UNESCO Heritage: Explore the Marquesas Islands on the Aranui 5

30/09/2024

The Marquesas "Te Henua Enata" (the 'Land of Men') has been selected to join the prestigious UNESCO club of World Heritage Sites for its significant achievement in maintaining the archipelago's natural value and cultural heritage.

The announcement was made at the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting, held in New Delhi, India, from July 21 to 31, 2024.

Archaeologist Anatauarii Tamarii, who headed up the Cultural Heritage Directorate of Culture and Heritage of French Polynesia and is in charge of the islands' cultural aspects, has been working on the application to register Te Henua Enata - Marquesas Islands as a new UNESCO World Heritage Site for seven years.

According to the UN organization, the Marquesas Islands provide exceptional testimony to their "territorial occupation by a human civilization that arrived by sea around the year 1000 CE and developed on these isolated islands between the 10th and 19th centuries."

UNESCO World Heritage: Exceptional Recognition

Of the 1,223 properties now inscribed as World Heritage sites, only 40, including the Marquesas Islands, are inscribed based on both sets of criteria for natural and cultural recognition. Of these, there are currently only five UNESCO World Heritage sites in the two terrestrial and maritime ecosystems, and only two of these five, along with the Marquesas, are located in the Pacific Ocean, making the inclusion of the Marquesas islands to the world heritage list a very rare and significant addition.

What is UNESCO World Heritage?

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) was founded in 1972 to promote the identification, protection, and preservation of the world's cultural and natural heritage.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is defined as a cultural or natural site that is considered to be of "Outstanding Universal Value" to humanity. These sites are inscribed on the World Heritage List by the World Heritage Committee and are protected to be enjoyed by future generations.

UNESCO developed ten criteria to determine what constitutes a World Heritage Site, including:

Representing a masterpiece of human creative genius
Exhibiting an important interchange of human values
Bearing a unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or civilization

Why is the Classification of a UNESCO Heritage Site Important?

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is in charge of identifying, protecting, and preserving World Heritage Sites.

The designation of a UNESCO World Heritage Site is significant because it recognizes and protects places thought to be of exceptional universal value to the world, demonstrating the evolution of human history over thousands of years and preserving these sites for future generations to enjoy and appreciate.

It also promotes these important sites across countries and generations as unique examples of the world's cultural and natural heritage, granting them recognition so that they can be preserved. Furthermore, the classification indicates that these sites belong to all peoples of the world, regardless of where they are located.

What are the Types of Heritage?

The World Heritage list is divided into three categories: cultural (such as a temple), natural (such as a rainforest), and mixed.

Natural World Heritage sites include natural formations, ecosystems, and protected areas for plants and animals; Cultural Heritage sites include human cultural achievements such as art, architecture, and religion; and mixed sites, such as the Marquesas, have both natural and cultural heritage.

The fourth type of World Heritage is called Intangible Cultural Heritage. This acknowledges the important traditions that are passed down through generations and includes oral traditions and expressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, and festive events, as well as knowledge about nature and the universe and traditional craft skills. Intangible cultural heritage is important because it can generate wellbeing among communities and help people understand others by connecting people to their environment and be a factor in placemaking and economic regeneration.

The Marquesas Islands: A Unique Natural and Cultural Treasure

The UNESCO classification recognizes the Marquesas as home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including rare plants, emblematic marine species, and a variety of seabirds. The islands' waters are considered to be among the world's last marine wilderness areas, with spinner dolphins often spotted nearby. The island's rich cultural heritage also extends to its unique arts such as traditional tattoos, wood carving, dance, and music and are home to archaeological sites, including dry-stone structures, lithic sculptures, and engravings.

The success of the World Heritage designation not only rewards the efforts of a team who have devoted their time to supporting the application, but it also represents a new era for the archipelago.

The Marquesas anticipates that the listing will bring greater recognition of the value of their heritage and is for the islanders a genuine social project. They also expect their quality of life to improve as the archipelago develops more sustainably and attracts more visitors. Thanks to the UNESCO listing they will now also be able to fully implement a new development policy that is consistent with their lifestyle goals for greater prosperity while preserving their long-held heritage and traditions.

The archipelago is one of the most remote on the planet, keeping it relatively free of mass tourism. However, through World Heritage-related management and conservation measures, it is hoped that in the coming decades, the Marquesas will become a more popular cultural and natural tourism destination, inspiring the world with its beauty, exceptional biodiversity, and rich cultural heritage, allowing its visitors and local communities to be directly involved in preserving this unique legacy.

Discover the Marquesas Islands with the Aranui 5: A Unique Experience

One of the best and most unique ways to see the UNESCO listed Marquesas islands is aboard the dual purpose, cargo/cruise ship Aranui 5.

Aranui 5 can accommodate 230 guests in 103 comfortable suites, staterooms, and dormitory-style rooms, some with balconies.

Affectionately known as the 'freighter to paradise' the cruise ship explores all six of the inhabited Marquesas islands (Nuku Hiva, Ua Huka, Ua Pou, Hiva Oa, Fatu Hiva and Tahuata) on a 12-day voyage of the archipelago. Located in the Pacific Ocean, 900 miles from Tahiti, the Marquesas are so remote that Aranui 5 is, in fact, the lifeline to the islanders and is often referred to as the 'Seven's Island' due to the close relationship the ship holds with the Marquesas.

