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Hakahau
ℹ️Practical info — Hakahau
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- The town transforms when the Aranui cargo-cruise ship docks; visit the craft market on these busy days.
- Learn a few words of Marquesan ('Kaoha' for hello); the locals appreciate it, as Tahitian is a second language here.
- To see the famous volcanic spires clearly, start your hike at sunrise before the clouds roll in.
- ATMs are sometimes empty or out of order; always bring extra cash from Tahiti.
- Ask locals for directions to Anahoa Beach; it's a short hike and has a quieter, sandy bay.
🍽 Food
Often cooked in coconut milk. It's a hearty local staple you should try at the eateries in Hakahau.
Roasted over an open fire, this is the classic carbohydrate in Marquesan cuisine.
A sweet, gelatinous pudding often made from pumpkin or banana, served with fresh coconut cream.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Visit the artisan center near the port to buy sculptures made from this rare volcanic rock unique to Ua Pou.
Dark and intensely flavored, gathered from the island's untouched valleys. Often found in small village shops.
A short 30-minute hike from the village takes you to this beautiful, pristine sandy beach.
Walk up to the hill with the white cross by the harbor for a peaceful view of the village and the rocky spires.
Water temperature…
Hakahau is the animated administrative and cultural center of Ua Pou in the Marquesas Islands, positioned dramatically at the foot of the island's iconic volcanic spires. These towering phonolitic stone needles rise sharply above the village, creating one of the most distinctive skylines in the South Pacific. As the island's primary port, Hakahau serves as the vital link to the outside world, where the Aranui freighter brings essential supplies and curious travelers. The village is globally famous for its unique handicrafts carved from "flower stone" (pierre fleurie), a rare volcanic rock with petal-like mineral inclusions found only in this specific region. The local church, Saint-Etienne, is a testament to Marquesan craftsmanship, featuring exquisite interior wood carvings that blend biblical narratives with ancient Polynesian symbols. Every few years, Hakahau becomes a major stage for the Marquesas Arts Festival, where traditional chanting and dancing are celebrated. Residents here are dedicated guardians of their unique language and ancestral customs, offering visitors a window into a culture that has thrived for centuries.
- Location: French Polynesia
- Nearby: Taiohae (38 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Aug–Oct.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
| Rain mm | 47 | 32 | 59 | 53 | 42 | 26 | 28 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 32 | 24 |
Geography
Facts
- Population: 517 (2017 census)
- Land area of Ua Pou: 105 km²
- Highest point: Mont Oave, 1,232 m
- Church built: 1856
- Distance from Tahiti: 1,400 km
- Number of recorded tiki statues: 15
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Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Hakahau (1)
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