Marquesas

Hello - I am planning to use a Marquesas Pass for a week (7 nights). 2 nights Nuku Hiva, 3 nights Hiva Oa and 1 night each Ua Huka and Ua Pou. Note that most of the inter-island flights operate between 10 AM and 1 PM so that may only give me "2 half days" on Ua Pou and Ua Huka. Example flying into Ua Huka 1PM and leaving the next morning at 10AM.

Is there much to see in Ua Huka or should I spend the extra day in Nuku Hiva or Ua Pou? I'm looking more for scenery than experience.

Thanks

Bosboy,
Oh boy...what a choice. You're using a local Taxi/SUV?? I was on Nuku Hiva in 2010. I personally would get to the Northeast side of NukuHiva from the Airport, ie to the teeny Northeast Coast village of Hatiheu for a day; it's where Herman Melville jumped ship. Just a few Km South up into the jungle from Hatiheu is very significant ancient Polynesian ruins. Yvonne's Place in Hatiheu is straight out of my 'South Seas Dream' of what an island seaside dining experience should be. Remember, the West side of the Island of NukuHiva is dry and brown, one must go East for the Views and scenery. The island's main Port/Town of Taiohae is not of scenic import compared to the Northeast Coast near Haitheu in my opinion. Island of Uo Pou is arid. Hope this helps a little. Locomotiveman Tom

Hi Tom - Thanks for the reply.

Ha! It's the Air Tahiti airpass. Like an interisland Taxi I s'pose.

I have decided to skip 'Ua Huka but I'll keep the day on 'Ua Pou. I have the option of spending 2.5 days on Nuku Hiva AND 2.5 on Hiva Oa, or 1.5 on Nuku Hiva and 3.5 on Hiva Oa. I just wanted to give myself a little more time on Hiva Oa so I might be able to visit a small island close to it. The "0.5"s are because as I said before, flights are in the morning or during the day so this only gives me half days at the beginning or end on each island.

But if Nuku Hiva really has a lot to offer and I would need more time to get a better experience, I think I'll spend 2.5 and 2.5. Any thoughts?

By now, you've probably been there.

I think all the islands are great including Tahuata, Ua Huka and Ua Pou. You cannot make a mistake. I don't know of the availability of transport on the smaller islands. The Aranui 3 had arranged for transportation. The islanders own pick-up trucks and they were made available by the Aranui. In Tahuata we walked from the pier to the village.

Ask at the rental car agency, in stores, at the post office etc. when you are in Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa. I am pretty sure that everybody knows everybody else's business - literally.