The Marquesas Islands: A magical paradise ‘you must visit’
It is one of the most remote paradise islands in the world with its main hub just nine hours from Australia – but now there’s all the more reason to visit it.
Marquesas Islands is one of the most remote paradise islands in the world.
A magical haven, if you will, with several mystical islands making up Marquesas Islands Group in French Polynesia.
Located 1,500km northeast of Tahiti, the islands boast a rugged landscape with craggy mountains, cascading waterfalls, and majestic bays.
Known as Te Henua Enata in the Marquesan language, meaning ‘The Land of Men’, the islands are home to an impressive number of archaeological sites, and according to Tahiti Tourism, wherever you go, you are enveloped by the spiritual force that is intrinsic to Marquesan culture: the mana.
It is spread over 12 islands, of which only six are inhabited including Hiva Oa, Ua Pou, Nuku Hiva and Ua Huka.
Each of the islands are about four hours from Tahiti, with the French Polynesian island about nine hours direct from Sydney via Auckland.
A quick scroll on TikTok will reveal just how picturesque the islands are with one tourist showing off the island of Nuku Hiva.
“I loved Marquesas,” he wrote in the comments section, adding just how “beautiful” it is.
Another tourist also captured her stunning surrounds.
“The islands you’ve never heard of but NEED to add to your bucket list,” she wrote, showing off the landscape.
The islands also form a volcanic archipelago and are home to archaeological sites and living cultural traditions (wood carving, dance, and music) that bear witness to the heritage of the Marquesan peoples. And because of this, just a few weeks ago on July 26, The Marquesas Islands became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The United Nations agency considers them a legacy “whose universal value lies in its cultural as well as its natural riches”.
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“This inscription is a unique opportunity to showcase the exceptional cultural and environmental heritage of the Marquesas Archipelago internationally and will reinforce the positioning of The Islands of Tahiti as an inclusive and sustainable tourism destination,” Jean-Marc Mocellin, CEO of Tahiti Tourism, said.
According to UNESCO, Marquesan is virtually free from human exploitation with its waters among the world’s last marine wilderness areas.
“The property also includes archaeological sites ranging from monumental dry-stone structures to lithic sculptures and engravings.”
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