“A truly extraordinary adventure” - Ellen P.
Tahiti Kayaking Adventure – Marquesas Islands Sailing & Hiking Expedition
- Tahiti
- 10 Days
- 1/5 Difficulty
- 2/5 Difficulty
- 3/5 Difficulty
- 4/5 Difficulty
- 5/5 Difficulty
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Trip Details
Destination
Season
Duration
Next available dates
- February 16 - 25, 2027
Trip Type
Difficulty
Price
Sail, Paddle, and Hike Through the Wild Heart of French Polynesia
The Marquesas Islands rise from the middle of the Pacific in walls of volcanic rock — a rugged, spectacular archipelago that feels worlds away from modern civilization. Towering basalt spires, sheer volcanic cliffs and lush green valleys plunge dramatically into the Pacific, creating an extraordinary landscape that is as wild as it is beautiful. Our 10-day expedition takes us deep into this remote corner of the world, exploring four islands by kayak, sail, and on foot.
Our spacious 60-foot catamaran, Aquatiki 2, is both our floating basecamp and our gateway between islands. From its deck, we’ll sail across the Pacific whenever conditions allow, launching our kayaks into sheltered bays and paddling beneath 1,000-metre spires and along rugged coastlines dotted with black-sand beaches. On land, we’ll hike ancient trails through jungle valleys, swim beneath spectacular waterfalls, and climb to panoramic viewpoints. Snorkel with manta rays, dolphins, sharks, and an abundance of marine life, and let an onboard chef turn the day’s catch into a proper feast back on deck.
But what makes the Marquesas truly special is the chance to connect with the people and history of these remote islands. We’ll visit archaeological sites adorned with ancient tiki sculptures, see petroglyphs left by Marqueas’ first inhabitants, explore traditional villages, meet local artisans and share meals with Marquesan families. This is adventure travel in its purest form: a journey where every day brings a new landscape, a new story, and a deeper connection to one of the most extraordinary places on Earth.
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Trip highlights
Kayak Beneath Thousand-Metre Basalt Spires
The Marquesas coastline is a kayaker’s dream, with enormous basalt cliffs and volcanic spires rising dramatically from the Pacific. We’ll paddle along rugged, cliff-lined coastlines, and explore calm, protected bays and secluded beaches that are inaccessible by road. Depending on conditions, there are opportunities to venture into sea caves, weave between dramatic rock formations and simply enjoy the incredible clarity of the tropical water. With the catamaran following our progress, we can explore a wide variety of coastline without carrying expedition loads in our kayaks.
Hike to Ancient Sites and Hidden Waterfalls
The interior of the Marquesas is every bit as spectacular as its coastline. We’ll leave the kayaks behind to hike deep into lush volcanic valleys, following ancient trails once used by Marquesan royalty. Along the way, we’ll encounter archaeological sites, dramatic mountain scenery and waterfalls tucked deep within the jungle. One of the highlights is the hike into Hakaui Valley towards Vaipo Waterfall, where towering basalt peaks surround a refreshing swimming hole — an unforgettable way to experience the wild interior of Nuku Hiva.
Snorkel and Dive With Manta Rays
Manta rays and reef sharks are regular company beneath the surface here, and a certified dive master is onboard for certified divers who want to go deeper. Above the water, the sightings keep coming — frigates, terns, and noddies wheel overhead along the rugged coastline, while pods of spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and melon-headed whales are often spotted riding the bow wave as our comfortable 60-foot catamaran carries us between islands.
Discover Marquesan Culture & History
With no airstrips and barely any roads between villages, life in the outer Marquesas moves at its own pace — and this trip is built to let you into it. Share a traditional feast with a local family, wander laid-back villages lined with century-old tamanu trees, and learn from artisans transforming local stone into sculpture. Then it’s back to the catamaran for a proper meal, a cold drink, and a front-row seat as the sun sets over the next island.
Itinerary
Pick up from Nuka Hiva airport
Start this Tahiti sea kayaking trip with a pick up from Nuka Hiva airport, 1 hour transfer across the top of the island to Taiohae village. The drive is spectacular and we’ll stop at several view point to take it in. Board the Catamaran and move into your cabin. Orientation and safety briefing. Afternoon paddle in Taiohae bay and along the coast to Hakatea Bay. Anchor in Hakatea Bay for the night.
Hike deep into the awe-inspiring Hakaui Valley
Hike deep into the awe-inspiring Hakaui Valley to Vaipo Waterfall the highest in French Polynesia and third highest in the world. We’ll follow an ancient royal road once used King Te Moana and Queen Vaekehu passing numerous ancient sites and ruins. The landscape in this valley is nothing short of spectacular as the valley slices through the basalt interior of the island. The hike finishes at a refreshing swimming hole at the base of Vaipo falls surrounded by towering basalts peaks and spires. On the way back we’ll stop off at a local family’s house and be treated to a traditional lunch. In the afternoon we’ll set sail and transit around the north coast of Nuka Hiva and anchor in beautiful Anaho Bay.
