Why visit Hiva Oa?
The island that made Brel and Gauguin dream
Lying northeast of Tahiti, Hiva Oa is one of the two largest of the Marquesas Islands. The village of Atuona with its bay of black sand is the last resti❀ng place of two world famous artists: the painter Paul Gauguin and the singer Jacques Brel.
Visitors can pay their respects at their graves which are on the high ground above the village💧. The village has a cultural center dedicated to Paul Gauguin, and at the E🦩space Jacques Brel museum the exhibits include the small plane that belonged to Jacques Brel.
A rich and vibrant culture
The names of Brel and Gauguin will be fore🐼ver assocated with the island, but the spirit of Hiva Oa lies in the valleys of Taaoa and Puamau. Opposite the village of Atuona, a road winding along the side of a mountain leads to the valley of Puamau, which is home to the impressive archeological site of Lipona.
The site is famed for its tiki, of which the tallest is 2,57 meters high. To the west of Aꦉtuona, the vast archeological site of Upeke is in the valley 𝓡of Taaoa.
« I am beginning to think simply, to feel only very little hatred for my neighbor— or rather, to love him. All the joys—animal and human—of a free life are mine. I have escaped that which is artificial, I am entering into the truth, into nature. »
Paul Gauguin, from ‘Noa Noa; Voyage to TahitiDiving in Marquesas Islands
Hiking and relaxing
Four days in Hiva Oa
Experiences
Learn more about the artist Paul Gauguin and his love for The Islands of Tahiti or discover why Jacques Brel wrote “Gémir n’est pas de mise aux Marquises” (The Marquesas Islands is no place for whining)
Book your trip
Latest offers
Make your reservation for an unforgettable vacation in Hiva Oa. Stay in a comfortable lodge in the hills above Atuona, or in a Tahitian Guesthouse nestled in one of the island’s lush green valleys. Take to the hiking trails to explore the magnificent countryside, or simply relax on Atuona’s beach of soft black sand.