Of the five archipelagos of French Polynesia, the Marquesas - in addition to being among the largest - is also the one of all the superlatives: the northernmost, the most isolated, the most rugged, the most rugged, the most charming and, without doubt, the most rugged beauty. In the middle of the Pacific, lava blocks appear, posing a permanent challenge to the forces of the ocean, while the large plateaus and narrow valleys of the interior of the islands are home to spaces with breathtaking animal and plant life. When Bougainville passed through here in the 18th century, he estimated the Marquesan population at about 200,000, if not more, with an ancient civilization and elaborate practices. As you travel through the two groups of islands - the northern one with Nuki Hiva as its capital, and the southern one with the Hiva Oa power station - you will discover everywhere the millenary petroglyphs left by the ancestors of this united, proud and joyful people, whose warrior members are tattooed from head to toe. The Marquesas tourist guide will take you to the four corners of this true earthly paradise, the one that Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel have chosen as their ultimate destination: "Do you want me to tell you / Moaning is not appropriate / Aux Marquises" (J. Brel).
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When to go to Marquesas Islands?
When to go to the Marquesas Archipelago? The climate of French Polynesia is tropical oceanic. There are two seasons: the dry season from April to October (during the southern winter) and the rainy season from November to March (it is warmer and especially more humid because it rains a lot). The average temperature (of both air and water!) varies between about 24 and 28°C. However, the climate varies according to the archipelagos: it is cooler in the Austral, and warmer in the Marquesas. The best time to go to the Marquesas is during the austral winter, between May and October, and especially in August and September, when the temperatures are a little cooler (especially at night). January and February are the rainiest months and are traditionally very low! The high season runs from May to October, and for the Christmas and New Year holidays. The low season from November to April. So when to go to the Marquesas? During the austral winter ideally
- Weather forecast
- Budget
- Procedures
- Health
- Discovery
The Marquesas experience a more brutal weather than the Society Islands. While they are not affected by cyclones, they are subject to more variable temperatures and more random precipitation. The Northern Marquesas are generally more arid, sometimes facing severe droughts, while the Southern Marquesas regularly face floods. Although closer to the equator, the water is not as hot (about 23°C), due to currents, which explains the lack of coral.
The currency of the Marquesas, as in the rest of French Polynesia, is the Pacific franc. Everything is very expensive, so you have to find out what the price is for. Some may find the pill bitter! This very high cost of living is the consequence of the importation of many products into Polynesia, and of taxation. Money is spent here at an incredible speed, and your relationship to money will quickly change in Polynesia.
A passport is required to travel to the Marquesas, valid six months after return, in the event of a prolonged or unexpected stopover in the United States. Monegasque and Swiss nationals, as well as those from the Member States of the European Union and Canada, benefit from a three-month visa-free stay.
Attention! Since January 12, 2009, if you are passing through the United States, even for a short transit, you must complete (on the Internet: esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/) a prior authorization request (for US$14 per person). Allow about 72 hours for your request to be validated (or not). The authorization is valid for 2 years, please bring proof of approval (e. g. printed confirmation).
All goods must be declared and the corresponding tax duties paid at the Marquesas customs office. See www.polynesie-francaise.pref.gouv.fr
In addition to sunburn and sunburn, nono bites and tourista, beware of mosquitoes at all costs! Because if Polynesia has no predators for humans, it can potentially cause you many worries: dengue fever is relatively widespread, as is chikungunya, and Zika to a lesser extent. These diseases can be dangerous: don't panic, but run away from mosquitoes! Drinking water is also a rare commodity in the Marquesasas, which you will drink in bottles.
As for hospital infrastructures, if the Marquesas have them, it is in Tahiti that you will have to go for a more serious health problem. In the event of a major emergency occurring on an insufficiently equipped island, you will be repatriated to Tahiti by Evasan (medical evacuation). By Air Tahiti or helicopter, you will be taken to the nearest hospitals, as the smallest islands often do not have them. Don't worry, don't worry!How to go to Marquesas Islands? Our advice & tips
- Organised trips
- Going alone
- Moving around
A large number of tour operators propose to discover the Marquesas, and French Polynesia as a whole: combined islands, cruises (catamarans or liners) and diving holidays are in the spotlight, but there are also offers of cultural tours or hikes. Finally, proposals for boarding houses are also very frequent. However, the destination is very popular with lovers who want to celebrate their idyll at the end of the world in postcard settings. As an indication, count €3,000 for an individual tour of 13 days and 10 nights, €2,500 for 10 days and 7 nights and €5,000 for a 22-day trek. Many specialists offer special packages for newlyweds, valid all year round.
Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destinationThe journey is long to reach the Marquesas, but you will find many airlines offering flights with stopovers. Note that the price variation depends on the company borrowed, but above all, of course, on the booking time. For the best rates in high season, buy your tickets six months in advance. For shorter periods, a much shorter time frame should not prevent you from getting a good price.
Going to French Polynesia is a long and tiring journey. Once there, it's not over, you still have to move around a territory as big as Europe! With 118 islands and as many ways to get there, travel will represent a large part of your budget. But don't worry, travelling to Polynesia and the Marquesas is already fun! The territory is equipped with an efficient, original and varied transportation network, and not necessarily always expensive. On land, at sea or in the air, here are all the keys to getting around the islands, between the islands and on the islands.
Air Tahiti offers Pass at advantageous rates by combining several islands. These are closed circuits, all starting from Tahiti. However, between two islands, trips can be made by other means, such as by boat.
Marquises Pass. Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa, Ua Pou, Ua Huka: from 750 to 950 € per adult and from 600 to 750 € per child depending on the number of islands visited (2, 3 or 4). Rates based on a 23 kg baggage allowance
In the Marquesas, there are few roads, sometimes paved with stones or earth, sometimes barely marked, and quickly flooded in case of rain. However, the main roads are now almost all paved.
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When to go to the Marquesas Archipelago? The climate of French Polynesia is tropical oceanic. There are two sea...
Read more about it
The Marquesas experience a more brutal weather than the Society Islands. While they are not affected by cyclones, the...
Read more about it
The currency of the Marquesas, as in the rest of French Polynesia, is the Pacific franc. Everything is very expensive...
Read more about it
A passport is required to travel to the Marquesas, valid six months after return, in the event of a prolonged or unex...
Read more about it
In addition to sunburn and sunburn, nono bites and tourista, beware of mosquitoes at all costs! Because...
Read more about it
The journey is long to reach the Marquesas, but you will find many airlines offering flights with stopovers. Note tha...
Read more about it
A large number of tour operators propose to discover the Marquesas, and French Polynesia as a whole: combined islands...
Read more about it
Going to French Polynesia is a long and tiring journey. Once there, it's not over, you still have to move around a te...
Read more about it
