Most tours stop in Taipivai to visit the Paeke archaeological site, which lies on a hillside at the exit of the village on the way to Hatiheu (the path that leads to the site is not signed, so ask around). It features two well-preserved me’ae (traditional sacred sites) flanked by a set of brick-coloured tiki. The me’ae further up the hill has a pit into which human remains were thrown. From the main road, it’s a 20-minute walk uphill on a path.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
3.08 MILES
It’s believed that this extensive communal site, with its paved esplanade, belonged to the war chief Pakoko, who was killed by the French in 1845. Today…
1.89 MILES
One of the most powerful archaeological sites in the Marquesas, Hikokua was discovered by the archaeologist Robert Suggs in 1957 and has been restored and…
3.85 MILES
Rebuilt for the 1989 Marquesas Festival, this pae pae (traditional meeting platform) contains modern sculptures and a dozen magnificent tiki made by the…
Notre-Dame Cathedral of the Marquesas Islands
3.72 MILES
This striking building is built from wood and stones on a former sacred site venerated by the ancient Marquesans. The stones come from the archipelago’s…
4.29 MILES
This little museum has a few documents and some beautiful ancient Marquesan artefacts. It also doubles as a small craft shop. Entry was free at the time…
1.49 MILES
Other sites around Taipivai include the new Te Ai'tua mea'a built for the 2011 Marquesas Festival and decked out in interesting modern, mostly cement tiki.
3.73 MILES
On the seafront, opposite the Kamake shop, you can’t miss this obelisk fronted by a cannon constructed in honour of Étienne Marchand.
Nearby Nuku Hiva attractions
1.49 MILES
Other sites around Taipivai include the new Te Ai'tua mea'a built for the 2011 Marquesas Festival and decked out in interesting modern, mostly cement tiki.
1.89 MILES
One of the most powerful archaeological sites in the Marquesas, Hikokua was discovered by the archaeologist Robert Suggs in 1957 and has been restored and…
3.08 MILES
It’s believed that this extensive communal site, with its paved esplanade, belonged to the war chief Pakoko, who was killed by the French in 1845. Today…
6. Notre-Dame Cathedral of the Marquesas Islands
3.72 MILES
This striking building is built from wood and stones on a former sacred site venerated by the ancient Marquesans. The stones come from the archipelago’s…
3.73 MILES
On the seafront, opposite the Kamake shop, you can’t miss this obelisk fronted by a cannon constructed in honour of Étienne Marchand.