Hakaui Valley and Vaipo Waterfall Hike (Nuku Hiva)

8° 54.4′ S · 140° 10.0′ W

From Daniel's Bay, walk an ancient paved trail past paepae ruins and river crossings into a narrowing canyon to Vaipo, a single 350 m horsetail drop, the tallest waterfall in Polynesia outside New Zealand and Hawaii; swim through the boulder gap into the cliff-ringed pool beneath it.

Tuamotus Marquesas

Practical

Coordinate is the Wikipedia/GeoHack position of the falls. Trail starts from the left (west) side of the beach by a prominent tree about 20 m from shore; at high tide you may wade around rocks. About 1.5-3 hours each way depending on pace and recent rain. Pay the trail-maintenance fee at the house past the phone booth on the left: 1,000 XPF per adult (2019-2024; kids 500), usually with a gift of fruit. Several river crossings (hip-deep possible): wear shoes that can get wet; walking sticks are left at the second crossing. At the old village take the right-hand path and follow white arrows and rock cairns. Don't go when it is raining hard or forecast: rising rivers can trap you, and rockfall is a real danger near the falls and the open field below the cliffs (move quickly and quietly). Freshwater eels in the pool nip but are harmless. In the dry season it can be a trickle. Heavy mosquitoes and no-nos: repellent, reapply after swimming. Book lunch on the way up with Kua and Teiki for the walk back.

Hakaui Valley and Vaipo Waterfall Hike (Nuku Hiva)

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