Highlights of the voyage include exploring the UNESCO-protected archaeological sites of the Taipivai Valley on Nuku Hiva, which is dotted with stone tikis and rock art, followed by an 'Umu' pork lunch cooked in a typical, Marquesan underground oven. Traversing the mountains of Ua Huka by 4X4 and seeing the famed Marquesan horses that roam wild on this island. Hiking to the 'Cross' on the 'Cathedral' island of Ua Pou, with its 12 mighty basalt summits rising up to 3,745 feet. Visiting artist Paul Gauguin's former home, grave, and replica of his 'House of Pleasure' on Hiva Oa and seeing Belgian singer and actor, Jacques Brel's last resting place, nearby, as well as his aircraft at a memorial museum. Seeing craftspeople at work and watching the sunset in the UNESCO World Heritage Bay of Virgins on Fatu Hiva, the most lush and distant of the islands visited on the voyage. Discovering the stories of conquistadores, missionaries, and French settlers who shaped the history of Tahuata, the smallest inhabited island.

Why Choose the Aranui 5 to Explore this New World Heritage Site?

The cruise is the best way to explore the new World Heritage site as it is the only one that visits all the islands and offers such a rich variety of exclusive experiences that reflect the islanders' proud heritage in art, dance, music, and tattoos. The ship has two spacious lounges that host an onboard program of insightful talks throughout the cruise about life in the Marquesas.

The crew, many of whom are from the Marquesas, also enjoy sharing stories with the passengers and for them to be fully immersed in an authentic cultural experience and enable them to participate in onboard lessons such as local dances or languages, palm frond weaving, ukulele lessons, a cooking demonstration, and a class on how to wear and tie a local pareo dress.

As a responsible cruise line, Aranui Cruises contributes to the sustainable development of the archipelago, and by joining a cruise aboard Aranui 5 passengers become, often unknowingly, part of a greater mission, and their contribution goes further than they might imagine. The arrival of Aranui 5 is always met with fervent anticipation in the islands, and over the years, the company has played a significant role in bolstering the local Marquesan economy and greatly contributed to developing a sustainable economy in one the most remote archipelagos on earth.

For example, the ship supports the next generation of islanders by offering financial aid and free transportation for essential school materials such as school bags, books, diverse supplies, and computer equipment crucial for students and educational institutions across the Marquesas. Moreover, Aranui extends financial support to budding athletes and promising students, assisting with their travel and accommodation expenses during both sporting events and academic competitions. Notably aiding those taking part in the Va'a Marquesan League for the Hawaiki Nui outrigger competition, ensuring these young talents can participate and thrive.

The Aranui 5: Your Passport to World Heritage

Cruises have long been a popular way to explore the world while enjoying the luxury and comfort of a floating hotel. With a capacity for up to 230 guests in 103 comfortable suites, staterooms, and dormitory-style rooms, some with balconies, Aranui 5, not only offers comfort and adventure but is also a particularly convenient way to discover the newest UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Alongside the amenities of a first-class cruise ship they also experience the fascination of life aboard a working cargo ship and become part of this unique supply chain in French Polynesia. This blend of luxury and authenticity makes the Aranui 5 a unique travel experience. It departs Tahiti for the Marquesas, Tuamotus and Society Islands in French Polynesia on a 13-day cruise that includes meals and excursions as per the program. The Aranui 5 was built to provide all the comforts of a cruise ship while still fulfilling her role as a supply vessel. This special feature gives the ship its own unique character and allows guests to participate in an authentic maritime experience.

Prepare Your Trip to World Heritage

The climate in the Marquesas is subtropical, warmer, and more humid than the Society Islands. While they are not affected by cyclones, they do experience more variable temperatures and more occasional rainfall. Generally speaking, the Northern Marquesas Islands are rather arid, sometimes experiencing severe droughts. The wet season is from January to early March, when temperatures are warmest with an average of 82°F (28°C). The best time to cruise the Marquesas Islands is therefore between May and December, when there is the least amount of rain. However, it should be noted that any time of the year is a good time to visit the Marquesas Islands with Aranui 5, as the experience is primarily based on the discovery of Marquesan culture and traditions.

Before you go on your Aranui 5 cruise be sure to pack casual clothes. Shorts, T-shirts, shirts, swimming costumes and an evening outfit (dress, light pants, and shirt) will do. For your feet, you should bring boat shoes, a pair of tennis shoes for walking, a pair of aqua shoes for use in the sea and a pair of flip-flops.

The Marquesas archipelago has been connected to high-speed internet since December 2018. However the connections can be patchy except on the larger islands, such as Nuku Hiva which is connected directly to the Natitua cable, and their main villages, Atuona and Taiohae, have had a fixed fiber optic network and a 4G mobile network since the first half of 2020.

The Marquesas are renowned for their handicrafts, so don't hesitate to shop locally and bring back some small souvenirs (stone carvings, wood, bone, tapa, etc.). On each of the islands there is a craft center where local artisans sell their handmade products. The island is known for its woodcarvings, and it is a skill for which the islands' master carvers are renowned throughout the Pacific.