Marquesas Islands: volcanic sites, ancestral tikis and cultural heritage

Taipivai Valley contains important religious sites from ancient Polynesia. Visitors can discover remnants of ceremonial platforms, petroglyphs carved into stone, and traditional stone dwellings that provide evidence of the spiritual and social organization of former inhabitants.

Calvary Cemetery sits on a hillside above Atuona and contains the burial sites of two notable French artists. Belgian singer and composer Jacques Brel, who spent his final years in the Marquesas Islands, rests here alongside post-impressionist painter Paul Gauguin, who died in Atuona in 1903. The cemetery provides visitors with insight into the cultural heritage of Hiva Oa island.

The Bay of Virgins is located on the western coast of Fatu Hiva and is framed by high basalt walls and volcanic rock pillars. This geological formation resulted from the erosion of ancient lava flows and forms a deep ocean cove. The dark basalt cliffs rise steeply from the Pacific and reach heights of several hundred meters. Access is via a narrow coastal path or by boat.

The Ua Pou Caldera is a circular geological formation created by several extinct volcanoes. This formation is dominated by numerous vertical spires composed of phonolite rock, rising up to 1,200 meters above sea level and giving the island its distinctive silhouette.

The Tiki of Puamau form a collection of monumental stone sculptures carved from volcanic rock, representing Polynesian ancestral figures. This archaeological site on Hiva Oa island preserves several of these religious statues, including the Tiki Takaii, which stands 2.43 meters tall and is considered one of the largest in French Polynesia. The sculptures are positioned on a restored ceremonial platform and demonstrate the craftsmanship and spiritual practices of pre-European Marquesan society.

The Gauguin Cultural Center is a museum in Atuona dedicated to French painter Paul Gauguin. It displays reproductions of paintings he created during his stay in the Marquesas Islands, along with personal documents and photographs. The exhibition documents his final years from 1901 to 1903, which he spent in Hiva Oa, and presents his artistic process in this remote region of the Pacific.

This cathedral was built using cut stone and features two square towers on its facade. The interior houses traditional Marquesan wood sculptures that combine local motifs with religious symbolism. The building merges European ecclesiastical architecture with artistic elements from the Marquesas Islands.

This space presents photographs, personal documents and objects that belonged to Jacques Brel during his final years in the Marquesas Islands. The museum documents the Belgian singer's stay in Atuona, where he lived from 1975 until his death in 1978. The exhibition displays mementos from his daily life on Hiva Oa and testimonies of his artistic activity in this remote region of the Pacific.

Taiohae Bay forms a natural harbor shaped like a crescent, surrounded by volcanic mountains. It serves as a landing point for ships and represents the main access to Nuku Hiva island. The protected waters provide safe anchoring conditions for sailboats and cruise ships.

The Communal Museum of Ua Huka presents archaeological and ethnographic objects from the Marquesas Islands. The collection includes stone and bone tools, traditional musical instruments, and everyday items that provide insight into the material culture and history of the Marquesan people.

Taha Uku Bay is a large natural bay surrounded by black volcanic cliffs and gray sandy beaches, providing views over the Pacific Ocean.

This Tiki is a stone sculpture carved from volcanic rock, representing a Polynesian deity with a pronounced smile. The figure dates from the period before European arrival and belongs to the religious heritage of the Marquesas Islands. The face displays typical features of Marquesan stone carving with broad traits and a characteristic expression. Such Tikis served as guardians of sacred sites or as representations of venerated ancestors and deities.

This Catholic church was built from stone and decorated with Marquesan sculptures and ornaments displaying traditional Polynesian motifs. The architecture combines European religious construction methods with the local artistic traditions of the Marquesas Islands.

Nahoe Beach extends over 200 meters and features black volcanic sand. Coconut palms line the shore while basalt formations shape the coastline. This beach sits on the coast of the Marquesas Islands and displays the volcanic origin of the archipelago.

The Vaipo Waterfall in the Hakaui valley drops 350 meters and ranks among the highest waterfalls in the Pacific region. Access follows a marked trail that takes approximately two hours through tropical vegetation. The valley is located on Nuku Hiva island and can be reached only on foot or by boat.

The Nuku Hiva Grand Canyon is a 1000-meter deep valley surrounded by steep rock walls. Hiking trails traverse this geological formation and allow observation of volcanic rocks and the tropical vegetation that has developed on the slopes.

Mount Tekao is a volcanic summit rising to 1224 meters above sea level. From the peak, views extend across Nuku Hiva Island and the Pacific Ocean. This volcanic formation reflects the geological origins of the Marquesas Islands.

The Upeke Archaeological Site contains Polynesian sculptures, including a monolithic tiki standing 2.43 meters high. This tiki is the tallest in all of French Polynesia and demonstrates the craftsmanship of pre-European islanders.

Mount Temetiu is the highest peak on the island of Hiva Oa, reaching an elevation of 1276 meters above sea level. This mountain is covered with dense tropical vegetation and provides views of the Pacific Ocean from its slopes. The summit area is frequently shrouded in clouds due to high humidity and trade winds.

The archaeological site of Hatiheu presents petroglyphs carved into volcanic rock, depicting scenes of daily life and spiritual symbols of Marquesan culture. These rock engravings document the traditions and beliefs of the Polynesian communities that inhabited this island before European arrival.

The Tohua of Hakamui served as an important gathering place in Marquesan society. This site contains an extensive stone-paved terrace used for ceremonial dances and communal celebrations. Several platforms functioned as residential areas for families and religious leaders. The stone structures provide evidence of the social organization and ritual practices of the pre-European population of the Marquesas Islands.

This marine reserve extends around Ua Huka island and encompasses extensive coral reefs and numerous underwater landscapes. The waters shelter a diversity of tropical fish, sea turtles, and manta rays. The reserve serves to protect marine ecosystems and provides opportunities to observe underwater fauna in their natural habitat.

Atuona Bay is a natural harbor on the southern coast of Hiva Oa, framed by volcanic mountains. The beach consists of black sand of volcanic origin, and the waters offer good visibility for observing marine life. Dolphins regularly frequent these waters and can be spotted from the shore or by boat.

The Ua Huka Botanical Garden presents a collection of Polynesian plants featuring native species and medicinal plants that have been used in traditional Marquesan medicine for generations. The grounds document the botanical heritage of the region and provide knowledge about local flora and their therapeutic applications.

The Motane Nature Reserve covers an uninhabited island in the Marquesas and protects various seabird species as well as endemic plants of the archipelago. The island shelters several rare plant species, including threatened varieties found in the Marquesas. This protected area contributes to the preservation of natural ecosystems.

The Village of Taaoa is an inhabited settlement on Hiva Oa that includes stone and wooden houses along with agricultural areas. The site preserves ancient ceremonial platforms that reflect the religious and social organization of the Marquesas Islands. Traditional cultivation areas demonstrate the agricultural practices of the residents.