For remote island travel, the Marquesas Islands is the most remote archipelago in the world. Lying roughly half way between South America and Australia these spectacular islands have long been a welcome sight for sailors crossing the Pacific Ocean. After 20 -30 days of being at sea , the Marquesas represent the first stop over point in French Polynesia. Thankfully, reaching these far flung remote island travel shores is much easier for us. A short 3-hour domestic flight from Tahiti’s capital Papeete has us touching down in the main island of Nuka Hiva. Stepping off the plane you immediately know you’ve entered a different world; the landscape is towering and Jurassic in appearance. The airstrip is located on the sparsely populated north side of the Island, and we hop in a four wheel drive and the adventure begins. It’s an hour drive along a winding and ascending road over a 1200 meter mountain range and down the other side to the sleepy village of Taioha’e , which is the capital of the Marquesas and also the largest port in the Islands.
Our home for the next 10 days is a 60 foot catamaran, Aquatiki 2. She’s the perfect vessel to cruise through the islands and to launch our daily kayaking and hiking excursions. Aquatiki is well set up as a comfortable floating home but also as an adventure boat, she’ll carry and house our kayaks for the length of the trip, she’s also set up for snorkeling and diving excursions and comes with a certified and knowledgeable dive instructor.
Not long after a delicious lunch we lift anchor, hoist the sails and head off, excitement is at an all-time high. There’s something special about sailing out of a harbour knowing that the days ahead will be filled with adventure, exploration and wonder. Sailing along the south shore we gain an appreciation for the grandeur of the Islands, basalt columns tower above us and sheer cliffs rise straight up out of the ocean. It’s jaw droppingly beautiful, a landscape unlike anywhere else on the planet.
Our first stop is Hakaui Bay one of the world’s most beautiful anchorages. The bay’s calm waters provide a great place for our first paddle, it’s also the starting point of a 10 km hike to Vaipo Falls a 350m cascade that ends in a small pool which is accessible through the stunning Vaipo canyon. The hike starts by following an ancient road littered with stone sculptures and platforms built by an ancient civilization prior to Western contact. As we head deeper into the hills, the sheer walls and pinnacles close in and the scenery becomes more and more spectacular . We reach the base of the falls, granting us a refreshing swim surrounded by 300m sheer cliffs.
It’s quite a start to the trip and sets the bar high for the remaining days as we cruise south through the Islands. Our plan for the trip is to move through the archipelago stopping at several Islands until we reach Hiva Oa. Each island offers something different, but always boasts spectacular scenery. Nuka Hiva’s north coast is renowned for its beautiful beaches and calm bays, providing excellent kayaking and snorkeling opportunities. While kayaking or sailing in Nuka Hiva we’re often joined by huge pods of Spinner and Bottle nose Dolphins as well Melon-Headed Whales. All of them love riding Aquatiki’s bow wave for kilometers.
Marquesas Islands Sailing & Hiking Expedition
Ua Pou is known as the cathedral Island because of its numerous basalt spires that soar into the sky and dominate the landscape around the Island. This remote island travel destination is also known for its friendly locals who take great pride in their history and traditions. They are happy to showcase their unique carving techniques and materials while putting on a traditional lunch and dance. Time spent getting to know the locals enriches our experience and grants us a new appreciation for the place, as we kayak along the ruggedly beautiful West Coast and hike through Hakahetau village to a spectacular and refreshing waterfall.
An overnight sail and we’re greeted with a sunrise view over Hiva Oa. As the second largest island in the Marquesas it has one of French Polynesia’s best archaeological sites, Lipona. It’s numerous stone sculptures, petroglyphs and tikis are displayed as we wander around this 2 hectare site. Our local guide explains the significance of each artifact and helps to paint a picture of what life was like for the ancient people living here.
After an incredible sunset paddle along the north coast of Hiva Oa we make a short transit onboard Aquatiki pulling into Hapatoni Bay on the wild and remote island of Tahuata.
This quaint bay and peaceful village also offer some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Marquesas. The peace and tranquility of this place soothe us, with the distant sound of birds and waves lapping against the shore.
Days meld into one another and unfortunately all good things must come to an end, it’s Day 10 and we’ve anchored in the black sand bay of Atuona on Hiva Oa. It’s been an incredible journey, we’ve sailed more than 200km and explored several islands. Each remote island travel day has brought something new, something spectacular and something interesting. We’ve learnt about how the Marquesas people live, how they survive and how these rugged, dramatic islands have shaped their beliefs and their culture.
Captain Greg and the crew shuttle us and our bags to the harbour where taxis take us to the airport. It’s a sad farewell as we have all become good friends. As we take off and slowly gain altitude we can see Aquatiki sitting calmly at anchor. We say goodbye to the Marquesas and wish there were more remote island travel places in the world as incredible as these wild and remote islands.
Remote Island Travel: The Marquesas Islands, How Remote Are They?
The Marquesas Islands group is one of the most remote island travel destinations in the world. It lies about 1,370 kilometres (850 mi) northeast of Tahiti and about 4,800 kilometres (3,000 mi) southwest of Mexico (the nearest continental land mass). It is thought to have been formed by a centre of upwelling magma, called the Marquesas hotspot.
Remote Island Travel: Frequently Asked Questions