There are only a few thousand tourists a year: discovering internationally recognized but little-known island paradise

The world is full of amazing places that offer their visitors unforgettable experiences and incredible views. However, most popular tourist destinations have long since lost their original charm.

In pursuit of new sensations, many travelers are looking for quiet, unexplored places where they can enjoy nature, unique culture and tranquility. CNN told us about one of such places, namely the Marquesas Islands.

In a world full of popular tourist destinations, where crowds turn them into noisy and bustling environments, there are still hidden places that remain out of the limelight of mass tourism. For example, the Marquesas Islands, which is a remote archipelago in the South Pacific.

At the 2024 UNESCO Convention, they were included in the World Heritage List. This status was granted for the archipelago's exceptional cultural and ecological heritage. The remote location and limited human intervention have made the waters around the islands one of the world's last marine wilderness areas where dolphins can be seen performing 'stunts' right off the shore.

This place is also known as Te Henua Enata, or "The Land of the People" (Dening 14), and is part of French Polynesia. The region consists of 12 islands, of which only half are inhabited. The archipelago is home to about 9000 people, with the largest part of the population concentrated on the island of Nuku Hiva.

The Marquesas Islands are located approximately 4000 kilometers southeast of Hawaii and 4700 kilometers east of Fiji. Due to this remote location, they have not been affected by mass tourism, which has allowed them to preserve their natural beauty and authenticity.

According to the Institute of Statistics for French Polynesia (ISFP), only 10,995 tourists visited the Marquesas Islands in 2023, which is less than 2% of the total number of travelers who arrived in Tahiti.

Getting to the Marquesas Islands

Most tourists arrive in the Marquesas Islands through Tahiti's Faaʻa International Airport and then continue by boat to Nuku Hiva and other islands in the archipelago.

The Aranui 5 boat is a dual-purpose vessel that delivers people and cargo on 12-day cruises from Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia. This trip not only allows you to enjoy the beauty of the islands, but also gives you the opportunity to see them from different angles.

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