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Fatu Hiva Island (Omoa-Hanavave, Marquesas French Polynesia)

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Fatu Hiva Island cruise port

Region
Australia - New Zealand - Pacific Ocean Islands

Local Time
2026-11-05 01:01

min: 81 °F (27 °C) / max: 83 °F (29 °C) 81°F
27.4°C
Wind: 87°/ 7.8 m/s Gust: 8.4 m/sWind: 87°/ 7.8 m/s Gust: 8.4 m/sMod. breeze
7.8 m/s
Min / Max Temperature83 °F / 29 °C
81 °F / 28 °C
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Port Fatu Hiva Island cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Fatu Hiva Island, Omoa-Hanavave, Marquesas French Polynesia. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

DayShipArrivalDeparture
8 November, 2026
Sunday
Silversea Cruises Cruises cruise lineSilver Whisper08:0018:00
11 November, 2026
Wednesday
Ponant Cruises Cruises cruise lineLe Jacques Cartier06:0022:00
16 November, 2026
Monday
Windstar Cruises Cruises cruise lineStar Breeze09:0018:00

Fatu Hiva Island (port locode PFFAT) is the southernmost of the Marquesas Islands (French Polynesia) - a French overseas territory in the South Pacific Ocean. The closest isle is Motu Nao. Fatu Hiva has land area approx 85 km2 (33 mi2), highest elevation point 1125 m (3690 ft) and population under 1000.

When discovered by the Spanish in late-16th-century, the island was named Isla Magdalena. Its eastern coastline features narrow valleys carved by small streams leading to the interior. Between the valleys are located headlands ending in cliffs plunging into the sea. The western coastline has two large, well-protected bay harbours - the port villages Hana Vave (north) and Omoa (south).

The island's central plateau is covered by tall grasses and pandanus (monocot) trees. The north-south running mountain ridge (Tauauoho) is the highest peak. The north-northwest mountain (Fae One) has the highest elevation of 820 m (2690 ft).

Fatu Hiva Island is visited by the cargo cruise ship Aranui 5 (2015-built). Next are listed all ports of call (scheduled day visits) on the ship's 14-day roundtrip cruise itinerary from Papeete Tahiti.

  • DAY 1 - embarkation in port Papeete at ~10 am. Activities include "Welcome Aboard" party with fruit punch and a Marquesan dance show by the swimming pool.
  • DAY 2 - Takapoto Atoll (Tuamotus Islands) - activities include swimming, lagoon snorkeling, scuba diving.
  • DAY 3 - At Sea
  • DAY 4 - Nuku Hiva Island. Activities include stops in ports Taiohae, Hatiheu, and Taiohae, cathedral tour, Kamuihei (archaeological site, sacred dance performance), ashore lunch at Yvonne's Restaurant (the traditional dish is Hima'a / pig cooked in an underground oven), meae (sacred ritual sites, sacred dance performance), paepae (huge stone boulders), and optional hiking (trail to Paeke site).
  • DAY 5 - Ua Pou Island (Hakahau-Hakahetau). Activities include stop in port Hakahau, the ship's crew unloads here supplies (including cement and sugar) and loads copra (dried coconut meat), Hakahau town exploration (handicrafts center, stone carvings shopping, church visit, ashore lunch at Rosalie's Restaurant (special dishes are breadfruit, island staple, curried goat, the poisson cru / raw fish marinated in lime and coconut milk, also fei / red bananas and fruit poe). Dining includes traditional Bird Dance performance.
  • DAY 6 - Tahuata Island, and Hiva Oa Island. Activities include a stop in port Vaitahu (Tahuata), visiting handcrafts center (bone carvings, shell carvings), stop in port Atuona (Hiva Oa), visiting Paul Gauguin burial site, ashore lunch at Hoa Nui Restaurant, visiting the "House of Pleasure" and museum, optional hiking tour.
  • DAY 7 - Fatu Hiva Island. Activities include stops in ports Omoa and Hanavave, demonstration (local women make tapa), demonstration (kumuhei making / herbal bundles used by local women as perfume), visiting arts-crafts center (tapa, carvings, monoi coconut oil), optional hiking (16 km / 10 ml from Omoa to Hanavave), ashore lunch.
  • DAY 8 - Hiva Oa Island. Activities include stops in ports Puamau and Hanaiapa, guided tour visiting Meae Ipona (archaeological site) and Puamau ruins.
  • DAY 9 - Ua Huka Island. Activities include stops in ports Vaipaee, Hane, and Hokatu, optional (4x4 or horseback riding) tour, visiting a museum, gardens, ashore lunch, visiting woodcarving workshops black and white coconuts carvings), onboard "Polynesian Night" (themed events, traditional dancing and chanting lessons, buffet dinner on the pool deck, themed entertainment).
  • DAY 10 - Nuku Hiva Island. Activities include morning stop in port Taiohae (arts-crafts center), afternoon stop in Hakahau (Marquesan souvenirs shopping).
  • DAY 11 - At Sea
  • DAY 12 - Rangiroa Atoll. Activities include lagoon swimming-snorkeling-scuba diving, pearl and shell jewelry shopping.
  • DAY 13 - Bora Bora Island (Society Islands). Activities include white-sand beach, snorkeling, picnic lunch (with traditional Tahitian dishes), optional excursions (scuba diving, outrigger boat tour, swimming with sharks and manta rays, a helicopter tour over Bora Bora Lagoon).
  • DAY 14 - disembarkation in Port Papeete at ~9:30 am.

