop flight from Seattle with Air Tahiti Nui. The flight time is just over 9 hours and we always have a great experience flying with Air Tahiti Nui.

From Tahiti, you will connect on a second flight to the Marquesas Islands with Air Tahiti. Depending on your arrival time in Tahiti, you may need to do an overnight stay in Papeete before getting on your Marquesas flight the following morning. There are many hotels nearby the airport to choose from. This is also a good chance to extend your trip with a mini stay in Tahiti, Bora Bora, or nearby Mo’orea (my favorite!) before heading to the Marquesas Islands.

Flight durations to the Marquesas depend on which island you are traveling to first but are typically around 3.5 hours from the island of Tahiti. This route runs 5 days a week, so plan accordingly.

Another way to get to the Marquesas Archipelago is to take a cruise on the Aranui 5. The Aranui 5 is a popular cruise and cargo hybrid ship that operates all throughout French Polynesia and holds roughly 230 passengers. The journey to all 6 inhabited Marquesas islands is the Aranui’s main and historic trip. Departing from Papeete, the entire journey takes 11 days and is an amazing way for cruise lovers to visit all of the inhabited Marquesas islands.

Only 6 of the 12 Marquesas islands are permanently inhabited; Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa, Ua Pou, Tahuata, Ua Huka, and Fatu Hiva. None of these islands have international flights, but both Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa have a direct flight from Tahiti. This is a remote part of the world, but that’s all part of the fun! All of the islands are known for being home to an abundance of natural beauty. You can expect to have your breath taken away by the Marquesas’ jagged mountain peaks, lush rainforests, rocky cliffs, and pristine blue water.

After lots of research, my husband and I chose to stay on the islands of Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa. These are accessible with easy flights from the Island of Tahiti, and both have multiple accommodation options for travelers. For the sake of this article, I will be mostly referring to these two islands as they are by far the most popular due to the extremely remote nature of the other islands.

Temperatures on the Marquesas Islands are typical of a tropical climate and are pretty consistent throughout the year. Expect highs averaging around 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 Celsius), and lows around 73 degrees Fahrenheit (23 Celsius). There is a distinct rainy season between the months of March and July that you may choose to avoid. The months that see the least rain are September through December, so visiting during these months is a safe bet. We recently visited in April and had fantastic weather the whole time, so I guess there’s a little luck involved. Long story short, September through December is the absolute best time to avoid the rain and get the best weather.

Although the Marquesas Islands are in a remote part of French Polynesia, there are still a variety of accommodations for travelers. Here are a few:

1. Hotels and Resorts: The Marquesas have a small number of hotels and resorts on the islands to accommodate travelers who would prefer a more traditional and/or luxury stay on the Marquesas. These usually have pools.
2. Guesthouses and Bed and Breakfasts: For those wanting a more local and immersive experience on the Marquesas Islands, there are also guesthouses and bed and breakfast options. These are often operated by locals who provide personalized services and insights into the local culture. They will typically have fewer amenities but are a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture.
3. Vacation Rentals: Options are limited, but there are some Vrbo and Airbnb properties available on the Marquesas Islands. If this is your preferred way to travel, I recommend booking far ahead to ensure availability.
4. Camping: For travelers on a budget, camping can be an option during your stay on the Marquesas. However, it’s important to note that camping regulations and facilities may vary, so it’s important to check local regulations.

During our recent stay on the island of Nuku Hiva we stayed at the Nuku Hiva Keikahanui Pearl Lodge. On the island of Hiva Oa, we opted to stay at the Hanakee Lodge. Both of these are part of the Pearl Resorts chain, which offers luxury accommodations at a more affordable price point than its competitors. If this is within your budget, I cannot recommend these locations enough. Guests can expect jaw-dropping views, infinity pools, comfortable bungalows, delicious food, and incredible staff. Not only that, but their guiding services were top-notch and made getting around the islands so easy!

Getting around the Marquesas Islands can be done in two ways.

1. Local guides – There are guiding services that will be happy to take you around and share their island’s beauty, history, and culture with you. If you’re staying at a hotel or resort, it’s likely your accommodation will have guides and offer tours. If not, they will likely be able to organize this for you. In my opinion, this is the best way to get around as there is no one who knows more about the islands than these local guides. My experience has been that they are extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about sharing their home with visitors.
2. Rent a car – There are rental car options on the Marquesas in both Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa. Be aware that there are only manual transmission vehicles, and the roads on both islands can be very narrow and steep in sections. Only take this route if you are an experienced driver of manual vehicles in a variety of mountainous conditions. With that said, this can be a great way to have freedom while on the islands to explore on your own time. If you go this route, I still recommend hiring a local guide to show you some of the more historical and cultural aspects of the island as this knowledge will be missed without them.

My husband and I spent 3 nights and 2 full days exploring Nuku Hiva. Another day would have been great, so if you have the time, I suggest aiming for 4 nights. Read below to hear about how we kept busy during our 3-night stay on the island Nuku Hiva.

Our absolute favorite experience while on the island of Nuku Hiva was our day trip out to Hatihe’u Bay. We booked this through our accommodation at the Nuku Hiva Keikahanui Pearl Lodge. A local driver took us on a scenic journey through the mountains in his open-air vehicle to Hatihe’u Bay, one of the most beautiful places my husband and I had ever seen.

