The Marquesas Islands. Islands in the Pacific Ocean

"Life is also beautiful because you can travel a lot!" - said the Russian traveler and naturalist Nikolai Przhevalsky. If you agree with this statement, this article is for you. We will tell you about everything that causes interest in the Marquesas Islands. Give advice on where to rest, how to do it better and what it's worth to look at.

Life on the Volcano

Look at the globe. You will see that there are the Marquesas Islands in the Pacific Ocean, in its very center. Up to Mexico (the nearest mainland) - 4800 km. To Tahiti - 1371 km. This place is one of the most inaccessible on the planet. The population, according to the 2007 census, is approximately 8,632.

Also the archipelago is famous for its origin - volcanic. Geologists believe that all the islands (besides Motu-On) were formed from magma. And now under them the real hot spot.

The islands can be divided into northern and southern. Their total area is 1049 square kilometers. Looking at the Marquesas Islands on a world map, you understand that this is the largest education.

The largest island (northern group) is Nuku-Khiva: it is the second largest in French Polynesia . And the southern ones exist under the leadership of another giant, Khiva-Oa.

All year almost without rain

The Marquesas Islands are in the tropical belt. However, they are surprisingly affected by the drought. Humans and vegetation rains here are spoiled extremely rarely. And here and there it is quite bad. It is no coincidence that the island of Hu-Huka is not widely populated. It's impossible to live on Eiao at all.

All the Marquesas Islands are tall, in addition to Motu-Ona. It's low. Sandy beaches are not high. Since this pile of magma does not have any natural protection on the shores, the southern equatorial current mercilessly gushes them, undermining the rocks. So many caves were formed here.

The inhabited and uninhabited places

The address that the Marquesas have on the world map is the Pacific Ocean. However, according to the sheet of paper you will not understand which of them are inhabited and which are not. For this you need to visit here. And it becomes clear that some of them are suitable for living people, others - completely uninhabited. Want to understand the feelings of Robinson Crusoe - please send one of the last.

Do not get bored without travelers Marquesas Islands. Tours here are organized from different continents. Most tourists tend to Nuku-Khiva and Khiva-Oa. The west coast of the first island with steep banks. It was riddled with bays. On the east, the real elements are raging. The northern part and to a lesser extent the southern part are dilated by deep bays.

Entertainment is more than enough

For fans of thrills are conducted hikes in mysterious caves. And there, where till now there are whole stone temples and statues.

In general, there is a lot of entertainment. This, of course, jeep safari, horse riding, hiking in the mountains, picnics (on the beaches and in the mountains). Add fishing here, riding a motorboat. And how do you cruise in the azure and endless smoothness of the Pacific Ocean? You can still curious about the archaeological excavations and stalls of artisans.

By the way, carving on wood is a folk craft. You can buy original figurines, other souvenirs.

Boats with a glass bottom

There are many excellent hotels on the inhabited islands. You can live on the water - in a bungalow. Or in an ordinary hotel on the beach.

The beaches are quiet, if they are located near the lagoon. And those outside these ponds are dangerous with sharp corals. And the waves are strong all the time. But the view opens just wonderful.

Like tourists to look at the Marquesas Islands from the side of the boat, visit the marine park, be on picnics and fish with a spear. It's breathtaking when the group goes to the reefs. After all, this excursion with immersion in the water. Other entertainment - diving and windsurfing, biking and canoeing.

Well, the farm, where black pearls are grown, has no shortage of curious people.

The Marquesas Islands are ideal for divers. There are a lot of different fish, different inhabitants of the sea. There is something to look under the water.

And just a unique race. This is when passengers on a boat (with a glass bottom) rushing headlong the canal between the lagoon and the ocean ...

And there are always a lot of travelers in the bird sanctuary.

The Marquesas are all in coral reefs. They are close - in some 30-50 meters - from the edge of the shore. A lagoon - a defender from the rampant sea.

The Marquesas are fabulously beautiful. They have a lot of luxury hotels with a set of everything you need. World stars prefer to come here. And all the same, the Marquesas Islands remain a quiet, calm, beautiful place to relax.

Among the many activities - feeding sharks and rays, picnics on tiny islands. You can book a flight on a water parachute, something else is extremely rare. Marquesas like everyone.

Nuku-Khiva Island

What are you looking for - heaven on earth? So, you here. Nuku-Khiva (in translation - "majestic island") covers an area of 387 square kilometers. It represents two old volcanoes nested inside each other. In the center of Nuku-Khiva there is an extensive plateau of Toowii. The northern coast is very rugged. The gorgeous bays (Hatikheu, Taipiwai, Haatuahua and Taiokhae) are great for snorkelling. Impressive cliffs sink 200-300 meters into the Pacific Ocean.

Taiohae, the capital of the island, is an incredibly picturesque village and is located on the shore of a beautiful bay. Notre-Dame Cathedral with carved bas-reliefs is distinguished by a relaxed atmosphere. Attention on the island deserve the hill of Muaca (864 m), from which a stunning view opens, a statue of the Virgin Mary on top of one of the peaks towering over the Hatikheu Bay, as well as the Catholic Church in Anakho and a delightful beach near its walls. But the main thing that is worth seeing on the island is the majestic Hakaui Valley, which is located 15 km from the capital, in the south-west. Here is a small and deep bay, which falls several waterfalls at once. And the highest of them is the waterfall of Ahuya, which has a height of more than 350 m.

Now you know where the Marquesas Islands are. It remains only to verify the reliability of our words in practice.