Why Ua Pou
in the Marquesas Islands
in Polynesia is special

Ua Pou has a stunning landscape. Natural spires - remnants of ancient volcanoes - dramatically rise from the mountainous center of the island (see photo). One summit soars 1200 meters or 4,000 feet above sea level.

Ua Pou
tips and insights

Getting there

Reaching Ua Pou from Tahiti is not a piece of cake. Scheduled air service is infrequent. And, the Aranui 3 cargo/passenger ship leaves Tahiti for Ua Pou on a once-every-three-week schedule.

Simple lifestyle

Once here, don't expect comfy accommodations, or a bevy of fellow tourists to befriend, or stretches of soft-sand beaches, or a network of inter-village roads for exploring the land by vehicle. The lifestyle is simple, uncomplicated and laid back. This is part of Ua Pou's appeal to adventure travelers.

Most visually striking

Thanks to its eye-catching spired skyline, Ua Pou is the most visually striking member of French Polynesia's Marquesas (mahr-kay'-suhz) Island group. Ua Pou is mainly blanketed with lush tropical foliage, though there are some bare, rocky volcanic slopes.

People and culture

Ua Pou is thinly settled - barely 2,000 live here. The cultural offerings include native music-and-dance performances. Traditional woodcarvings are also part of the ancient culture.

More Polynesia tips and insights

French Polynesia

French Polynesia - Intro
Bora Bora
Moorea
Nuku Hiva
Fatu Hiva
Ua Pou

Hawaii

Hawaii Volcanoes NP
Na Pali Coast
Waimea Canyon

Other Polynesian areas

Easter Island
Aitutaki  Cook Islands
Upolu  Western Samoa
Vava'u  Tonga

More Polynesia pages

Polynesia wonder map
French Polynesia map & tips
Interesting facts and tidbits
Polynesia photo gallery
Gauguin painting gallery

 

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