Atuona, the main village of Hiva-OaAtuona, the main village of Hiva-Oa
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HivaOa_Atuona_20061110.JPG
Author: Sémhur
photo licensing

Hiva Oa is the second largest of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia It is the largest island of the South Marquesas group. It covers an area of 316 sq km and has a population of around 2,000 people (2011 estimate). The main town in Hiva Oa is Atuona, on the southern part of the island.

Hiva Oa is made famous by French painter Paul Gauguin who made it his home. His grave is on the island.

Tribal sculplture, Hiva OaTribal sculplture, Hiva Oa
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HivaOa_Takii.jpg
Author: Makemake
photo licensing

Belgian singer Jacques Brel also spent his final days on Hiva Oa until his ill health forced him back to France to seek treatment. After he died, his remains were brought back to Hiva Oa and buried in Atuona.

Visiting Hiva Oa

Air Tahiti flies to Hiva Oa from Tahiti daily, though direct flights are on some days only.

Puamau village, Hiva-OaPuamau village, Hiva-Oa
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Puamau.jpg
Author: American
photo licensing

Sights & Attractions in Hiva Oa

  1. Calvaire Cemetery
    The final resting place of both Paul Gaugin and Jacques Brel.

  2. Espace Culturel Paul Gaugin
    Museum celebrating the life and works of the famous French artist. It includes a replica of Gaugin's house.

  3. Iipona Archaeological Site
    One of the best-preserved ancient Polynesian sites in Hiva Oa. Located near the village of Puamau, it includes the ruins of a marae sacred site and tiki stone effigies.

  4. Smiling Tiki
    A one-meter tall Polynesian effigy that appears to be smiling.

  5. Tehueto Petroglyphs
    Rock paintings on an elevated site, a good hike from Atuona (or you can go on horseback).

 Latest updates on Penang Travel Tips

 Discover with Timothy YouTube Channel

 Discover with Timothy Food Channel

 Learn Penang Hokkien YouTube Channel

SojiMart Videos

Latest from Discover with Timothy: Gurney Bay - what to see and do there

About this website



Hello and thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy and my hobby is in describing places so that I can share the information with the general public. My website has become the go to site for a lot of people including students, teachers, journalists, etc. whenever they seek information on places, particularly those in Malaysia and Singapore. I have been doing this since 5 January 2003, for over twenty years already. You can read about me at Discover Timothy. By now I have compiled information on thousands of places, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and I continue to add more almost every day. My goal is to describe every street in every town in Malaysia and Singapore.

Copyright © 2003-2024 Timothy Tye. All Rights Reserved.