Day 1 (Arrive by sea + Omoa village + tapa craft)

Morning / Midday

• Arrive by sea (most travelers connect from Hiva Oa using the Te Ata O Hiva maritime shuttle) and settle into your accommodation.

• Confirm your return sea schedule immediately, because capacity is limited and weather can shift timing.​

Afternoon

• Explore Omoa, one of Fatu Hiva’s two main villages; Aranui notes the ship commonly stops at Omoa and that it’s a base for the cross-island route.​

• Prioritize local craftsmanship: Tahiti Tourisme highlights the Marquesas for tapa and traditional arts, and Fatu Hiva is especially associated with tapa-making.​

Evening

• Early dinner with your hosts; nights are quiet and early starts matter.​

Day 2 (Cross-island day: Omoa → Hanavave)

Option A: The famous hike (fit hikers)

• Aranui describes a 4‑hour, ~15 km cross-island walk from Omoa (east) to Hanavave (west) with spectacular cliff views and lush tropical vegetation, with a picnic at the summit for their passengers.​

• Treat this as a serious hike: start early, bring plenty of water, and arrange logistics for your arrival in Hanavave.​

Option B: Boat transfer (more visitor-friendly)

• If you prefer less exertion, Aranui notes non-hikers can sail from Omoa to Hanavave and then go ashore to explore the village and valley.​

Evening

• Overnight in/near Hanavave if possible, so you can enjoy the bay at dusk and early morning.​

Day 3 (Hanavave: Bay of the Virgins + valley time)

Morning

• Spend your prime hours in Hanavave and the Bay of the Virgins, which Aranui calls one of the most beautiful bays in the world and especially striking at dusk/sunset light.​

• Walk into the village; Aranui notes visitors can see a small church with an elaborate wooden altar and a waterfall at the end of the valley.​

Midday

• Swim/photo time, then keep heat-management simple (shade breaks, hydration).​

Afternoon

• Return by sea toward Hiva Oa per shuttle timing and weather.

Split-stay strategy (Omoa + Hanavave)

A split stay is the best way to experience both sides without backtracking.​

• Night 1 (Omoa): easiest for arrival logistics and tapa/craft time.

• Night 2 (Hanavave): best for Bay of the Virgins atmosphere and early/late light.​

• Night 3 (Hiva Oa or back on Hiva Oa): practical if you have flights and need reliable transport.​

Top 10 activities (Fatu Hiva)

• Travel to the island via maritime shuttle Te Ata O Hiva (book ahead).​

• Village walk and cultural time in Omoa.​

• Tapa craft discovery (Marquesas signature art).​

• Cross-island hike Omoa → Hanavave (fit hikers).​

• Boat transfer Omoa ↔ Hanavave (less physical).​

• Bay of the Virgins photography session (best light morning/dusk).​

• Waterfall walk at the end of Hanavave valley (as noted by Aranui).​

• Church visit in Hanavave (wooden altar noted by Aranui).​

• Quiet beach/lagoon swim time (conditions permitting).​

• Coordinate activities through the official Tourism Committee contact.

Top 10 attractions (priorities)

• Omoa village.​

• Hanavave village.​

• Bay of the Virgins (Hanavave bay).​

• Cross-island ridge route viewpoints (Omoa–Hanavave).​

• Hanavave valley waterfall area (end of valley).​

• Marquesas Islands cultural landscape context (official destination framing).​

Restaurants (what’s realistic on Fatu Hiva)

Fatu Hiva is tiny and sea-access only, so dining is typically provided by pensions/hosts rather than standalone restaurants with official websites.​
For accuracy, plan meals through your accommodation and confirm what’s included (breakfast/dinner often set menus).​
If you share your lodging shortlist, the dining section can be expanded into “where to eat (by pension and village)” using official listing pages.

Shopping (tapa + crafts)

The Marquesas are officially highlighted for traditional arts such as tapa and sculpture, and Fatu Hiva is especially linked to tapa-making.​
Plan to shop directly from artisans and keep purchases small and packable for sea transfers.

Travel tips (Fatu Hiva logistics)

• No flights: Tahiti Tourisme states Fatu Hiva is accessible only by sea, so you must build your itinerary around boat schedules and weather.​

• Book the shuttle: Tahiti Tourisme PF describes Te Ata O Hiva as a 40-seat, air‑conditioned maritime shuttle and recommends reserving to guarantee your place.​

• Build buffer days if possible: if you have fixed international flights, consider staying an extra night on Hiva Oa before/after Fatu Hiva to protect against schedule changes.​

Top 40 official websites (Fatu Hiva planning links)

Marquesas Islands overview (Tahiti Tourisme PF): 

• https://tahititourisme.pf/en-pf/islands-and-archipelagos/marquesas-islands/

Marquesas Islands overview (Tahiti Tourisme): 

• https://www.tahititourisme.com/islands/marquesas-islands/

Tourism Committee of Fatu Hiva (Tahiti Tourisme PF listing): 

• https://tahititourisme.pf/en-pf/activities/so-much-to-do/tourism-committee-of-fatu-hiva-fatu-hiva-en-en-pf-3363232/

Tourism Committee of Fatu Hiva (Tahiti Tourisme): 

• https://www.tahititourisme.com/service/tourism-committee-of-fatu-hiva/

Te Ata O Hiva shuttle (Tahiti Tourisme PF listing): 

• https://tahititourisme.pf/en-pf/activities/so-much-to-do/te-ata-o-hiva-hiva-oa-en-en-pf-3446904/

Air Tahiti – Flights to Hiva Oa (gateway for the shuttle): 

• https://www.airtahiti.com/en/hiva-oa