Nuku Hiva

travel wonder in the Marquesas Islands in Polynesia

Why Nuku Hiva
in the Marquesas Islands
in Polynesia is special

Nuku Hiva is blessed with a magnificent setting. The remote island has rugged volcanic topography covered with verdant tropical foliage - and lofty waterfalls.

Tips & insights

on Nuku Hiva

The Anuii waterfall plummets 350 meters (1150 feet), making it one of the world's tallest.

Most of the coastline is rugged. Mountains meet the sea.

The main village hugs the lovely Bay of Taiohae. It's ensconced on the floor of a sizeable sloping volcanic caldera. One side rises 850 meters (2800 feet) behind the village, creating an awesome backdrop. The other side rests below the sea.

About 2,500 people live in Nuku Hiva, the capital of the remote Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia.

Fans of the television series "Survivor" may remember that Nuku Hiva was one of its yearly locations.

Some travelers reach Nuku Hiva by sea. Your options include voyaging on private yachts, cruise ships, and the passenger-freighter Aranui 3.

Or, you can fly to Nuka Hiva from Tahiti. On arrival, be prepared for a 2-hour journey over dirt (occasionally rough) roads to Taiohae, Nuku Hiva's tourist center.

Nuku Hiva was once home to cannibals. Moby Dick author Herman Melville was captured and feasted (to fatten him up for a meal). Melville caught on and escaped.

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French Polynesia Map

The largest concentration of the Polynesia medal winners are in French Polynesia. The map below shows the locations of the 5 island groups - and those islands that earned a medal or made my honorable mention list.

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

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

©2008 HQP / Hillman Quality Publications