The ceremonial site of Me'ae Iipona at Puamau, on the northeast coast of Hiva Oa, contains the most impressive collection of ancient stone tiki in the Marquesas. The platforms here hold five large carved figures in basalt, including the largest tiki in all of Polynesia — a massive seated figure nearly three metres high.
Reaching Puamau requires a 2-hour journey by 4WD from Atuona along a road that skirts cliff edges and fords streams. The difficulty of the approach means the site is rarely crowded, and arriving at the stone figures in their jungle clearing feels like a genuine discovery. Local guides can provide context about the figures' significance and the history of the site.