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Voykit pocket guide · French Polynesia
Hiva Oa
Spend at least 5 days on Hiva Oa to see the main cultural sites and do a 4WD safari; shorter trips miss most attractions.
Hiva Oa, the second‑largest Marquesas island, offers archaeology, the Paul Gauguin museum, Brel & Gauguin graves, 4WD safaris and limited diving. With no taxis and few eateries, a 5‑day stay lets you base in Atuona, hire a guide, and explore the remote sites without rushing.
- Country
- French Polynesia
- Best months
- Sep–Dec
- Avoid
- Jan–Feb (cool, limited services)
- Stay
- 5+ nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- XPF
- Money
- Currency is the CFP franc (XPF), also used in New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna, pegged to the euro (€1 = 119.33 XPF); euros are sometimes taken at poor rates.
- Daily spend
- Budget XPF 7,000–10,000 excl. bed · Mid XPF 10,000–15,000 excl. bed · High XPF 15,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vini (OPT) is the main network, with Vodafone (Onati) as the other; tourist SIMs at Faa'a airport and Vini shops need a passport.
- Emergency
- Police 17 · Medical (SAMU) 15 · Fire 18
- Plugs
- Types C, E · 220 V · 60 Hz · French two-pin sockets; some resorts also have 110 V US sockets. Bring a universal adapter.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: Not expected; service is included.; Tours and dives: Optional; XPF 1,000–2,000 for a great guide.; Taxis: Not expected.; Resort staff: Optional; some resorts have a shared staff fund.
- Water
- Tap water in Papeete and many Tahiti and Moorea communes is treated; on atolls it is rainwater. Ask, or drink bottled.
- Toilets
- Western toilets; few public ones — use cafés, malls and the ferry terminal.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Hiking guide | 1,000 XPF/hour or 8,000 XPF/day |
| Horse riding (Hamau Ranch – Chez Paco) | 7,000–14,000 XPF |
| Diving (SubAtuona) | 7,000–13,000 XPF |
| Centre Jacques Brel entry | 500 XPF |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- HIV · Hiva Oa Airport
- Check Air Tahiti schedule for flights
Typical fares
- Air Tahiti Tahiti → Hiva Oa
- about 12,000–15,000 XPF one‑way (check schedule)
- 4WD rental (per day)
- ≈ 10,000–15,000 XPF (check with local providers)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
No taxis; arrange pickup from airport via pension or hire 4WD from local rentals (Atuona Rent‑a‑car, Hiva Oa Location, David Location). Guides are required for most hikes and remote sites.
See and do
Known for
- Paul Gauguin museum
- Jacques Brel & Paul Gauguin graves
- Archaeological sites
- 4WD safaris
- Diving at SubAtuona
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Espace Culturel Paul Gauguin | Taxi or 4WD from Atuona, about 10 min | ≈ 15 min |
| Calvaire Cemetery | Walk or 4WD from Atuona, 5 min uphill | ≈ 10 min |
| Taaoa archaeological site | 4WD hire, 7 km (4.3 mi) drive from Atuona4WD hire, 4.3 mi (7 km) drive from Atuona | ≈ 30 min |
| Iipona archaeological site | 4WD hire, 2‑hour drive from Atuona | ≈ 2 h |
Sleep
- Temetiu Village
- 2‑star pension, 10 min walk from Atuona, 6 bungalows, pool, Wi‑Fi; price 7,080–10,000 XPF per night.
- Hiva Oa Hanakee Pearl Lodge
- Luxury resort on hill over Tahauku Bay, 14 bungalows, restaurant, pool; pricey, no price listed.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello / Good morning | Ia ora naee‑ah‑oh‑rah‑nah |
| How much does it cost? | E hia te utu?eh‑hee‑ah‑teh‑oo‑too |
| I need a guide | E hina‘u au i te ta‘ata ha‘api‘ieh‑hee‑nah‑oo‑ah‑oo‑ee‑teh‑tah‑ah‑tee‑hah‑ah‑pee‑ee |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Bonjour or ia ora na; a kiss on the cheek among acquaintances; avoid: Starting a request without a greeting
- Flowers: Accept the flower garland (hei) on arrival; flower behind the right ear means single, left means taken; avoid: Throwing a hei away in front of the giver
- Homes: Shoes off at the door; avoid: Entering yards without asking
- Church: Neat clothes, quiet photos only when allowed; avoid: Beachwear
- Pace: Patience; 'aita pe'ape'a' (no worries); avoid: Pushing for speed
Scams and watch-outs
- Guides are essential for unmarked trails and remote archaeological sites.
- Flights may be direct from Tahiti or via Nuku Hiva; check Air Tahiti schedule before booking.
- Limited dining options; bring snacks or buy groceries in Atuona.
Hiva Oa is low‑risk for violent crime; main concerns are remote terrain, limited medical facilities and weather‑related road closures – travel with a guide and keep emergency numbers handy.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Hiva Oa yet. Suggested stay: 5+ nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Paul Gauguin museum
- Jacques Brel & Paul Gauguin graves
- Archaeological sites
- 4WD safaris
- Diving at SubAtuona
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Hiva Oa: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12345
- Wikivoyage: Hiva Oa, revision 4925209 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4925209
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/hiva-oa). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.