The impressive
Ua Pou boasts the famous basalt peaks that are featured on 500 XPF banknotes.
Ua Pou airport is located in the Aneou valley. The Twin Otter landing is special, but well worth the experience - thrills guaranteed. Ua Pou can also be reached by boat via the Aranui.
Hakahau's main valley is the administrative center and home to the island's main businesses. The Hakahau wharf is where the boats dock. Here, once every two weeks, the locals wait for goods from the Aranui.
Hakahau also boasts a magnificent church. It's the meeting place of the valley's population, who sing melodiously in the Marquesan language. The people of Ua Pou are extremely welcoming, not hesitating to approach visitors and help them out.
The incredible beauty of this exceptional island can be explored on foot or on horseback. Simone Bay, a fifteen-minute drive from Hakahau, is enchanting. Its long beach offers superb walks right down to the cliffs.
The Hoho'i Valley is not to be missed. Descending all the way, this valley leads to a magnificent bay where you can still find pebbles of “flowering stone”. The latter is a treasure found in only 2 places in the world, including Hoho'i. A handful of craftsmen in this valley work this naturally flowering stone into magnificent, priceless jewels.
Hoho'i also watches over Ua Pou's only Mea'e (ancient open-air sacred temple), which has been restored and in 2007 hosted the famous Marquesas Islands Arts Festival, an event not to be missed.