Jagged mountain peaks pierce the sky and are surrounded by lush rainforests. At the base of the peaks is Hatihe’u Bay, a small village and beach. The inhabitants here sure are spoiled with the views! Here we had lunch cooked by our guide before driving a small mountainous road to a few more epic viewpoints.

Our guide stopped at a few culturally and historically significant locations on the way back to the hotel. One of which was some ancient ruins amongst the jungle which was really neat. We also stopped at a local market, giving us the opportunity to buy authentic souvenirs and support the local craftsman.

This tour had it all; breathtaking nature, cultural and historical sites, and plenty of local knowledge shared by our guide. I highly recommend you book a similar tour if you visit Nuku Hiva!

When visiting the island of Nuku Hiva, you’re likely to be staying in the town of Taioha’e. This is the largest village on the island and home to most accommodations. From just about any spot in town you can walk into the village center to explore. Here you can get immerse yourself in the culture, try a local restaurant, and check out the photogenic Tiki Tuhiva.

We ran out of time to do this, but if you have the time and enjoy hiking I don’t think you’ll regret checking out Vaipo waterfall. Vaipo is one of French Polynesia’s largest waterfalls and involved an adventurous 5.7 mile (9.2km) roundtrip hike. There are guided hikes that start with a boat ride from Taiohae Bay to Hakatea Bay. This is the only way to access this area. Hakatea Bay is also where they filmed the 4th season of Survivor. From here is where you will start the hike.

You’re likely to drive right past this on your journey from the airport to your hotel, so ask your driver if they wouldn’t mind making the stop. This is a beautiful viewpoint from high up in the mountains looking back through the Grand Canyon of Nuku Hiva to the Pacific Ocean. Don’t forget to have your camera ready!

Hiva Oa will have no trouble keeping you busy for a few days (or more!). We stayed 3 nights and it was a good amount of time for exploring the island and nearby Tahuata. Below are some of my “must-do” activities while staying on Hiva Oa.

Our favorite activity on Hiva Oa was completing a rewarding hike out to Hanatekuua Beach. The hike is 7.1 miles (11.4km) roundtrip and involves 1,800 feet (550m) of elevation change. Be prepared for a workout! With that said, the reward is more than worth it. We arrived at a stunning, secluded beach with no one else around. Coconut trees line the beach’s golden shores and the water was the most beautiful crystal clear blue. We swam for an hour and enjoyed our picnic lunch before making our way back down the trail.

The Hanakee Lodge offers guided tours, but it was booked out on the day we wanted to do it. The lodge booked us a taxi which dropped us at the trailhead and picked us up 5 hours later. If you do go yourself, bring more water than you think you’ll need. We packed 3 liters each and still wished we had more.

One of our favorite adventures during our stay on Hiva Oa in the Marquesas Islands was a full-day boat trip out to the small island of Tahuata. Organized through the Hanakee Lodge, we were driven to the local dock and loaded onto a boat. From there, our scenic boat trip took about an hour to reach the island of Tahuata.

The captain circled part of the island so we could enjoy the incredible scenery, and we even had a curious pod of dolphins follow the boat for a short time! Next, we stopped at the largest village on the island, Vaitahu. Here we visited a local lemonade stall and were taught about the history of local life on this remote island. We also did a little self-guided tour of the local church which was quite beautiful.

After visiting Vaitahu we boarded the boat once again and took a scenic journey out to another small village. Here we met with local woodworkers who also offered the chance to purchase authentic local souvenirs. If you would like to purchase a sculpture or other locally made souvenir, make sure to have cash on hand. This is a remote island after all!

Lastly, we boarded the boat for the short trip out to a stunning white sand beach lined with palm trees. The guides quickly got to work, cooking up a delicious meal of fresh fish and meat. Meanwhile, I was able to enjoy a swim in the warm and crystal-clear water at the beach. Pack snorkeling equipment if you have it.

Puama’u is a significant archeological site in French Polynesian culture, and these days most famous for its well-preserved ancient tiki statues. In fact, it is home to the tallest remaining tiki statue in French Polynesia, Tiki Takai’i, standing at around 8 feet tall. This is one of the most popular things to do on the island.

Our hotel was located in the town of Atuona, the largest on the island. We were within walking distance of the town center, but our hotel driver was kind enough to drop us there. From there, it’s a short and easy walk around town. This is a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture. The town also has a museum that features the work of renowned painter Paul Gauguin. We spent 30 minutes at the museum, and then walked down to the beach. We even managed to stumble upon a local school dance practice session in town which was a lot of fun!

The Marquesas Islands are also known for shark diving expeditions, scuba diving, and surfing. My husband and I aren’t really into these activities, but if this is something you enjoy then I suggest looking into tour operators on the Marquesas who can help get you into the best places to do so.

If you want to immerse yourself in Marquesan traditions and escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, the Marquesas Islands are the perfect destination for your next French Polynesia getaway. For a journey that’s off the beaten path, this is an adventure you didn’t know you needed. This remote archipelago offers untouched beauty that honestly feels a world away.