Tahuata... culture and spirituality
Personnality: Mountanous, proud

 Identity

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Pronounciation: "Ta-U-Ata"
Origin of the name: Tahuata means "Dawn"
Budget level: Very inexpensive
Encounter: A neighbor of Hiva Oa, the island of Tahuata is very small and very mountanous.  It has a  rich past, an astonishing nature and it remains very isolated despite its neighbor's notoriety and proximity.

At a glance: main town: Vaitahu. Population: 650. Tahuata is located only 4 km South of Hiva Oa, both islands being sepatated by a channel with violent currents. Tahuata has 3 times less inhabitants than its larger neighbor. They are scattered around 4 villages, each one located in a valley opening to the sea with a small bay. No port or dock to land, so in Tahuata, people still use the old-fashioned method: a whaling boat (long boat) to unload the visitors and the supplies.

How to get there: A sea shuttle connects the village of Atuona (Hiva-Oa) to the village of Vaitahu (Tahuata). The distance between both islands is only 4km (2.5 miles), but the crossing takes an hour as you have to sail along Tahuata to reach Vaitahu. No airport on the island of Tahuata, but a  helicopter connection is available to Hiva-Oa, a 10-minute flight. The Aranui passengers-freighter, which sails around the Marquesas every month, makes a quick stop in Tahuata.