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Crystal blue waters and palm trees with tropical island in the background.

Tahuata, French Polynesia

Tahuata is a beloved stop on Marquesas cruises. One of the world’s most remote inhabited islands, Tahuata remains serene, inviting and unspoiled. Created by a volcano, its jagged vivid-green ridges rise from turquoise seas. Visitors on Tahuata cruises will instantly notice the quiet—this is an island with few roads and no airports or banks. But its natural splendors are more than enough: white-sand beaches, fragrant valleys and rare sea life. This is a snorkeler’s dream with giant manta rays gliding around Hanamoenoa Bay. Vaitahu, the island’s main village, has several cultural sites and a pavilion to shop for handicrafts. The tiny museum features archeological items and free admission. Take a moment to appreciate the woodcarvings and notice the copra-drying sheds around the island. If you have time on your Marquesas cruise, visit Hapatoni to stroll down the royal road, a road on the shore lined with century-old trees.

Top 3 Things To Do In Tahuata

1 Hanamoenoa Bay One of the most scenic beaches in French Polynesia, the water is multi-hued and fringed by golden sand.
2 Visit Vaitahu Wander Vaitahu to shop for handicrafts, see artifacts in the museum and woodcarvings.
3 Hike Hapatoni Take a walk on the royal road—lined on one side with wild hibiscus and the other, tamanu trees.