Iipona
A ceremonial platform at Puamau on Hiva Oa, holding the largest stone tiki in French Polynesia.
Updated 2 September 2026
UNESCO World Heritage
Iipona at Puamau is the most important tiki site in the Marquesas: a stone platform holding five large figures in red tuff, the largest, Takaii, standing around two and a half metres, which makes it the biggest stone tiki in French Polynesia. Another, Maki Taua Pepe, lies prone in an unusual posture generally read as a woman in childbirth. The site was restored in the 1990s. Hiva Oa is a named component of the UNESCO listing.
What's there
- Takaii - the largest stone tiki in French Polynesia at around two and a half metres.
- Maki Taua Pepe - the prone figure in an unusual posture among the group.
- The platform - the ceremonial paepae the figures stand on.
- The red tuff - the stone the figures are carved from.
When to go
May to October is the dry season and best for the road. The drive from Atuona takes a couple of hours on rough road. Mornings are coolest.
Practical notes
The road to Puamau is rough and the drive takes a couple of hours each way. Interpretation on site is limited. Nono flies are a nuisance.
Nearby
Puamau village is nearby, and Atuona is southwest.
What to pack for Iipona
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A refillable water bottle - Many cities have public fountains; save money and plastic. Find on Amazon
- A light layer + compact umbrella - For museum air-con and a sudden shower. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
