Things to do & places to visit in Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia

Marquesas Islands #3 destination in French Polynesia 2023. The average rating score is 4.28 based on 744 traveler reviews, of 40 attractions. Timezone: Pacific/Tahiti, current date and time: Saturday, May 11, 2024, 11:56.

Top things to do (39)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Hakaui adventure with Tangy and Ana (35 reviews)
- Tremendous tour with valley resident
Multi-day Tours • Walking Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Day Trips

A spectacular hike with a knowledgeable, responsive, engaging, and fun guide who actually lives in Hakaui valley. After an exciting and beautiful boat ride (priced separately), we spent the late morning and early afternoon in one of the most impressive valleys on the island. Ana's English-language information was learned, intriguing, and aimed right at what we wanted to know: the history of the valley, the geology, the plant and animal life, and the long and impressive resilience of the valley's inhabitants, topped off with a terrific local lunch in the village of about 10 residents at the mouth of the valley. Ana is very easy to be with, she made us feel comfortable, and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We enthusastically recommend Hakaui Adventure! See more..
5.0 Bay of Virgins (Baie de Vierges) (24 reviews)
- Best Harbour in the Marquesas
Bodies of Water • Geologic Formations

This is a group of pinnacle rocks or "curtains" enclosing Hanavava Bay. See more..
5.0 Nuku-Hiva on horseback (21 reviews)
- Journée inoubliable
Spent 2-3 hours Horseback Riding Tours

Magnifique balade entre les deux baies. Nui est adorable et très attachant. Les paysages sont époustouflants. A ne pas manquer ! See more..
5.0 Les tiki de Puamau (15 reviews)
- Découverte des Tiki
Ancient Ruins • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues

Très beau site où on peut découvrir de nombreux Tiki.
Notre guide nous a très bien expliqué l'histoire de ce lieux. See more..
5.0 Marquises Cycles & Cars (15 reviews)
- Amazing way to discover the island!
4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Gear Rentals

We rented a 4*4 two days to discover the island (one day to go to puamau and one to go do the hike to hanaiapa beach) AND we rented two e-bikes to go between taaoha (where the upeke site is and a great beach) and atuona where we did some horseback riding with Jeremy and visited the cultural center. All vehicles were in superb condition which allowed us to have a great time! Great service too. See more..
5.0 Comité Du Tourisme De Nuku Hiva (15 reviews)
- Very helpfull
Visitor Centers

If you are a tourist in Nuku Hive you should visit Colette in the information center. She is a very nice and helpful local with a lot of great tips around the island! she can help you with everything. See more..
5.0 Musee communal de Ua Huka (2 reviews)
Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

See more..
5.0 Sémaphore D'atuona (2 reviews)
Scenic Walking Areas

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5.0 Meae Meiaute (1 review)
- inoubliable
Spent 2-3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks

Un site d'une majesté incroyable que l'on découvre après une longue marche à travers la forêt de cette île magique. Mystique et inoubliable avec un magnifique point de vue sur la baie de Hane. See more..
5.0 Catholic Church (1 review)
- Incroyable
Spent 1-2 hours Churches & Cathedrals

Une incroyable petite église, émouvante et remplie de sérénité, qui se niche au fond de la baie des vierges, dans le village d'Hanavave. See more..
5.0 Les tiki de Puamau (15 reviews)
- Découverte des Tiki
Ancient Ruins • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues

Très beau site où on peut découvrir de nombreux Tiki.
Notre guide nous a très bien expliqué l'histoire de ce lieux. See more..
5.0 Marquises Cycles & Cars (15 reviews)
- Amazing way to discover the island!
4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Gear Rentals

We rented a 4*4 two days to discover the island (one day to go to puamau and one to go do the hike to hanaiapa beach) AND we rented two e-bikes to go between taaoha (where the upeke site is and a great beach) and atuona where we did some horseback riding with Jeremy and visited the cultural center. All vehicles were in superb condition which allowed us to have a great time! Great service too. See more..
5.0 Comité Du Tourisme De Nuku Hiva (15 reviews)
- Very helpfull
Visitor Centers

If you are a tourist in Nuku Hive you should visit Colette in the information center. She is a very nice and helpful local with a lot of great tips around the island! she can help you with everything. See more..
4.5 Marquises Excursions Private Tours (40 reviews)
- Jocelyne Henua Enana Tours
Private Tours

Jocelyn gave us an excellent afternoon tour of the island at a reasonable price (much cheaper than the ship tour). We booked this over the internet and she was always very prompt in replying. She was there to meet us when we got off our tender and provided excellent transportation. She is very knowledgeable about the island and provided very interesting commentary. We stopped at several beautiful vistas and other sites for some great photo ops. We highly recommend her. Phil and Diane See more..
4.5 Tiki Souriant (29 reviews)
- Go with a guide to get the full experience
Spent 1-2 hours Ancient Ruins

Go with a guide to get the full experience. If you only rent a car and locate the sign and make the short walk to this site you will miss the point. Like all all our excursions, understanding the nuances of the significance added immensely to the experience. We did this with Heimata from the Pearl hotel. See more..
4.5 MARQUISES DIVING (17 reviews)
- Couldn't get a hold of the guy for a week
Scuba & Snorkelling • Shark Diving • Submarine Tours • Taxis & Shuttles • Swim with Dolphins • Dolphin & Whale Watching • Speed Boats Tours

