Ua Pou
Island Rugged volcanic island in Marquesas with towering spires
Ua Pou in the Marquesas Islands features towering basalt spires and steep valleys. Visitors come for hiking, sea access by boat and encounters with Marquesan culture on one of French Polynesia’s more remote islands.
Ua Pou is an island in the Marquesas Islands group of French Polynesia, notable for its steep, needle-like basalt peaks rising from the island’s interior. It is one of the inhabited Marquesan islands and has small coastal villages.
Ua Pou has long been inhabited by Marquesan communities and has a history of local crafts, carving and traditional practices. European contact occurred in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, as with other islands of the Marquesas.
Ua Pou lies in the northern Marquesas Islands in the central South Pacific and is administratively part of French Polynesia.
- Distinctive geology: Noted for its dramatic needle-like volcanic spires, the island's landscape is a distinctive example of Marquesan volcanic geomorphology.
What to See #
- Basalt pillars: The towering basalt pillars that rise from the island's central ridge and form its most distinctive skyline feature.
- Main villages: Hakahau and other small coastal villages that serve as the island's population centers and harbor areas.
Tips for Visiting Ua Pou #
- Ua Pou is very remote-plan and book inter-island transport and lodging well in advance and expect limited services once you arrive; firm reservations are essential.
- The island is famous for its dramatic basalt spires; hire a local guide or join a boat excursion to reach the best viewpoints and interior trails, since much of the island's dramatic scenery is off the main village roads.
- Carry enough local currency and confirm schedules with hosts beforehand-shops, ferries and guesthouses operate irregularly compared with larger Polynesian hubs, so punctual arrangements avoid wasted travel days.
Best Time to Visit Ua Pou #
Aim for the dry season (May-October) for the most reliable weather and easier hiking and boat access.
Weather & Climate near Ua Pou #
Ua Pou's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 20°C to 28°C. Heavy rainfall (2635 mm/year), wettest in August.
January
January is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Heavy rain (263 mm).
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February
February is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 21°C. Heavy rain (221 mm).
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March
March is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 21°C. Significant rainfall (188 mm).
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April
April is warm with highs of 27°C and lows of 21°C. Significant rainfall (151 mm).
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May
May is warm with highs of 27°C and lows of 21°C. Significant rainfall (188 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 21°C. Heavy rain (242 mm).
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July
July is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 20°C. Heavy rain (253 mm) and breezy conditions.
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August
August is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 20°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (265 mm) and breezy conditions.
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September
September is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 20°C. Heavy rain (202 mm).
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October
October is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 20°C. Heavy rain (246 mm).
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November
November is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 20°C. Heavy rain (202 mm).
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December
December is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Heavy rain (214 mm).
