Three days in Ua Huka

Sometimes visible from Nuku Hiva, Ua Huka has some of the driest and wildest countryside in the Marquesas Islands. Desert-like plateaus where wild horses gallop and goats graze, a preserved natural setting, a large rocky motu… Ua Huka is a surprising and authentic island where you feel at one with nature. To help you discover this special corner of French Polynesia, here are some suggestions for a three-day break.

Day 1

Although Ua Huka is one of the smallest of the Marquesas Islands, it has the biggest number of museums. The most important is the Musée communal et archéologique at Vaipaee on the Te Tumu site. The pieces on display include warrior spears and clubs, wooden dishes, model outrigger canoes, tiki, large totem poles, tapa beaters… An interesting insight into the island’s past.

Day 1

Continue your cultural tour with visits to some of the island’s archeological sites, including the petroglyphs of Vaikivi and the three superb tiki at Hane and some of the numerous various paepae (stone platforms) on the island. Ua Huka is also home to the oldest archeological site in the Marquesas Islands at Meiaute. A guide will make sure that you don’t miss any of the most important sites.

Day 2

Ua Huka is known as the island of horses and it’s easy to see why. There are horses everywhere, galloping across the cliff tops and beaches and grazing in the fields and plains. Beginners and accomplished riders have a large choice of excursions on horseback.

There are seven circuits, all of which leave from Vaipaee and include treks to almost all the valleys: Hane, Haavei, Vaikivi, Hatuana, Haeokaha and Hokatu. The magnificent panoramic views over the island and the ocean, add to the pleasures of being on horseback. More experienced and adventurous riders can take a bivouac excursion over two days. A memorable experience on an unforgettable island..

Day 3

The arboretum at Papuakeiha was created in the 1980s and spreads over 60 acres. It contains hundreds of different varieties of citrus fruit trees from all over the world, including Corsica, Mexico and Polynesia. A veritable fruit cocktail of pink and yellow grapefruit, oranges, lemons, limes and mangoes.

Day 3

After a morning in the orchard, spend the afternoon on the black pebble beach in the bay of Hane. In the middle of the bay is motu Hane, a coral islet in the shape of a sugarloaf. Sometimes, from the scenic viewpoints high up on the rock you can see manta rays swimming in the sea below. It is a favorite spot for local families.

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