Austral Islands Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Map of Austral Islands

The Tubuai Islands are the northwesternmost part of the Austral Islands, and they consist of:

• -21.8-154.681 Iles Maria — an uninhabited atoll.
• -23.87-147.672 Raivavae — (900 pop.), considered one of the most beautiful islands in the world.
• -22.64-152.843 Rimatara — (750 p), the smallest by land area.
• -22.48-151.334 Rurutu — (2,000 p), the second largest of the Austral Islands, with some interesting maraes.
• -23.38-149.455 Tubuai — (2,000 p), the main island of the Australs, with the main airport.

The Bass Islands are southeast of the Tubuai Islands, and they consist of:

• -27.58-144.336 Rapa Iti — population 500.
• -27.92-143.437 Marotiri island — four small, volcanic, uninhabited islands.

The Austral Islands are the southernmost group in French Polynesia.

Air Tahiti provides non-stop and one-stop service from Papeete to Rurutu four days a week, Tubuai five days a week, and Raivavae three days a week. Non-stop flight time is 01:30 to Rurutu, 01:40 to Tubuai, and 01:50 to Raivavae. Air Tahiti also provides connecting services from Rurutu to Tubuai two days a week and further service from each island to Raivavae one day a week.

For the rich, it is possible to travel to these islands by ship. The container/passenger ship Tuhaa Pae IV makes 2-3 trips per month from Papeete to Raivavae, Rimatara, Rurutu and Tubuai. Contact Patrice Colombani at [email protected] or by phone on (689) 40413606. Prices range from US$1,900-2,400 per person (depending on type of cabin) with discounts for children.