Taiohae Nuku Hiva

Your anchorage is in a perfect little horseshoe bay, with only a 5-10 minute tender journey to the dock in Taihoae, Nuka Hiva’s French Polynesian capital.

The tender dock is in the heart of Taiohae village, putting you in the downtown area on arrival.

A printable map is available to take along.

Nuku Hiva cruise schedule.

Nuku Hiva is the Marquesas Islands’ largest island. Taiohae, its main village, is a quiet port in the curve of a great bay, sheltered by two rocky promontories, and serves as the archipelago’s administrative and economic capital. The airport lies on the north-west coast opposite Taiohae; the car journey takes about 1h30 hour. Along the way, basaltic peaks and deep canyons invite daydreaming. This "land of men" seems to keep impenetrable secrets beneath lush vegetation: mysterious, indescribable, yet real. Nuku Hiva remains an unspoiled island with spell-binding…

• The cathedral in Taiohae.
• Muake Hill, with a panoramic view over Taiohae harbor.
• Hakaui Waterfall reaches 350 meters in height.
• Anaho Bay, with excellent beaches.
• Paeke archaeological site.
• Marine activities and excursions include a boat trip along the cliffs and scuba diving.
• Land based activities include guided horse riding, four wheel drive safari and visits to archaeological sites.
• Do not swim: shark attacks are a danger.

Roads are rough, so either hire a 4by4 or take an excursion using one.

Tahiti’s popular products include black pearls, tiare and coconut soaps, monoi oil, vanilla beans, shell leis, wood carvings, woven hats and baskets, plus colourful hand dyed pareu fabric worn by island natives. Visitors favour the public market. Shops typically open around 7:30am and close at 5:30pm, or Noon on Saturdays, with a long lunch hour; outside hotels, they are usually closed on Sundays.

Haggling or bargaining over market and store prices is not customary.

The equivalent of 1000 CFP francs is 8.38 euros.

The official languages are French and Tahitian.