Eiao, island in France
Eiao is a large uninhabited island and nature reserve in the Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia. The island has a crescent shape with steep cliffs on the northeast, a southeastern bay, and a mostly barren rocky surface with few sandy beaches.
Eiao was used by early Polynesians as a tool-making center, with artifacts from local basalt discovered across the region. In the 20th century, the island was examined for military purposes and was designated a nature reserve in 1992 to protect its remaining ecosystems.
Eiao served as a major tool-making center for early Polynesians, who valued the island's fine-grained basalt for crafting high-quality implements. This craft tradition shaped the island's identity and made it an important trading hub across the ancient Pacific region.
Access to the island is restricted and requires authorization, as it is fully protected for research and conservation work. Visitors must arrive by boat, and landings are challenging due to steep slopes and limited safe access points.
The island was the site of a 1960s 'Robinson Crusoe' experiment where a French journalist lived alone for around 100 days. The project had to end early due to health concerns, after which the island returned to its natural quietness.
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