The Austral Islands offer several distinct reasons to visit: on Rurutu, seasonal whale watching and caves take centre stage; Tubuai combines dive sites with Mont Taitaa; and Raivavae adds four villages and Mont Hiro to the islands’ profiles. Tubuai is located in the South Pacific in the Austral Islands archipelago, south of Tahiti in French Polynesia.
Rurutu: Whale Watching and Caves
The Austral Islands are known for whale watching from July to November, and Rurutu is considered a particularly good place during this period. Whales can be spotted from the coastal road while touring the island. There are also two viewpoints at either end of the village of Moerai in the north of the island, overlooking the ocean, where whales can also be observed. If whale watching is your main reason for choosing when to travel, you have a clearly defined season and two types of viewing locations: the coastal road and the viewpoints in Moerai.
Rurutu has numerous caves that can be visited. A guide can take visitors to the island’s best-known and most unusual caves; ask locally about tour availability. The name of Ana Ae'o Cave translates as “offerings made to the god Taioia”. It is also called Grotte de Mitterrand because François Mitterrand visited it in 1990. In the past, it was a place of worship, massacre and cannibalism. The cave’s name, the meaning of its name and its former use offer different points of emphasis: its history provides another perspective on Rurutu alongside seasonal wildlife viewing.
Tubuai: Dive Sites and Mont Taitaa
There are about 15 recorded dive sites on Tubuai; six of them are accessible to divers of all experience levels. Mont Taitaa is 422 metres high, and part of the ascent can be made by off-road vehicle. When planning dives, it is worth keeping the two figures distinct: about 15 sites are recorded, six of which are accessible to divers of all experience levels. As information about dive sites may change as listings are updated, check the latest details before planning your trip. You should also check local access and trail conditions before visiting the mountain.
Raivavae: Villages and Mont Hiro
The 24-kilometre-long island of Raivavae is home to four villages. Mont Hiro is 438 metres high; the steep ascent takes about an hour and begins on a trail through wild natural scenery. The summit offers panoramic views of a lagoon. Trail conditions may vary, so check them before setting out.
The two mountains differ in the ascent details described: on Tubuai’s Mont Taitaa, part of the ascent can be made by off-road vehicle; on Raivavae’s Mont Hiro, the ascent is described as steep and taking about an hour. This allows you to base your choice on the specific details: a stated ascent time or a route that can be covered partly by off-road vehicle.
Discover more destinations: Tubuai Islands, Vaiuru, Rairua, Amaru, The Tuamotu And Gambier Islands, Leeward Islands, Windward Islands, ĂŽles Sous-Le-Vent.
Return to the main travel overview: French Polynesia.