Hatiheu Bay
In the morning we’ll leave the peaceful waters of Anaho Bay and paddle around to Hatiheu Bay. The coastline on this paddle is absolutely stunning. The Catamaran will follow us and we’ll meet it out of the front of Hatiheu village. After lunch onboard we’ll go to shore and visit this pretty and friendly village. We’ll then hike up to Teavairaoaoa Pass granting exceptional views of Anaho Bay. Descending along a steep winding track into Anaho Bay we’ll enjoy a pleasant swim before continuing the hike over to Haatuatua Bay, this easy 30 minute scroll takes us to one of the most beautiful beaches in the Marquesas a long yellow sand beach framed by spectacular basalt peaks.
Ua Pou island
We’ll leave Anaho Bay early and make the 4 hour transit down to the island of Ua Pou. We hope to see Melon Headed Whales and Spinner Dolphins along the transit they are frequently seen on the East Coast of Nuka Hiva.
The relatively small island of Ua Pou is dominated by 12 spectacular basalt pinnacles which soar to a height of 1200 meters, the highest point in the Marquesas. After the transit we’ll anchor in front of Hakahetau Village. In the afternoon we’ll hike up through the village and follow a jungle track along a river finishing with a refreshing dip at stunning waterfall. A short sunset sail will see us transit around to the West Coast of Ua Pou to a beautiful and calm anchorage.
Towering sea cliffs
We’ll paddle along the rugged and beautiful West Coast of the island. This coastline is dominated by towering sea cliffs, punctuated by cute Marquesas villages. There are extensive bird colonies along this coastline with large populations of Frigates, Terns and Noddies. There’s also excellent snorkeling opportunities and we’ll stop half way along the coast to explore the underwater world, quite often we’re snorkeling with Manta Rays or small sharks. In the evening we’ll transit around to Hakahau the largest settlement on the island.
Today we’ll be joined by a couple locals from Ua Pou, they’ll be our guides and show us around the island. Heading into the spectacularly rugged interior of the island a landscape dominated by the 12 basalt pillars that loom overhead constantly. We’ll make several stops at viewpoints to take in the majesty of the island before visiting some local artisans and learn how to find rare stones on the island and transform them into the stunning pieces of art that Marquesas are known for, there are several opportunities on the trip to purchase these art pieces directly from the locals. After a massive traditional buffet lunch in the village of Hakatao we’ll head back to Hakahau village and prepare for our overnight transit to Hiva Oa.
We’ll wake up in the Puamau Bay. The village of Puamau sits on a coastal plain, backgrounded by a massive amphitheater of mountains. There’s definitely a special feeling to this place. It’s home to one of the most extensive and best preserved archaeological sites in French Polynesia. Lipona is a huge religious sanctuary or Meae. It covers almost 2 hectares and features numerous stone sculptures, petroglyphs and Tikis. We’ll go ashore in the morning and walk up to Iipona, aided by a local guide who will share valuable insights as we explore this fascinating historical site. In the afternoon we’ll transit around to the incredibly picturesque Hanatekuua Bay for a swim and a snorkel.
After breakfast we’ll go to shore and hike up to Hanahaoe Pass, along the way there are superb views in all directions. Returning to the beach we’ll have a refreshing dip. After lunch we’ll load into the kayaks and paddle along the stunning north coast of Hiva Oa, there are a number of small bays to explore along way, as the sun starts setting we’ll get back onto the Catamaran and transit down to the island of Tahuata.
Tahuata is the little sister to Hiva Oa, with little infrastructure and no airstrip it feels even wilder than the larger islands to the north. We’ll wake up in Hapatoni Bay. This lovely bay features some of the best snorkelling in the Marquesas, Manta Rays are often seen here as are large pods of spinner dolphins. The small village is lined with 100 year old Tamanu trees, it has a very laid-back, easy going feel which beckons for a stroll. In the afternoon we’ll paddle north along the coast exploring the many bays. As the sun starts setting we’ll get back in board the Catamaran and make the short transit back to Hiva Oa.
Departure day, after breakfast we take a short dinghy ride to Atuona village where we’ll meet the taxi to the airport.
End of trip.
Trip Map
Accommodation
About the Accommodation
Our home for this trip is a well-appointed, spacious and comfortable Catamaran – Aquatiki 2. At over 18m long and 6 meters wide there’s plenty of space. She boasts a large dining table both inside and outside as well as a large inside lounge and 2 covered outside sitting areas. We aim to sail as much as possible but when there’s no wind Aquatiki calls on its two 38 Horsepower engines allowing it to cruise at 8 knots comfortably.
Key Features
There are 220 volt outlets throughout the boat including in the cabins.
Starlink system is onboard with full internet access
A dedicated ice machine for cocktail hour
A desalinator produces 190 litres of freshwater per hour with a 1000 litre water tank.
A medium-sized bar fridge dedicated to beers, soft drinks and cocktails
There are 4 guest cabins, each cabin has a private ensuite with toilet, sink and shower.
