Fatu-Hiva

Fatu-Hiva is a rugged island in the southern Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia, known for steep valleys and remote, low-density settlement. It is part of the Marquesas archipelago and is one of the more isolated inhabited islands in French Polynesia.

The island offers dramatic, steep-sided valleys and sheltered bays such as Hanavave, traditional Marquesan villages and a small number of guesthouses. The landscape is volcanic and heavily vegetated with narrow coastal terraces and small-scale agriculture in valley bottoms.

Fatu-Hiva has long been inhabited by Polynesian peoples and retains elements of traditional Marquesan culture and village life. European contact began in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, after which the island remained relatively isolated compared with other Pacific destinations.

Fatu-Hiva lies in the southern part of the Marquesas Islands in the central South Pacific, administered as part of French Polynesia; it is remote from Tahiti and reached by infrequent inter-island boat passages and charter services.

• Access and services: Fatu-Hiva is remote and sparsely served by transport; visitors should plan for limited services and basic accommodation options in the main village.

What to See #

• Omoa village: The village of Omoa is the main settlement and harbour on the island, providing the primary local services and traditional houses clustered in narrow valleys.
• Hanavave Bay: Hanavave Bay, often called the 'Bay of Virgins,' is a steep-sided inlet with a sheltered harbour and is one of the island's most photographed coastal features.