Free Austral Islands Travel Guide & Mobile App

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Austral Islands
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Explore the Austral Islands of French Polynesia for whale watching, Polynesian heritage, remote lagoons, birdlife and rugged southern landscapes.

The Austral Islands form the southernmost settled archipelago of French Polynesia, scattered across the South Pacific far south of Tahiti. Their cooler climate, high volcanic interiors and comparatively small visitor numbers give the islands a character distinct from the better-known Society Islands. The inhabited islands include Tubuai, Rurutu, Rimatara, Raivavae and Rapa, while the Maria Islands and the Marotiri islets lie farther offshore. Distances between them are considerable, and each island has its own landscape, history and rhythm of life.
Read more about Austral Islands
Tubuai is the administrative and economic centre of the archipelago. Its broad interior plain supports gardens and farming, while a reef-protected lagoon extends around much of the island. Tubuai is also associated with the Bounty mutineers, who spent several months there in 1789 and built a short-lived settlement known as Fort George. Rurutu, farther west, is a raised limestone island with dramatic cliffs, caves and traditional villages; from winter into spring, humpback whales pass through its waters, making responsible whale-watching one of the region's best-known experiences.
Rimatara is smaller and low-lying, with a strong sense of community and a remarkable birdlife heritage. It is home to the endangered Rimatara lorikeet, known locally as the 'ura, whose survival reflects long-running conservation efforts. Raivavae is renowned for its mountain-backed scenery, reef and islets, and archaeological remains, including marae that testify to a complex pre-European society. Rapa, the most isolated and southerly inhabited island, is reached only with considerable planning and has a cooler, more rugged environment shaped by steep valleys, strong seas and a small resident population.
The islands' Polynesian heritage remains visible in language, dance, handicrafts, marae, communal celebrations and the cultivation of local foods. Churches, village meeting places and family gardens often form the social focus of settlements. Cuisine centres on fish, taro, sweet potatoes, coconut and tropical fruit, with supplies varying according to transport and season. Visitors should expect simple accommodation, limited retail facilities and a slower pace rather than resort infrastructure.
Walking, lagoon excursions, birdwatching, cultural visits and whale observation are the principal activities. Weather can change quickly, and services are not interchangeable between islands, so an itinerary requires careful coordination. The Austral Islands reward travellers who value remoteness, cultural substance and close attention to landscape: this is French Polynesia on a smaller, quieter and more weather-exposed scale.

When is the best time to visit Austral Islands?

Best: July–September · 24–25°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January28200
February29190
March28180
April27170
May26160
June25150
July (best)24140
August (best)25130
September (best)25140
October27150
November28170
December28190

Getting to and around Austral Islands

How to get there

Most visitors reach the Austral Islands through Faa'a International Airport near Papeete on Tahiti, which is outside the region and serves as its principal international gateway. Scheduled domestic flights connect Tahiti with several inhabited Austral Islands, including Tubuai, Rurutu, Rimatara and Raivavae, although routes and operating days can change. Rapa has no airport and is reached by infrequent supply or passenger vessels requiring much more planning. Inter-island air connections should never be assumed, and some journeys may require returning through Tahiti.

Transportation

Travel within the inhabited islands is generally by walking, bicycle, locally arranged vehicle, taxi or excursion boat, depending on the island and accommodation. Tubuai has the broadest road network and is more practical for exploring by hired vehicle, while the smaller islands can often be experienced from a village base with local arrangements. Public transport is limited compared with Tahiti, and there are no extensive urban bus systems. Roads may be narrow, uneven or affected by rain; allow extra time and obtain local advice before travelling into the interior or along exposed coastal routes.

Best attractions in Austral Islands

The Austral Islands offer low-key, nature-based attractions shaped by isolation and local stewardship. Rurutu is known for its raised limestone topography, sea caves, coastal cliffs and seasonal humpback-whale encounters, while Tubuai combines a fertile interior, lagoon excursions and the historical remains associated with the Bounty mutineers. Raivavae appeals to visitors interested in reef scenery, small offshore islets, mountain walks and pre-European archaeological sites, including marae and other stone remains. Rimatara's principal attraction is its living environment and the chance to learn about the conservation of the endemic Rimatara lorikeet, rather than a large collection of built visitor facilities. Rapa is reserved for well-prepared travellers who can manage difficult logistics and rugged terrain. Across the archipelago, activities include village walks, locally guided cultural visits, fishing, snorkelling where conditions permit, birdwatching and short hikes. Excursions are strongly weather-dependent, and the quality of an experience often lies in local knowledge rather than formal infrastructure. There are no large resort complexes or dense attraction circuits; the islands reward patience, preparation and respectful engagement with their landscapes and communities.

