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Joining us
in Nuku-Hiva

Nuku-Hiva is one of the 6 inhabited islands of the Marquesas. This group of islands located 1,500 km northeast of Tahiti, forms one of the 5 archipelagos of French Polynesia. With a surface area of 1,050 km² spread over approximately 700,000 km² of maritime space, the Marquesas are a veritable open-air museum.

Due to the size of French Polynesia, each archipelago is subject to very specific types of climate. The Marquesas Islands are outside the Cyclonic zone. The climate of the archipelago is considered to be humid tropical or even arid tropical on the northern islands. The seasons are much less marked than in the other archipelagos.

We can still observe a seasonal cycle:

  • The Southern summer, or hot season, which extends from December to June.
  • The Southern winter, or cool season, which extends from July to November.

This archipelago is generally subject to the trade winds. The climate is characterized by moderate precipitation, warm temperatures and good sunshine.

Nuku Dive

Mystical and unforgettable, the island of Nuku-Hiva is the capital of the archipelago. It seduces with its green cliffs streaked with waterfalls, its plateaus, its valleys and its archaeological sites. Its multiple landscapes are powerful and its charm captivating. With an area of 387 km², it is also the largest of the Marquesan islands.

It is served by “Air Tahiti” and “Air Moana” daily from Tahiti. An additional baggage allowance of 5 kg is granted to divers by “Air Tahiti” upon presentation of proof (diving certification card).

South of Nuku-Hiva, Taiohae Bay is formed by a volcanic crater where Taiohae, the main village of the island, lays. It is the central port of the Marquesas, the first island and the arrival point for boats from America and Tahiti. Taiohae brings together the administrative, economic, medical and educational center of the Marquesas Islands.

With a raw and wild nature, Nuku-Hiva is inhabited by a smiling and generous people, rich in their own language and culture. The change of scenery is total.

Accommodation and activities

The majority of tourist accommodation (hotel/resort, guesthouses and AirBnB) and facilities (restaurants, food stores, markets crafts, banking, etc.) are located in Taiohae.

It is the main starting point for Nuku Dive's hiking, equestrian, nautical, 4x4 and also underwater excursions. Activities to discover the culture, fauna and flora of the island are abundant.. In Taiohae, it is also possible to rent an all-terrain vehicle and electrically assisted mountain bikes. With local artisans, visitors immerse themselves in art, sculpture, traditional Marquesan dances and the meaning of tattoos.

To find out more, you can visit the "Destination Marquises" website.

Nuku Dive