About Hiva Oa
Hiva Oa is an island in the southern Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia known for steep volcanic landscapes and for its cultural connections to artists and musicians. It is one of the larger islands of the Marquesas and the site of notable graves and memorials.
Visitors come for rugged scenery, traditional Marquesan culture and the cultural sites in and around Atuona, notably the graves and memorials for the painter Paul Gauguin and singer Jacques Brel. The island offers hiking in mountainous interior ridges and coastal bays used for small‑boat activities.
The island has been inhabited by Marquesan peoples for centuries and later attracted European visitors and settlers; in the 20th century it became notable as the final home and burial place of Paul Gauguin and of Jacques Brel, both of whom are memorialised in Atuona.
Hiva Oa lies in the southern Marquesas group in French Polynesia in the central South Pacific, with the main settlement Atuona on a sheltered bay that serves as the island’s administrative and transport hub.
- Size and terrain: Second largest of the Marquesas Islands and part of French Polynesia, with mountainous terrain and limited road network between settlements.
- Access: Served by a local airport at Atuona with regional flights, providing the principal air link to other islands and to Tahiti via connections.
What to See#
- Atuona (main village): Atuona, the island’s main village and administrative centre, which contains the cemetery and memorial sites for Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel.
- Gauguin and Brel graves: Paul Gauguin’s grave and local memorials located on the hill cemetery above Atuona, visited for cultural and historic interest.
Best Time to Visit Hiva Oa
The dry season (May-October) is generally the best time for outdoor activities and inter-island travel.
Weather & Climate near Hiva Oa
Hiva Oa's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 20°C to 28°C. Abundant rainfall (1992 mm/year), wettest in August.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 21° - 28° | 24° | 205 mm | - | - | 5.0 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 21° - 28° | 24° | 133 mm | - | - | 5.0 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 21° - 28° | 25° | 129 mm | - | - | 4.6 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 22° - 28° | 25° | 122 mm | - | - | 4.6 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 21° - 27° | 24° | 129 mm | - | - | 5.0 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 21° - 26° | 24° | 184 mm | - | - | 5.3 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 20° - 26° | 23° | 184 mm | - | - | 5.6 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 20° - 26° | 23° | 206 mm | - | - | 5.6 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 20° - 26° | 23° | 163 mm | - | - | 5.4 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 20° - 27° | 24° | 176 mm | - | - | 5.1 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 20° - 27° | 24° | 167 mm | - | - | 4.9 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 21° - 28° | 24° | 194 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Hiva Oa
Air Tahiti operates flights to the Marquesas from Tahiti (Fa’a’ā International Airport). Hiva Oa’s Atuona has a small airport (AUQ) with irregular inter-island service; ferries are rare and seasonal. Plan connections via Tahiti and confirm schedules well in advance.
Tips for Visiting Hiva Oa
- If visiting the Marquesas, combine Hiva Oa with southern islands for fewer inter-island flights and more flexible scheduling.
- Public transport is limited; arrange local transfers and accommodation via the main town of Atuona.
- Watch for strong sun and sudden showers; bring reef-safe sunscreen for coastal swimming.