Hike· Nuku Hiva· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Taiohae Sentinel and Palapa Hike
8° 55.8′ S · 140° 5.6′ W · approximate
A surprisingly gentle climb on a maintained footpath to the gazebo (palapa) on the skyline at the SE corner of the bay, with views over the anchorage, the south coast and Ua Pou on a clear day.
Practical
Position approx: plotted on the east headland of the bay entrance (Sentinelle de l'Est) between the cruise-ship quay and the Noonsite entrance position; estimated. Directions (compendium 2018-2020): turn right from the dock, past the hospital, uphill; where the road turns right and descends to the big quay, continue straight on the smaller concrete road, which becomes gravel and then a footpath with bridges and cut steps, zig-zagging to the top; only the last couple of hundred metres are rocky. Little shade: carry plenty of water and start before 7am. Allow 1.5-2 hours return. A tourist sign marks the turn to the gazebo, lookout and beach. The official brief (2023) lists this as a 3 km trail to the Matauapuna sentry, ideal at sunset, with a small pebble beach; the trailhead has a red sail-shaped sign.
Best for
Best panorama of Taiohae Bay on foot
Nearby
- Sentinel Hammerhead Dive Site (Taiohae Entrance)0.2 NM away
- Aranui Supply Ship Days (Taiohae)0.5 NM away
- Champ Jaune Dive Site (Taiohae)0.5 NM away
- Naha Quincaillerie (Taiohae)0.5 NM away
- Taiohae Total Fuel Station0.5 NM away
- Taiohae Beaches (Kouvea and West Beach)0.8 NM away
- Taiohae No-Anchoring Zone0.8 NM away
- Marquesas Cyclone-Season Refuge (Taiohae)0.9 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).