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Best landmarks in Austral Islands

The Austral Islands' most significant landmarks are closely tied to landscape, archaeology and community history. Tubuai's Fort George site recalls the brief settlement established by HMS Bounty mutineers in 1789 and provides a tangible link to a famous episode of Pacific maritime history, even though little survives as a monumental structure. On Raivavae, marae and other stone archaeological remains reflect the island's pre-Christian political and ceremonial systems; their importance lies in their cultural context as much as in their appearance. Rurutu's limestone caves and elevated coastal formations are natural landmarks created by the island's unusual geological history, while its steep shoreline gives villages a distinctive setting above the sea. Rimatara's identity is symbolised by the habitat of the endemic 'ura, a small but important landmark of conservation rather than architecture. Rapa's dramatic mountains, deeply cut valleys and offshore Marotiri islets form one of the archipelago's most remote geographic scenes. Churches and village meeting places across the islands also mark the nineteenth-century transition to Christian community life.

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Explore Austral Islands on the map

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Best restaurants in Austral Islands

Dining in the Austral Islands is generally intimate and locally organised, with meals provided by guesthouses, small family establishments and occasional village food sellers rather than a large restaurant industry. Fish, tuna and other seafood feature prominently, alongside taro, sweet potato, breadfruit, coconut, bananas and seasonal fruit. On Tubuai, local agriculture and livestock contribute to a wider range of provisions, while on smaller islands menus depend more visibly on recent supplies and household gardens. Traditional Polynesian preparations may include raw or marinated fish, grilled seafood and dishes cooked in an earth oven, though recipes and availability vary between families and islands. French influence appears in bread, preserves and everyday café-style food, but visitors should not expect metropolitan dining. Advance arrangements are sensible if meals are included with accommodation, especially outside Tubuai. Carrying snacks is practical for excursions, and guests should avoid wasting food or demanding ingredients that are difficult to obtain in a remote supply chain.

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Best bars in Austral Islands

The Austral Islands do not have a major nightclub scene. Evening life usually centres on guesthouse meals, family gatherings, village celebrations, church-related music and occasional community dance or cultural performances. Tubuai has the broadest selection of informal places to eat or have a drink, while Rurutu, Rimatara and Raivavae are quieter and more dependent on accommodation hosts and local arrangements. Traditional Polynesian hospitality is more relevant than a formal bar circuit, and entertainment may be arranged around a particular event rather than offered nightly. Visitors should not assume late opening hours, extensive alcohol choices or reliable transport after dark. Ask permission before attending community occasions and follow local expectations about dress, noise and photography. On Rapa, the limited population and difficult access mean that evening activity is primarily community-based rather than visitor-oriented.

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Best shops in Austral Islands

Shopping in the Austral Islands is modest and practical, with small local shops supplying everyday necessities rather than extensive retail streets. Tubuai offers the widest choice of provisions, while Rurutu, Rimatara and Raivavae have fewer outlets and more limited opening arrangements. Visitors may find locally made hats, woven goods, shell ornaments, carvings, pareu cloth and other handicrafts through guesthouses, community groups or occasional cultural markets, although the selection varies and should not be treated as a permanent retail inventory. Regional food products such as coconut preparations, preserves, fruit and locally grown produce may be available when supplies and harvests allow. Purchases directly from makers provide a more meaningful connection to island craft traditions than mass-produced souvenirs. Ask whether materials are legal to export, avoid coral, shells and protected wildlife products, and remember that transport limitations can affect what is available. On remote Rapa, shopping opportunities are extremely limited, so visitors should arrive with essential personal supplies already arranged.

