Marae Fare Opu
Large royal marae, unfortunately, half buried under a road. Some stones contain petroglyphs – depictions of turtles. Made in the 15th – 16th century. Ahu is 25 m long.
Morongo Uta
One of the most impressive inland fortifications in Rapa Iti, built around 1500 AD on the top of 258 m high mountain. This small island has 13 – 14 prehistoric mountaintop fortifications.
Niau tropical forest – feo
One of the rare areas covered with a specific ecosystem – Tuamotu tropical moist forest. The whole island – atoll is some 20 km² large. The island has a green, hypersaline lagoon. The only habitat of the very rare Tuamotu kingfisher (Todiramphus gambieri).
Me’ae Iipona
A ceremonial site with the largest prehistoric stone statues (tiki) in French Polynesia, up to 2.6 m high. Restored in 1991.
Vaipo Falls
Approximately 350 m tall waterfall in dramatic, impressive valley.
Vailulu’u Eel City and Moat of Death
A hydrothermal vent in the summit of an enormous submarine volcano rises 4,200 m from the ocean floor. The Nafanue volcanic cone in the center of the 400 m deep caldera contains a group of hydrothermal vents inhabited by numerous eels (Dysommina rugosa). This is unusual – in general vertebrates do not live near hydrothermal vents.
Sinaloa Waterfall
The tallest waterfall in Samoa – 180 – 250 m tall waterfall, sliding down along a nearly vertical cliff. Located in a beautiful jungle setting in the most pristine area in Samoa.
Nanumanga Fire Caves
Undersea caves, approximately 37 – 46 meters under sea level. The cave has dark patches on the roof and blackened fragments of coral on its floor, suggesting that people lived here long before the coming of Polynesians – more than 8000 years ago. This find contradicts the current assumptions of the sea-level changes.
Ha’amonga ‘a Maui (Trilithon) and ‘esi Maka Fa’akinanga
Amazing megalith – a trilithon of three limestone slabs, located in the second capital of Tonga (established around the 10th century AD). Each stone weighs some 20 tons and is some 6 m high. Built at the beginning of the 13th century, possibly as a royal gateway. Nearby is a large upright stone slab – Maka Fa’akinanga – a legendary throne of the king.
Basilica of St. Peter Chanel in Poi
Unusual, impressive church building with stepped tower, built in 1986. Built to commemorate a martyr Pierre Channel, who was killed here in 1841.