Tried to arrange for a scuba dive for about a week and he kept on disappearing. Tried to ask questions about location of dives, prices, availability - nothing. Then at the very last moment wrote an email quoting 200 euro for a dive and 125 euro for a snorkel. I know Polynesia is expensive but this is double of the standard price. We didn't go. Asked other guests at the hotel and they had similar experience. Maybe he is good as a dive master, but definitely bad at customer/business man. See more..
4.5 Marquises Diving Hiva Oa (15 reviews)
- Excursion in Tahuata
Scuba & Snorkelling • Day Trips

In March 16th I was in Hiva Oa and Humu was our guide to Tahuata island. He did an excellent job in the premise of Covid-19. Thank to him and Patrick, I discovered the importance of the Marquesan traditions. it was a great extension after visiting the Maori in NZ. Humu is a voice for his people. He has knowledge and interest. I had no choice than to shorten my trip in French Polynesia but I plan to return. See more..
4.5 Espace Jacques Brel (15 reviews)
- Brel sous les tropiques
Spent 1-2 hours History Museums

Petite salle qui abrite l'avion Jojo, expo constituée d'affiches qui illustrent quelques unes de ses chansons. Entrée gratuite. See more..
4.5 Hanakee Rental Bike (11 reviews)
- Loca-t-on velo
Spent More than 3 hours Gear Rentals

Electric bicycle rental See more..
4.5 Ua Pou Rando & Decouverte (9 reviews)
- One Most Memorable Morning
4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours

Several years ago, I was on the Aranui sailing through Marquesas. Following breakfast, we neared Ua Pou. The unforgettable basalt spires piercing the sky were an incomparable sight as our ship neared the dock. Children jumped in the water and islanders greeted their supply boat and its passengers. We were treated to wonderful food and a brilliant show of music, fire, and dance by the inhabitants. Unique and memorable was this special port. See more..
4.5 Taioha'e Bay (9 reviews)
- Beautiful Natural Caldera
Bodies of Water

This is one of the most beautiful Bays we saw during the many islands we visited in French Polynesia. The water is a gorgeous blue and very calm. The setting is enhanced by the many sailboats and yachts that are anchored near the shore. We were on a cruise ship and it anchored in the mouth of the bay and then we took tenders into the dock. See more..
4.5 Voilier Pepikat (7 reviews)
- Amasing sailing boat trip
Boat Tours

I will never forget this trip! It was a nice way to explore French Polynesia beautiful nature. We discussed the itinerary with the very experted captain Francois. He knows a lot about the islands, fantastic stories about all the fishes (that I explored myself by snorkeling in the lagoon or coral) and is a very good sailer. It was a comfortable sailing boat that is named Pepikat. There are no words to describe the most colorful sunset that we have seen. Please take me back! See more..
4.5 Taha Uku Bay (5 reviews)
- Magnifique baie
Scenic Walking Areas

Magnifique baie que l'on peut voir de la route avant d y accéder.
Se balader au port de débarquement à l arrivée de l'Aranui est impressionnant See more..
4.5 Nuku Hiva Aventures (3 reviews)
- Hulu Hiva April 2019
Sightseeing Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours
Very helpful and amazing knowledge. We had a great day out exploring the island and understanding its history. Highly recommend See more..
4.5 MARQUISES DIVING (17 reviews)
- Couldn't get a hold of the guy for a week
Scuba & Snorkelling • Shark Diving • Submarine Tours • Taxis & Shuttles • Swim with Dolphins • Dolphin & Whale Watching • Speed Boats Tours

Tried to arrange for a scuba dive for about a week and he kept on disappearing. Tried to ask questions about location of dives, prices, availability - nothing. Then at the very last moment wrote an email quoting 200 euro for a dive and 125 euro for a snorkel. I know Polynesia is expensive but this is double of the standard price. We didn't go. Asked other guests at the hotel and they had similar experience. Maybe he is good as a dive master, but definitely bad at customer/business man. See more..
4.5 Marquises Diving Hiva Oa (15 reviews)
- Excursion in Tahuata
Scuba & Snorkelling • Day Trips

In March 16th I was in Hiva Oa and Humu was our guide to Tahuata island. He did an excellent job in the premise of Covid-19. Thank to him and Patrick, I discovered the importance of the Marquesan traditions. it was a great extension after visiting the Maori in NZ. Humu is a voice for his people. He has knowledge and interest. I had no choice than to shorten my trip in French Polynesia but I plan to return. See more..
4.5 Espace Jacques Brel (15 reviews)
- Brel sous les tropiques
Spent 1-2 hours History Museums

Petite salle qui abrite l'avion Jojo, expo constituée d'affiches qui illustrent quelques unes de ses chansons. Entrée gratuite. See more..
4.5 Hanakee Rental Bike (11 reviews)
- Loca-t-on velo
Spent More than 3 hours Gear Rentals

Electric bicycle rental See more..
4.5 Taioha'e Bay (9 reviews)
- Beautiful Natural Caldera
Bodies of Water

This is one of the most beautiful Bays we saw during the many islands we visited in French Polynesia. The water is a gorgeous blue and very calm. The setting is enhanced by the many sailboats and yachts that are anchored near the shore. We were on a cruise ship and it anchored in the mouth of the bay and then we took tenders into the dock. See more..
4.0 Gauguin Museum (156 reviews)
- Museum worth a look
Art Museums • History Museums

This museum pays tribute to the famous painter by displaying mementos and items related to his stay on the island of Hiva Oa and copies of his works. See more..