Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia
Pension Mave Mai
About this stay
Pension Mave Mai is a family guesthouse in Taiohae, the main village of Nuku Hiva and the administrative centre of the Marquesas. Founded in 1999 by the Tata family and now run by the next generation, it sits slightly up the hill with views over Taiohae Bay. There are a dozen air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms and two bungalows with kitchenettes, and half-board rates are offered. The village's shops, wharf and restaurants are close by. It suits travelers who want a central, family-run base for exploring Nuku Hiva.
Good for
About Marquesas Islands
The Marquesas are a group of high, steep volcanic islands in the far northeast of French Polynesia, about 1,400 km from Tahiti. Six islands are inhabited, the largest being Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa. There are almost no lagoons or fringing reefs, so this is not a beach destination. It suits hikers, history lovers and travellers interested in living culture, and it rewards slow, flexible travel more than short stays.
Getting there
Air Tahiti flies from Papeete to Nuku Hiva (NHV) and Hiva Oa (AUK) in about three to four hours, with smaller planes linking the islands within the group. A mixed cargo and passenger ship sails regularly from Papeete on round trips of about two weeks, calling at all six inhabited islands.