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Austral Islands essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the CFP franc, written as XPF or commonly F CFP, used throughout French Polynesia. Cards may be accepted by some hotels, guesthouses and established businesses, but smaller accommodation providers, guides, food sellers and transport services may require cash. Cash machines and banking facilities are limited outside the main centres and may not be available on every island, so carry a sensible reserve of CFP francs while keeping money secure. French is widely used in administration, while local Polynesian languages remain important in community life.
Safety
The main hazards are environmental and logistical rather than urban. Take care on reefs, beaches and boat trips, follow local guidance about currents and weather, and do not enter caves or steep terrain without suitable footwear and a guide where appropriate. Sun, heat, dehydration and insects can cause problems even in the relatively cooler Austral climate. Whale-watching and lagoon excursions should be conducted with experienced local operators. Driving requires caution on narrow roads, and visitors should not expect immediate medical or mechanical assistance in remote areas.
Emergency Situations
French Polynesia follows France's emergency arrangements: call 112 from a mobile phone for a general emergency, 15 for medical assistance, 17 for police and 18 for fire services. On some islands, reception may be intermittent and response times longer than in Tahiti, so ask accommodation hosts about local procedures and retain the contact details of a boat or excursion operator. Sea emergencies should be reported through the relevant local maritime or rescue arrangements. Travel insurance covering remote-island evacuation is prudent, particularly for journeys to Rapa.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress modestly in villages, churches and community settings, and remove hats or footwear when local customs or hosts indicate that this is appropriate. Ask before photographing people, ceremonies, dances, private land or marae. Do not touch archaeological features, shells, coral or wildlife, and never feed wild birds or marine animals. Observe French Polynesian national conventions on queueing, tipping and public behaviour without assuming that every island has identical customs. Keep noise low near homes, avoid wasting water and follow local instructions about waste and reef protection.
Local Tips
Accommodation is often family-run, so confirm whether meals, airport transfers, bicycles and excursions are included before arrival. Markets and shops have a narrower range than those in Tahiti, and fresh supplies can depend on flights or ships; visitors should be flexible about menus. Rurutu is the principal base for organised humpback-whale observation, while Raivavae and Tubuai are particularly suited to lagoon and cultural exploration. On Rimatara, learning about the endangered 'ura is more meaningful when arranged through local conservation or community contacts rather than pursued independently.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloIa ora na[ee-ah oh-rah nah]
GoodbyeNana[nah-nah]
YesE[eh]
NoAita[ah-ee-tah]
Please/You're welcomeTēnā[teh-nah]
Thank youMauruuru[mah-oo-roo-roo]
Excuse me/SorryE mea tika[eh meh-ah tee-kah]
How are you?E pehea oe?[eh peh-heh-ah oh-eh]
Fine. And you?Maikaʻi. E oe?[mah-ee-kah-ee. eh oh-eh]
Do you speak English?E parau ana oe i te reo Pāleo?[eh pah-rau ah-nah oh-eh ee teh reh-oh pah-leh-oh]
I don't understandAita au e maori[ah-ee-tah ow eh mah-oh-ree]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseE hiahia ana au e kite i te menu, tēnā[eh hee-hah-ee ah-nah ow eh kee-teh ee teh meh-noo, teh-nah]
I don't eat meatAita au e kai i te maa[ah-ee-tah ow eh kah-ee ee teh mah-ah]
Cheers!Aroha mai![ah-roh-hah my]
I would like to pay, pleaseE hiahia ana au e utu, tēnā[eh hee-hah-ee ah-nah ow eh oo-too, teh-nah]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Auru![ah-oo-roo]
Go away!E haere atu![eh hah-reh ah-too]
Call the Police!Tēnā karanga i te pūerto![teh-nah kah-rah-ngah ee teh poo-er-toh]
Call a doctor!Tēnā karanga i te tāgata![teh-nah kah-rah-ngah ee teh tah-gah-tah]
I'm lostUa ngaro au[oo-ah nah-roh ow]
I'm illE ma'i ana au[eh mah-ee ah-nah ow]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...E hiahia ana au e hoko...[eh hee-hah-ee ah-nah ow eh hoh-koh]
I'm just lookingE na reira au[eh nah ray-rah ow]
How much is it?Ehia te utu?[eh-hee-ah teh oo-too]
That's too expensiveO te utu rahi[oh teh oo-too rah-hee]
Can you lower the price?E na reira e taea e koe te tapahi i te utu?[eh nah ray-rah eh tah-eh eh koh-eh teh tah-pah-hee ee teh oo-too]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Ehia te hora?[eh-hee-ah teh ho-rah]
It's one o'clockE te tahi o te hora[eh teh tah-hee oh teh ho-rah]
Half past (10)I te haurua o te 10[ee teh how-roo-ah oh teh ten]
MorningAhi ahi[ah-hee ah-hee]
AfternoonPō[poh]
EveningMāramarama[mah-rah-mah-rah-mah]
YesterdayI nānā[ee nah-nah]
TodayI teie nei[ee tay-eh nay]
TomorrowI nā[ee nah]
1Tahi[tah-hee]
2Rua[roo-ah]
3Torutoru[toh-roo-toh-roo]
4Fa[fah]
5Rima[ree-mah]
6Ono[oh-noh]
7Hitu[hee-too]
8Valu[vah-loo]
9Iva[ee-vah]
10Tahi[tah-hee]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?E hea te...?[eh heh-ah teh...?]
What's the address?Eaha te adrese?[eh-ah-hah teh ah-dreh-seh]
Can you show me (on the map)?E na reira e taea e koe e whakaatu mai (i te mappa)?[eh nah ray-rah eh tah-eh eh koh-eh eh whah-kah-ah-too my (ee teh mah-pah)?]
When's the next (bus)?E te aha te pahi e haere mai?[eh teh ah-hah teh pah-hee eh hah-reh my?]
A ticket (to ....)He tiikiti (ki ....)[he tee-kee-tee (kee ....)]

