Why Ua Huka
Ua Huka is a crescent-shaped island in the northern Marquesas archipelago of French Polynesia, located about 40 kilometers east of Nuku Hiva. Formed as a shield volcano from the Marquesas hotspot, the island features two interlocking calderas and reaches its highest point at Mount Hitikau. Unlike neighboring lush islands, Ua Huka has a drier climate, characterized by extensive arid plateaus, deep fertile valleys, and steep coasts without protective reefs. Offshore, dramatic rock formations like the sugarloaf-shaped Motu Hane rise from the ocean.
First settled by Polynesians roughly 1,700 years ago, archaeological sites at Hane date to 350 AD. Over time, population growth led to a stratified tribal society across various valleys. Western encounters began in 1791 when American Captain Joseph Ingraham named it Washington Island, followed by French and British navigators before France officially claimed the northern Marquesas in 1842.
The island forms a single administrative commune with its center at Hane. Residents live along the south coast in the villages of Vaipaee, Hane, and Hokatu. French is the official language alongside Marquesan, and the population is predominantly Christian, with Catholic churches situated in each village.
Vegetation spans from plateau dryland scrub to vibrant valley growth. Near Vaipaee, the 17-hectare Papuakeikaa Arboretum contains over a thousand tree species, including an extensive citrus collection designed for reforestation. Thousands of free-roaming horses and goats inhabit the terrain, giving Ua Huka a reputation as the "Island of Horses." Wildlife includes endemic landbirds like the critically endangered Iphis monarch, as well as marine life and tern colonies on the nearby islets of Hemeni and Teuaua.
Travelers can explore archaeological complexes such as Meiaute, which features stone platforms and red tufa tiki statues, or hike to Vaikivi to view unique petroglyphs. Other sights include sea caves, island museums, and local workshops where craftspeople carve wood, stone, and bone. Ua Huka is reachable via Ua Huka Airport or by ship aboard the Aranui, with guesthouses providing local accommodation.
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