Atuona, Marquesas, French Polynesia Cruises

Atuona, Marquesas, French Polynesia Cruise Port

• Diving in the tropical waters is different than in other areas of French Polynesia, as the Marquesan coast doesn't have the pretty coral reefs or lagoons you might see elsewhere. Instead, geology fans will delight in the island's volcanic makeup, consisting of eroded and semi-submerged extinct volcano peaks.
   
• Shoppers on the lookout for handcrafted items (such as locally made clothing, wood carvings, stone carvings, tapa, and jewels made of bone) can find them in the few shops in Atuona.
   
• A visit to the Tehueto petroglyphs is a must for anyone interested in ancient Marquesan civilization. High up in the Tahauku Valley, they are a good walk from Tahauku Bay; if your cruise line offers shore excursions along with a guide to get you there, definitely take advantage of it. Look for the carvings on either side of the large rock, and follow the trail uphill to find a tiki carved in on the side of the stone platform.
   
• Of course, an island is bound to have fresh seafood, so dining here includes a lot of this – as well as goat, another Marquesan specialty, and fresh island produce.