As cruise port, Fatu Hiva Island (Hanavave and/or Omoa) is also included in MS Paul Gauguin ship's itinerary "Marquesas, Tuamotus and Society Islands".

Date / TimePort
Day1 23:55Departing from Papeete, Tahiti Island
Day2 08:00 - 17:00Fakarava Atoll, Tuamotus
Day3 08:00 - 18:00Fatu Hiva Island, Marquesas
Day4 08:00 - 18:00Hiva Oa Island (Atuona)
Day5 08:00 - 18:00Tahuata Island, Marquesas
Day6 08:00 - 18:00Nuku Hiva Island, Marquesas
Days 7-8-9At Sea
Day10 08:00 - 17:00Huahine Island, Society Islands
Day11 08:00 - 23:00Bora Bora Island, Society Islands
Day12 09:00 - 17:00Tahaa Island, Society Islands
Day13 08:00 - 17:00Moorea Island, Society Islands
Day14 SepArriving in Papeete, Tahiti Island

The 14-day roundtrip Papeete voyage is priced from USD 8150 pp (double-occupancy cabin rates).

Fatu Hiva Island cruise terminal

Marquesas Islands' highest elevation point is Mt Oave (on Ua Pou island) - 1230 m (4035 ft) above sea level. The Marquesas are one of French Polynesia's all 5 administrative divisions. Their capital is Taiohae (on Nuku Hiva Island). Group's total population is around 10,000.

The islands are divided into two groups:

  • Northern - Eiao, Hatutu, Motu Iti, Motu Oa, Motu One, Nuku Hiva (388 km2, pop 3000), Ua Huka (83 km2, pop 600) and Ua Pou (106 km2, pop 2200)
  • Southern - Hiva Oa (327 km2, pop 2200), Fatu Hiva (85 km2, pop 600), Fatu Huku, Moho Tani, Motu Nao, Tahuata (61 km2, pop 700) and Terihi.

The islands were named by the Spanish explorer Alvaro de Mendana (1542-1595). The Marquesas are served by all 4 airports (on Nuku Hiva, Ua Pu, Ua Huka, Hiva Oa). Follows the list of Marquesas cruise ports (docking/bay anchorage points) by island:

  • Fatu Hiva Island (Hanavave or Omoa)
  • Hiva Oa Island (Atuona, also anchoring at Pau Mao Bay)
  • Nuka Hiva Island (Tiaohae)
  • Tahuata Island - either at Vaitahu (central) or Hapatoni (south) - both port towns on the western coast
  • Ua Pou Island (Hakahau)

Note: For detailed info on exact island destination (port stops) in the Marquesas please contact your cruise booking/travel agent.

Getting Ashore on Fatu Hiva

Easy independently within the landing village. Organized excursion recommended for travel between villages. Fatu Hiva has two cruise landing villages, Omoa and Hanavave. Ships generally anchor offshore and use small boats to bring passengers ashore. At Omoa, tenders can land at the village pier. At Hanavave, the small harbor is next to the village in the Bay of Virgins. Confirm your landing and return points onboard. Some itineraries land at Omoa and later move to Hanavave.

Both villages can be explored on foot from their landing points. Arrange any longer transfer in advance through the ship or a local operator. The road between the villages is steep and winding, and you should plan on having your return transport confirmed before leaving the landing village.

Best Ways to Spend Your Time

Omoa Village and Marquesan Crafts

Allow about 1–2 hours for a village walk, with time to browse barkcloth and woodcarvings if artisans are receiving visitors. Some calls include a demonstration of tapa, the traditional cloth made by beating tree bark. Check onboard whether a demonstration or a visit to the small private Musée Grelet is arranged for your call.

Hanavave and the Bay of Virgins

Allow 45–90 minutes for an easy outing from the harbor. Walk along the village road for views of the rock pinnacles, then return to the waterfront for a different angle across the bay. For a longer outing, ask onboard about a guided walk to the waterfall behind the village. The inland trail is uneven and can be slippery after rain. Confirm trail conditions and the expected return time before setting out.

Cross the Island by Road

A prearranged 4WD excursion is the simplest way to see both villages on a call that lands at only one. The road climbs inland to viewpoints before descending to the other bay. Some Aranui itineraries offer a strenuous one-way hike from Omoa to Hanavave, roughly 15–16 km (9.3–9.9 mi), with the ship repositioning while passengers walk. Join the hike only when the operator has confirmed the route and pickup in Hanavave.

Self-Guided Walk in Omoa

Village Pier, Church and Craft Centre

Start at the tender pier and follow the village road to the church. Continue to the craft centre, then stop at Musée Grelet if it is open. Retrace your route to the pier. Allow roughly 20–30 minutes of walking and 1–2 hours with stops. The route is easy at a relaxed pace, with some walking along local roads.

Returning to the Ship

Check the last tender time and whether the ship is moving to the other bay. For an independent outing, aim to be back at the confirmed landing at least 30 minutes before the last tender. Allow more time after an inland walk or a road transfer, especially if rain or swell is affecting operations.

Fatu Hiva Island hotels