We've spent 3 weeks in the Marquesas. We visited each of the three main islands of the northern group. We missed the southern group altogether, for various reasons -- we can't visit every island in the South Pacific!
After 5 days diving at UA HUKA we moved on to the island of NUKA HIVA where we cleared-in with the gendarmerie at the main town in TAIOHAE Bay. Ginger had to deposit a $1300 Repatriation Bond; as an EU Citizen, I did not. It's a nice little town with two grocery stores, three restaurants and a gas station. So in a few days we were able to re-supply with produce and fuel, and eat out.
These chores done, we moved to Daniel's Bay for a few days. Here, we hiked up the valley with the crews of two other boats and visited a spectacular high waterfall where we swam in the pool beneath it. We also dived near Daniels Bay, but visibility was poor.
After another produce stop in TAIOHAE we visited Controller Bay for a couple of days and made two dives there. Finally, we crossed to the island of UA POU and stayed several days in VAEIHU Bay for three more dives.
The 11 dives we did in the Marquesas were generally very good with plenty of fish of many new species, many unique to these islands, but what was remarkable was the prevalence of Manta Rays. We saw Mantas during or close by 9 of our 11 dives. We saw more Mantas than sharks! That is very unusual.
We have now left UA POU and are underway south to the TUOMOTU Archipeligo, a 480 mile trip of 3-4 days.