History of Austral Islands

Early Polynesian Settlement

The Austral Islands were settled by Polynesian voyagers who developed societies adapted to small, isolated volcanic islands. Communities cultivated taro and other crops, fished the surrounding waters and organised life through extended kinship networks and chiefly authority. Archaeological remains, including marae and fortified or defended highland sites, show that the islands supported complex ceremonial and political traditions before European contact. The distance from the central Society Islands encouraged distinctive local customs, languages and artistic practices, several of which remain important to contemporary cultural identity.

European Contact and the Bounty at Tubuai

European navigators reached the Austral Islands during the period of Pacific exploration, bringing new trading relationships, diseases and religious influences. Tubuai entered wider historical awareness in 1789 when the mutineers of HMS Bounty attempted to establish a settlement there. They built Fort George on the island but conflict with local communities and internal disagreements led them to abandon the settlement after several months. The episode became part of the island's historical memory and linked Tubuai to one of the most widely discussed maritime stories of the Pacific.

Missionary Change in the Nineteenth Century

Christian missionaries arrived during the nineteenth century, first through Protestant networks and later through Catholic missions in some parts of the archipelago. Conversion altered political authority, ritual life, education and patterns of settlement, while churches became prominent village buildings. The process was not simply cultural replacement: local communities adapted Christian institutions to existing social structures and preserved Polynesian knowledge, language and customary practices. The churches and village layouts visible today often reflect this period of major social transformation.

Chiefdoms, Rivalries and French Annexation

Before incorporation into the French colonial system, the islands were governed by local chiefs and, in some cases, competing island or district authorities. Political change unfolded at different times across the archipelago rather than through one single event. French control was established during the nineteenth century and formalised across the Austral Islands by the turn of the twentieth century, including the annexation of Rimatara in 1900. The islands subsequently became part of the French establishments in Oceania and, today, French Polynesia.

Agriculture, Copra and Island Trade

For much of the colonial and post-colonial period, economic life depended on agriculture, coastal shipping and the export of copra, the dried flesh of the coconut. Taro, fruit, coffee in suitable areas and other garden crops supported household economies, while livestock farming became particularly important on islands such as Tubuai. Regular supply vessels and later air services connected the Austral Islands with Tahiti, but their distance and seasonal weather continued to shape prices, availability and employment.

Contemporary Cultural and Environmental Stewardship

Modern Austral Island communities balance public services, farming, fishing and tourism with the pressures of geographic isolation. Cultural associations maintain dance, music, craft and language traditions, while conservation programmes protect endemic species such as Rimatara's lorikeet and support responsible encounters with migrating humpback whales around Rurutu. Tourism remains comparatively small-scale, with locally run accommodation and guiding more characteristic than large resorts. This gives visitors access to living communities, but also makes respectful behaviour and sensitivity to limited resources especially important.

Austral Islands in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Austral Islands, French Polynesia

Discover the Austral Islands with Evendo, your 100% free app-based travel guide, covering attractions, restaurants, hotels, and more to make your trip unforgettable.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities.
  • Rich set of images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details.
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences.
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More about the Evendo app

Explore the beauty of Austral Islands with Evendo, your all-in-one travel guide app. From famous landmarks to hidden gems, plan and book your entire trip effortlessly.

  • Comprehensive history of the Austral Islands.
  • Travel essentials and local advice to maximize your visit.
  • User-friendly navigation and 'Near Me' feature for easy discovery.
  • Curated local tips to experience destinations like a local.
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases or additional costs.

Imagine yourself adventuring through the rugged landscapes and crystal-clear waters of the Austral Islands. With Evendo, your journey starts even before you set foot on these stunning islands. This 100% free app-based travel guide provides detailed information on all the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities in the Austral Islands.

Visit the awe-inspiring Mount Hiro, explore the historic Marae Raitoro, and relax on the pristine beaches of Tubuai. Savor local delicacies at renowned restaurants like Chez Marie and experience the vibrant nightlife at popular bars such as Le Sunset. With Evendo, you can easily book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences, eliminating the need for extensive research and making your trip planning seamless.

The app not only offers rich descriptions and images but also includes local tips, maps, and contact details, ensuring you have all the information you need at your fingertips. Features like the 'Near Me' function allow you to discover nearby attractions effortlessly, while curated local advice helps you experience the Austral Islands like a true local.

Evendo also covers 7,000+ other destinations worldwide, making it an indispensable tool for any traveler. Download Evendo today and have the world in your pocket, starting with the enchanting Austral Islands.

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