Canonical page: /p/france/atuona/ Collected: 2026-10-18 JSON: /p/france/atuona/index.json [Ports](/ports/) France # Atuona [About the port](/p/france/atuona/)[Timetable](/p/france/atuona/timetable/2026-10/) Getting ashore Anchored in Atuona Bay Into town Host pick-up or 4WD Best starting point Atuona village Currency [CFP franc - XPF](https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/?Amount=1&From=XPF) ## Getting ashore Ships anchor in Atuona Bay, and the Paul Gauguin is among the ships that call. Details of the tender and the landing are not set out here, so ask the ship how passengers reach shore, and confirm tender times and the return point in the ship's notice. The Paul Gauguin is listed for 28 October 2026, from 07:00 to 18:00. Two earlier calls, by Le Jacques Cartier and Silver Cloud on 13 and 15 October, have already passed. Aranui cargo-passenger ships, which take passengers on 14-day voyages from Tahiti, stop at Atuona for one day on each call. On the Paul Gauguin's 14-day Marquesas, Tuamotus and Society Islands voyage, Hiva Oa is on day four, between Fatu Hiva and Tahuata. ## For walkers and architecture fans Atuona village has grocery stores and pensions. The Gauguin Cultural Centre holds copies of his works, some archaeological finds and a rebuilt replica of his house. Its hours vary by day, with a midday break on weekdays. Gauguin and Jacques Brel are both buried on a hill above Atuona, at Calvary Cemetery. The Jacques Brel Centre, next to the Gauguin centre, charges 500 F. The Smiling Tiki, a 1 m statue in a forest clearing, is a short walk from the airport road, marked by a handmade sign. On the Aranui 5 itinerary, the stop at Atuona includes the Paul Gauguin burial site, lunch at Hoa Nui Restaurant and a museum. ## For nature and outdoor fans Hiva Oa is the second-largest island in the Marquesas, with about 2,200 residents, and its highest point is Temetiu, at 1,213 m. Most sights in the interior need a 4WD road or an unmarked trail, and a guide is recommended for both. The Taaoa archaeological site has a large marae, about 7 km by road from Atuona. Iipona, near Puamau, is one of the best-preserved sites in French Polynesia, about two hours by 4x4 from Atuona. Tiki Moeone, near Hanapaaoa, is a crowned tiki hidden in a forest, about 1.5 hours by 4WD, and needs a guide. The Tehueto and Hanatekuua petroglyphs also need a guide. Horse riding at Hamau Ranch costs 7,000 to 14,000 F, and SubAtuona, described as the only dive centre in the Marquesas, offers dives at 7,000 to 13,000 F. These prices may have changed, so check before booking. Step-free routes are not described for any of these sites. ## For eaters and drinkers Pension restaurants serve a mix of Polynesian and French food. The Hanakee restaurant, which serves French food, is often called the best on the island, and the lodge is about 10 minutes by car from Atuona. Other Atuona restaurants include Noa Nui, Relais Moehau, known for fish pizza, and Snack Makemake. Drinks are available at pensions. Grocery stores in Atuona and the villages are the place to buy supplies, and shop hours are not set out here, so check on arrival. ## Getting around and money Air Tahiti flies from Tahiti to Hiva Oa, some days direct and some days through Nuku Hiva, so check the flight days before you book. There are no taxis or public transport on the island, so ask your host to meet you. Rental cars and 4WD tours can be booked through a pension or with three local firms: Atuona Rent-a-car, Hiva Oa Location and David Location. Check their prices and availability directly. Hiking trails are unmarked apart from the 4WD roads, so a guide is strongly recommended, at 1,000 F an hour or 8,000 F a day. Three operators in Atuona offer 4x4 safaris. The currency is the CFP franc, with ISO code XPF, and prices are quoted in F. Check whether cards are accepted before you buy. Wi-Fi is available at Temetiu Village, a family-run pension about a 10-minute walk from Atuona, and at the Hanakee Hiva Oa Pearl Lodge on a hill above Tahauku Bay. Mobile coverage is not set out here, so check with your phone provider before you go. ## Accessibility & mobility The guide describes most sights as reached by 4WD road or unmarked trail, and the Iipona and Tiki Moeone sites need a drive of up to two hours. Step-free access is not described for any site. Ask the ship about the tender and anchorage, and arrange a vehicle that suits the group before the call. Plan your call ## Who's in port? 8 calls in the collected schedule. [View timetable](/p/france/atuona/timetable/2026-10/) ## Maps & transport - [Atuona Bay on Google MapsAnchorage area ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Atuona+Bay+Hiva+Oa+French+Polynesia) - [Hiva Oa on WikivoyageIsland guide ↗](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Hiva_Oa) ## Useful links - [CruiseMapper port wikiPort overview and ship calls ↗](https://cruisemapper.com/ports/hiva-oa-island-port-652?tab=wiki) - [Hiva Oa on WikivoyageTransport, sights and lodging ↗](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Hiva_Oa) - [Convert CFP francs to your currencyDaily reference rates ↗](https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/?Amount=1&From=XPF)