How to get to the Marquesas Islands?

How to get to the Marquesas Islands? This is a question I have been asked many times, and one I often see on French Polynesia travel forums. Among all the Polynesian islands, the Marquesas are a name many people recognize, especially because of Jacques Brel and Paul Gauguin. These two famous French figures, a singer and a painter, are buried on the island of Hiva Oa. Some people even dream of living in the Marquesas Islands. Yet very few can actually place them on a map, even though the idea of traveling to the archipelago still captures the imagination.

For most people planning a trip to French Polynesia, the priority is often the classic route: the Society Islands with Bora Bora (for its beautiful fine-sand beaches on the motus, turquoise lagoons, and one or two nights in an overwater bungalow), Moorea (with its lagoon, coral reefs, and two perfect bays), a few days in the Tuamotu atolls (mainly Rangiroa and Fakarava for scuba diving, marine life, rays, turtles, snorkeling, and those incredible lagoons), and finally a few days in the Leeward Islands such as Raiatea or Huahine. The Marquesas, however, still feel like islands at the end of the world and, to me, remain a paradisiacal region to discover well off the beaten path.

The main island, and the largest in the Marquesas Archipelago, is Nuku Hiva, with its capital, Taiohae. Six islands in the archipelago are inhabited today. Four of them have a local airport, although there is no international airport. It is common to distinguish between the Northern Marquesas Islands (Ua Pou, Ua Huka, and Nuku Hiva) and the Southern Marquesas Islands (Hiva Oa, Tahuata, and Fatu Hiva). The island of Eiao is now uninhabited, as are the islands and islets of Hatutaa, Motu One, Moho Tani, Hatu Iti, and Motu Nao.

These South Pacific islands are a classic stopover for sailors on round-the-world voyages. My article on travel between the islands of French Polynesia may also help you plan your transfers from one island to another in the other Polynesian archipelagos.

The Marquesas Islands are an archipelago belonging to French Polynesia (and therefore to France), located about 1,500 km north of Tahiti, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, in Oceania. It is one of the five archipelagos of French Polynesia and one of my favorites, along with the Gambier Islands (Mangareva) and the Australes. This tropical archipelago is particularly well known for its role in the settlement of Easter Island. These volcanic islands are covered in lush vegetation and can feel like paradise on earth for hikers.

In this article, I explain, in a clear and practical way, how to get to the Marquesas Islands and how to travel from one island to another within the archipelago.

To take things a step further, we’ve also written a complete article covering the essentials about the Marquesas Islands: an overview of the islands, how to get there, what to do, why go, how to organize your trip, and more.

There are two main ways to get there: by plane, which is the most common option, or by boat.

Flying is obviously the easiest option and the one most travelers choose to reach the Marquesas. It is important to know that the archipelago is connected by flights from Tahiti, via Papeete. There are no direct international flights to the Marquesas Islands. Tahiti is the only gateway to these Pacific islands. From Tahiti, the two main islands of the archipelago, Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa, are regularly served. Find the cheapest flights to French Polynesia using this flight comparator. Several airlines serve Tahiti, including Air Tahiti Nui, Air France, French Bee, United, Alaska Airlines, Air New Zealand, and Aircalin, depending on your departure city.

To reach the other islands (Ua Pou / Ua Huka), you first need to land in Nuku Hiva or Hiva Oa. A flight from Tahiti to the Marquesas takes around 3 hours 15 minutes for Nuku Hiva or Hiva Oa, and about 4 hours for Ua Pou or Ua Huka.

This question comes up often: How do you fly to the Marquesas Islands? The local airline, Air Tahiti, operates several flights from Tahiti. The airline also offers a “Marquesas Pass” for Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa, as well as a “Marquesas Extension” if you want to add more islands under certain conditions. As for fares, the Marquesas Pass now starts at around €820 in low season, and you can download the latest full schedule from this Air Tahiti page.

Since February 2023, another Polynesian airline, Air Moana, has added a new option for inter-island travel. Its arrival was long awaited, and it is good to have an alternative, even though time will tell how firmly it establishes itself over the long term. In any case, it offers travelers another way to reach Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa from Tahiti. Depending on the dates, fares can often be around 60,000 / 65,000 XPF per person.

A special mention for the Marquesas airports, haha. It is good to know that, with the exception of Ua Huka, most airports are quite far from the main villages. Nuku Hiva airport is more than an hour’s drive from “Deserted Land,” in the far north of the island. Hiva Oa airport is also inland, about half an hour by car from Atuona, the main village. The same goes for Ua Pou. There is no regular airport shuttle in Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa, Ua Huka, or Ua Pou, so it is best to plan your transfer in advance with your accommodation, a taxi, or a rental car, depending on the island. In any case, the transfers are part of the experience, and you can enjoy some beautiful scenery along the way.

If you are wondering how to get to the Marquesas Islands, chances are you have also considered going by boat. It is possible, but you will need more time.

In theory, it is possible to reach the Marquesas by boat from elsewhere in French Polynesia. You simply need to find an operator willing to take you to the archipelago. Several options exist, and you will need to contact them directly for prices and availability. I know of Poe Charter and Tahiti Voile et Lagon, which may offer this type of trip.

As an indication, a one-week catamaran cruise in the Tuamotu Archipelago can cost around 100,000 to 120,000 XPF (€800 to €1,000). The Marquesas are much farther away, so you should expect a much higher budget.

It is also possible to arrive from international waters with your own boat. During the best season, many sailors head for the Marquesas Islands and take shelter in the Bay of Virgins (Baie des Vierges) on Fatu Hiva, in the Southern Marquesas, or in the famous Tahuku Bay on Hiva Oa.