Air conditioning in all the cabins as well as fans and hatches
Hot water on demand both in the cabins and on the back deck
The boat is fully set up for scuba diving and has a dedicated dive guide
Aquatiki has a full-sized tender that can take 14 people with a 90-horsepower outboard
Meals
There’s a chef onboard who cooks up delicious meals which mostly consist of fresh fruit, locally caught fish, shrimp and lobster but balances it out with a couple of chicken and beef meals.
The skipper is very experienced and goes above and beyond to make the trip as special as possible.
Currently Unavailable
2027 Dates
February 5 – 14
€6,000 Euros p/p
Full
February 16 – 25
€6,000 Euros p/p
2 spots available
2028 Dates
February 4 – 17
€6,000 Euros p/p
Full
February 19 – 28
€6,000 Euros p/p
Availability
What’s included
- 10 days and 9 nights onboard a comfortable catamaran
- All meals while on trip
- 1 dedicated captain, first mate and chef
- 1 western kayak guide
- full fleet of kayaks consisting of 3 doubles and 3 singles
- all kayaking gear
- Airport Transfers
Not included
- All flights
- Personal Travel Insurance
- Alcohol
- Surcharge for Scuba Diving
- Hotels and transfers in Papeete
Weather
The Marquesas Islands sit close to to the equator, and the Islands in the South-East have the most rainfall, while the Islands in the North West are considered semi-arid. The temperatures throughout the year vary between 24 to 31 degrees celsius, and the water temperature hovers around 28 degrees year round. The dry and calm season is November to March, but rainfall amounts vary between islands even during the dry season.
Activities
Kayaking
Our main mode of exploration during this trip will be kayaking. Depending on the weather each day, we will explore protected bays or more exposed and rugged coastlines. The basalt nature of these islands offers the potential for sea caves and arches and lots of rock hopping. We will land on remote, black sand beaches and enjoy swims in the tropical water of Tahiti!
Hiking
The hiking on the Marquesas Islands is not to be missed, as the view from the tops of the mountain spines are incredible! With a maximum of 1200m of elevation gain, the view points are a marvel as we peer over the steep valleys, the volcanic cones, and the pacific ocean rolling past these islands. There are several waterfalls we can Hiking allows us the opportunity to visit local villages and experience culturally significant sites filled with tiki sculptures.
Scuba Diving and Snorkelling
The Marquesas has very little fringing reef however the snorkelling and scuba diving is quite good. Often we’ll snorkel or dive with Manta Rays, Sharks or large schools of fish.
Scuba Diving is only offered to certified divers. There is a certified dive master onboard who runs the scuba diving program, all diving equipment is provided for a surcharge.
Other Activities
The Marquesas is home to wild horses, and the local people have integrated the horse into their culture and lives. Horseback riding is an optional activity for those interested.
FAQs
The dry season In Marquesas Islands runs from November to March. Temperatures are generally 25 to 30 deg C. Winds are moderate to light with occassional afternoon showers.
Yes but we’ve only ever seen black tip reef sharks, there are reports of Hammerhead sharks but they are quite rare.
We have 3 double kayaks and 3 single kayaks. All kayaks are high end, plastic kayaks built in Europe. They are not sit-on-top kayaks, they are proper expedition sea kayaks. They all have front and rear hatches, 2 bulkheads and a rudder.
Yes there are several opportunities to purchase genuine carvings and sculptures during the trip directly from the artist.
Yes there is Starlink on the boat. There’s a 25 Euro p/p surcharge to access it. But it does allow for high speed internet while on trip.
Yes in many of the anchorages and all of the towns there is phone service. There is 4G in all the villages. It’s recommended that you get a local SIM card in Papeete with the provider VINI. The SIM card costs about $8USD and comes with enough data to see you through the trip.
All the cabins are air-conditioned however to run the air conditioning we must use the generator so we normally run it for an hour or two at night before going to sleep and during mid-day naps.
Yes we can cater to all dietary restrictions, our onboard chef makes amazing meals and will do her best to cater to all dietary needs.
Yes but not much, once on trip everything is paid for. However you will need money for the following – alcohol and soft drinks which can be purchased from the boat, scuba diving (optional), internet (optional), carvings and sculptures, crew tips – we recommend $100 – $200 USD p/p.
We will put up the sails whenever possible. However it’s not always possible.
Participation in any trip is subject to each participant reading and signing our Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Assumption of Risks and Indemnity Agreement and any additional waivers that are trip specific (the “Waiver(s)”). If the Waiver(s) are not completed, participation in the trip will not be permitted. PLEASE READ THE WAIVER(S) CAREFULLY! By signing, you will waive or give up certain legal rights, including the right to sue for negligence, breach of contract, or breach of any Occupiers Liability Act or claim compensation following an accident.
The Waivers are provided for review and completion at the time of booking.The Waivers are provided for review and completion at the time of booking. A sample of our Waiver can be reviewed here.
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