Nuku Hiva

Why Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas Islands in Polynesia is special
Nuku Hiva is blessed with a magnificent setting. The remote island has rugged volcanic topography covered with verdant tropical foliage - and lofty waterfalls. Most of the coastline is rugged. Mountains meet the sea.

Nuku Hiva tips and insights
Cannibals
Nuku Hiva was once home to cannibals. Moby Dick author Herman Melville was captured and feasted (to fatten him up for a meal). Melville caught on and escaped.

In 2011, it was reported that a visiting German yachtsman may have been eaten by cannibals.

Survivor TV reality show
Fans of the television series "Survivor" may remember that Nuku Hiva was one of its yearly locations.

Bay of Taiohae
The main village hugs the lovely Bay of Taiohae. It's ensconced on the floor of a sizeable sloping volcanic caldera. One side rises 850 meters (2800 feet) behind the village, creating an awesome backdrop. The other side rests below the sea.

A highlight
Anuii Waterfall plummets 350 meters (1150 feet), making it one of the world's tallest.

Population
About 2,500 people live in Nuku Hiva, the capital of the remote Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia.

Getting there
Some travelers reach Nuku Hiva island by sea. Your options include voyaging on private yachts, cruise ships, and the passenger-freighter Aranui 3.

Or, you can fly to Nuka Hiva from Tahiti. On arrival, be prepared for a 2-hour journey over dirt (occasionally rough) roads to Taiohae, Nuku Hiva's tourist center.