The Marquesas: The Mysterious Islands

The Marquesas islands are located about 930 miles northeast of Tahiti. The six inhabited islands and six unpopulated islands offer some of the most dramatic scenery and true Polynesian experiences to be found. These islands have no lagoons, but offer dense jungles with 1,100-foot-high waterfalls and sheer cliffs. There are only five flights a week from Tahiti – about a 3 1/2 hour journey – and some visitors opt to arrive via the Aranui, a working cargo/copra ship that accommodates 100 passengers. The Marquesas is where Herman Melville jumped ship, Paul Gauguin came to paint and retire and numerous authors attempted to convey the riches of this rugged paradise. The most populated islands of Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa offer lodging in small hotels and pensions.