Ua Pou
Why Ua Pou
in the Marquesas Islands
in Polynesia is specialUa Pou has a stunning landscape. Natural spires - remnants of ancient volcanoes - dramatically rise from the mountainous center of the island (see photo). One summit soars 1200 meters or 4,000 feet above sea level.
Ua Pou tips and insights
Getting there
Reaching Ua Pou from Tahiti is not a piece of cake. Scheduled air service is infrequent. And, the Aranui 3 cargo/passenger ship leaves Tahiti for Ua Pou on a once-every-three-week schedule.
Simple lifestyle
Once here, don't expect comfy accommodations, or a bevy of fellow tourists to befriend, or stretches of soft-sand beaches, or a network of inter-village roads for exploring the land by vehicle. The lifestyle is simple, uncomplicated and laid back. This is part of Ua Pou's appeal to adventure travelers.
Most visually striking
Thanks to its eye-catching spired skyline, Ua Pou is the most visually striking member of French Polynesia's Marquesas (mahr-kay'-suhz) Island group. Ua Pou is mainly blanketed with lush tropical foliage, though there are some bare, rocky volcanic slopes.
People and culture
Ua Pou is thinly settled - barely 2,000 live here. The cultural offerings include native music-and-dance performances. Traditional woodcarvings are also part of the ancient culture.
