Fatu Hiva

travel wonder in the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia

Why Fatu Hiva

in the Marquesas Islands

in Polynesia is special

Fatu Hiva attracts adventure travelers for its refreshing isolation and lush tropical, craggy landscape. The Bay of Virgins (see photo) is the highlight.

Tips & insights

on Fatu Hiva

Fatu Hiva (also spelled Fatu Iva) is the southernmost island of the remote Marquesas Islands group in French Polynesia.

It has no landing strip. Except for a rare helicopter, boats are the only means of access. Your options include a short stop off a cruise ship or private yacht - or from the Aranui passenger-freighter, which calls once every three weeks.

The village harbors in Omoa and Hanavave are minuscule. Sometimes they are crowded with yachts, forcing would-be visitors to sail away without stepping foot on Fatu Hiva. Rough seas and strong gusts are other nautical barriers.

The Norwegian Thor Heyerdral (of Kon-Tiki fame) and his newlywed wife lived primitively on Fatu Hiva in Polynesia for over a year in the 1930s. He relates his initial bliss and eventual disillusionment in his Back to Nature book.

Fatu Hiva is the remains of two calderas of once mighty volcanoes.

It is thinly populated. Fatu Hiva has barely 600 inhabitants. They are exceptionally warm and welcoming to visitors.

Accommodations in Fatu Hiva are limited and mainly consist of pensions.

The two best bring-home crafts are traditional wood carvings and topa cloths (beaten bark painted with intricate tattoo-like drawings).

French Polynesia Map

Many of the Polynesia medal winners are in French Polynesia, a territory of France. My map locates the five island groups - and the islands that either won a medal or made my honorable mention list.

I hope your Polynesia travel dreams come true - and that my

Fatu Hiva page helps you enjoy your Marquesas Islands vacation, tour or trip

©2008 HQP / Hillman Quality Publications