Currency Exchange -- Banque Socredo has an office on the waterfront in Taiohae. The ATM is inside the building, so you'll have to come here during banking hours: Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 11:30am and 1:30 to 4pm.

Drugstores -- Pharmacie Nuku Hiva, on the western side of Taiohae (tel. 91.00.90), is open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to noon and 3 to 5pm, Saturday from 9 to 11am.

Emergencies & Police -- The emergency police phone number is tel. 17. The phone number of the gendarmerie in Taiohae is tel. 92.03.61.

Healthcare -- Taiohae has a government hospital (tel. 91.02.00), and Haitiheu and Taipivai villages both have infirmaries.

Internet Access -- The island's one hotel and some of its pensions have Internet access for their guests, or you can go to the post and telecommunications office . Nuku Hiva Yacht Services (tel. 91.01.50; anneragu@hotmail.com) has access for cruising yachts.

Post Office -- The post and telecommunications office in Taiohae is uphill between the small boat marina and the cruise-ship port. It's open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 to 11:30am and noon to 3:30pm, Friday to 4:30pm.

Telephone -- There are télécarte phones at the Taiohae post and telecommunications office, at the small boat marina, at the ship dock, on the waterfront near the Kovivi restaurant, and in Hatiheu and Taipivai villages. As in the Tuamotu Archipelago, Nuku Hiva residents are more likely to write their phone numbers in two groups rather than three (for example, 920 000 instead of 92.00.00).

Visitor Information -- The Comité du Tourisme de Nuku Hiva, B.P. 32, 98742 Nuku Hiva (tel. 92.03.73; fax 92.03.25; www.marquises.pf), has a visitor information office near the Taiohae mairie (town hall). Its hours are irregular, so call ahead.

Water -- Don't drink the tap water on Nuku Hiva. The grocery stores sell bottled water.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.