Sailors often come from South America, for example from the Galapagos Archipelago in Ecuador, or from the Cook Islands, especially Rarotonga. The first island they encounter is often Fatu Hiva, a place well known among Pacific sailors. I must say that arriving by boat in the famous Baie des Vierges on Fatu Hiva is still a grandiose experience (having lived it myself). After months at sea, the feeling must be even stronger.

As with travel from French Polynesia, ask the local authorities about the administrative and customs formalities you need to complete when arriving in the Marquesas Islands.

Travelers heading to the Marquesas often choose to visit several islands in the archipelago. Here, I’ll share the key information you need to travel between them.

As for airports in the Marquesas, four of the six inhabited islands have one.

In the Southern Marquesas, only Hiva Oa has an airport. In the Northern Marquesas, all the inhabited islands have an airport: Nuku Hiva, Ua Pou, and Ua Huka.

Between the two main islands, Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa, there are usually at least one or even two flights a day. Things become more complicated as soon as you want to visit the other islands. Be sure to check with Air Tahiti before you leave, either through their flight schedule or by calling the agency.

Ua Pou and Ua Huka are not necessarily connected every day. Ua Pou is a little special because of its very short runway: only a Twin Otter (19 seats) can land there. Since I arrived in French Polynesia, the plane has been out of service fairly often. Be sure to check carefully before you leave that your flight is still operating. I spent a week on the island in 2019, and I have to say the arrival is impressive, landing in the mountains on an uphill runway (no, I’m not joking!).

If you are traveling to the Marquesas and want to visit several islands, including the two main ones, don’t hesitate to look into the Air Tahiti Pass, which can still save you money. I’ve written a full article on the best tips for saving money on your trip to Polynesia.

The Marquesas Pass starts at around €820 in low season and allows you to visit Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa. If you also want to visit the two islands without airports (Fatu Hiva and Tahuata, which I 100% recommend), you will need to take the local shuttle boat at your own expense (see the paragraph below).

It is of course possible to travel throughout the Marquesas Archipelago with your own boat. You can also usually ask locally and rent a local boat for the transfer if needed. Prices are negotiated directly with the service provider. Keep in mind that you may not be the only one trying to travel by boat between two islands. Ideally, either join a boat with locals or find other travelers who want to make the same crossing. That way, you can share the cost of the boat with everyone.

In the Southern Marquesas, you can use the communal shuttle boat to travel to Tahuata and Fatu Hiva. I personally remember arriving on Tahuata, and it was a very beautiful moment. I went there twice and loved it. There is even a small craft market in the main village selling wood carvings and whale bone pieces. The remoteness and change of scenery are real. Fatu Hiva feels even more distant, isolated, and preserved in my opinion. There is even an endemic bird on the island, which says a lot! It is green there, and the island is clearly well watered. Unfortunately, I did not have time to stay very long. If you can go, take the time to explore the interior of the island, which looked superb from what I saw. Depending on the season, many sailboats and ships stop here. Between you and me, life there really seems wonderfully gentle.

Here are the details of the communal shuttle rotations (times and prices) below.

Count around 8,000 XPF (€65) for a round trip from Hiva Oa to Tahuata, which is really inexpensive considering the journey (about 5 hours) and the fact that transportation is usually much more expensive in French Polynesia.

If you have the chance to travel to the Marquesas Islands, I recommend spending a few days on Tahuata and Fatu Hiva, which are both superb. I had the opportunity to spend one day on each island, and from what I saw, it was well worth the trip. A beautiful dose of authenticity, just the way I like it, far from the tourists of Bora Bora…

I’m taking the liberty in this article of adding a short aside about what to do and see in the Marquesas Islands. I don’t think I’ll write one detailed article on the subject, but rather island-by-island articles. So why discover this idyllic setting? I can think of many reasons to include the Marquesas on a trip to Tahiti, just as I would for discovering the island of Rapa, lost deep in the Australes Archipelago.

• I have seen people come to the islands on their honeymoon several times. So let me reassure you: forget the Intercontinental or Pearl Beach Hotel, white-sand beaches, coconut palms, turquoise waters (well, almost…), coral reef, overwater bungalows, and so on. That is not why people come to the Marquesas Islands. These islands are exceptional for their authenticity,
• The “Land of Men,” as the Marquesas are often called, is also famous for its culture. On each island, you will have the opportunity to discover at least one archaeological site, with petroglyphs, tiki, rock sculptures, ancient cemeteries, and more. It is also a chance to get a closer look at copra production (dried coconut), which is very interesting, and to taste breadfruit,
• But people also come to these small, remote islands in the South Pacific for their breathtaking natural beauty. On the program: steep basalt cliffs, exceptional views of the sea and the island peaks, spectacular roads climbing into the mountains, waterfalls, crystal-clear waters in places, black-sand beaches, and more. Lovers of the underwater world will also be delighted: manta rays, tropical fish, coral reefs, turtles, sharks, and so on.

Are you looking for more information about the Marquesas Islands?

I hope this article has helped you understand how to get to the Marquesas and how to get around during your trip. If you have any questions, feel free to leave me a comment at the bottom of the article. In any case, I wish you a wonderful trip to visit the Marquesas Archipelago. You will not regret it. The Marquesas Islands are magical and idyllic. To keep dreaming, come and read my top 10 things to do on Hiva Oa Island.

So, are you ready to come and discover this little island paradise?

Written by Sylvain PONS

From 2015 to 2021, French Polynesia was our home, with Mélanie and our children. I'm happy to share my experience and advice to help you organize an unforgettable stay in French Polynesia, based on my in-depth knowledge of the territory.

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