12 days itinerary - Marquesas islands
Day 0
Arrival of the yacht in Nuku Hiva for clearance/fuel/provisioning. The local yacht agent will help for clearance and other shore arrangements.
Day 1
Arrival of guests at Nuku Hiva airport. Helicopter flight (7 mns) to Taiohae village and boarding. Afternoon visit of the "capital" of the Marquesas (very interesting cathedral with local woodcarving decoration).
Day 2
Day trip by dinghy to Daniel's bay, 3 miles W of Taiohae. Take on good shoes for a bush trip to the highest waterfall in all French Polynesia (3 hours return). Meet Daniel, the local bushman, who keeps records of all yachts visiting since ages.
Day 3
Depart to Taipivai valley, where Herman Melville wrote his book "Taipee".
Sail around Nuku Hiva East coast to Anaho, Lunch in Anaho bay.
Sail to Hatiheu bay for the night. Diner ashore chez "Yvonne", local character.
Enjoy the Marquesian typical dance show with famous "pig dance".
Day 4
Sail around Nuku Hiva North coast to Ua Pou island. Beautiful scenery with sugar loaf mountains. Best anchorage is in the capital, Hakahau bay, or on the West coast, Hakatao. Enjoy a Marquesian Kaikai (traditional meal) on the beach.
Day 5
Sail to Ua Uka and land in the Invisible bay, Vaipaee bay. Great anchorage except with South swells (rare).
Day 6
Visit the archeological museum and botanical garden called "Arboretum". Ua Huka has seen many archeologists dig its soil for thousand years old remains.
Day 7
Sail to Hane bay, the land of wild horses. Afternoon depart to South island group.
Day 8
Arrive in Tahuata, Vaitahu bay. Visit the village and monuments celebrating the French taking over of this island, the first in the South Pacific (in 1842).
Day 9
Sail to Hiva Oa island. Atuona village has a typical Marquesian atmosphere and offers very interesting landmarks including a reconstitution of Gauguin's house and pain tings. Also visit the cemetery with the graves of Paul Gauguin and Belgium singer Jacques Brel.
Meet a friendly driver for a local guided tour or other arrangements.
Day 10
Sail to Fatu hiva and anchor in world famous "Virgin bay" (hanavave). The unique colors of this land’s end seem to gather in one magical spot.
Day 11
For good walkers, walk to southern Omoa bay - Sail to Omoa bay. Artcraft (Woodcarving, tapa cloth,...) in Fatu hiva is really good.
Day 12
Return to Hiva Oa and disembark guests bound for Papeete Int'l airport.
