What to do in Raivavae, Austral islands? Top 6 Must-Do Activities
At MyLittlePolynesia, we love introducing you to the most preserved islands of French Polynesia, those where time seems to have stopped. And if there’s one island that perfectly embodies the wild beauty and sweetness of living of the Australs, it’s Raivavae, often nicknamed the “Bora Bora of the South”.
Surrounded by a turquoise lagoon with infinite reflections, dotted with paradisiacal motus, Raivavae captivates with its authenticity and absolute calm. Here, no mass tourism, but Polynesia of yesteryear, preserved and deeply human. The island offers a perfect balance between adventure and contemplation: you hike on the verdant hills of Mount Hiro, explore isolated motus by outrigger canoe, pedal to the rhythm of the trade winds along the coast, and immerse yourself in Polynesian culture by visiting Marae Atoni, the island’s emblematic sacred site.
What makes Raivavae unique is this impression of the end of the world mixed with rare serenity. Each moment seems suspended: a sunrise over the lagoon, a child’s smile, a walk on a deserted beach. It’s an island that invites you to slow down, listen to nature, and reconnect with the essential.
In this article, we take you to discover the top 6 must-do activities in Raivavae: between hikes, nautical excursions, dream beaches, and cultural encounters, follow our guide to explore this secret and enchanting island.
What to do in Raivavae, Austral islands? Top 6 activities and visits
Plan approximately 4 days on site to fully enjoy Raivavae’s magic and live an authentic Polynesian experience. To get there, the most practical means is the Air Tahiti flight from Papeete, about 1 hour 45 minutes, offering from the sky a spectacular view of the turquoise lagoon and paradisiacal motus.
For travelers seeking authenticity, it’s also possible to board the Tuhaa Pae IV or Aranui 5, the cargo-ferries that regularly serve the Austral Islands: Rurutu, Tubuai, Raivavae, Rimatara, and Rapa. This longer journey allows you to immerse yourself in local life, discover the ports of the Australs, and adopt the peaceful rhythm of preserved Polynesia.
For a concrete example of a loop combining mountains and atolls over 3 weeks, check out our article 3-Week Itinerary: Tuamotu and Society Islands with all the stages and durations per island. Let’s start our top 6 !
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1. Bike Rides: Exploring Raivavae Gently
Discovering Raivavae by bike means offering yourself a total immersion in the tranquil soul of the Austral Islands. The island, encircled by a coastal road of barely 30 kilometers, lends itself wonderfully to bike rides, an ideal way to appreciate every nuance without rushing.
The route winds between turquoise lagoon and verdant mountains, offering at each turn a breathtaking panorama. Along the roadside, hibiscus flowers burst with color, coconut palms sway to the rhythm of the trade winds, and time seems suspended.
While pedaling, you cross small Polynesian villages where inhabitants greet with a sincere smile, a wave, sometimes an invitation to stop and chat. Children laugh, chickens cross the road nonchalantly, and sometimes a pig lounges in the sun. This simple and authentic life is all of Raivavae’s charm.
Biking allows you to absorb this soothing rhythm, listen to the wind’s song, feel the salty air from the lagoon and the scent of frangipani. Some venture to the motus, these small paradisiacal islets where the sea becomes translucent; others prefer to climb the hills to admire the panoramic view of the coral barrier and infinite lagoon.
👉 If you’re looking for information on group travel in Polynesia, check out our complete article: Group Travel at the Best Price in Tahiti.
📖 Read the article ➜ Traveling in French Polynesia: 10 day Itinerary & Tips
2. Strolling Along Magnificent Beaches: The Sweetness of Living in Raivavae
In Raivavae, time seems to slow to the rhythm of waves. Often nicknamed the “Bora Bora of the Australs”, the island reveals beaches of unreal beauty, where white sand blends with the lagoon’s transparency.
Walking along the shore is a soothing experience, almost meditative, that invites contemplation. The beaches of Vaiuru, Mahanatoa, or those bordering the lagoon’s motus offer landscapes of rare purity. The sea displays an infinity of shades of blue, turquoise, emerald, azure, under an immaculate sky.
Coconut palms lean gracefully toward the water, drawing benevolent shade where it’s good to shelter for a moment. Walkers encounter almost no one: only the whisper of waves and, sometimes, the flight of a solitary heron.
This peaceful solitude is Raivavae’s supreme luxury. You walk barefoot, observe a crab dash to its hole, a colorful fish play between two corals. In places, the lagoon opens onto small passes, where sun reflections dance on the water.
At low tide, certain beaches extend far into the lagoon, forming sandbars where you have the sensation of walking on water. The light wind, scents of wild flowers, gentle warmth on the skin: everything contributes to an absolute feeling of well-being.
👉 If you’re interested in information about the most beautiful Polynesian islands to visit, you can check out our article on our top 7 islands to visit.
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3. Discovering Marae Atoni: The Spiritual Heart of Raivavae
Beyond its paradisiacal landscapes, Raivavae shelters an unknown cultural treasure: Marae Atoni, the island’s most important archaeological site. Nestled in a verdant setting, between mountains and lagoon, this sacred place testifies to ancestral Polynesian spirituality and the profound bond uniting inhabitants to their ancestors and the land.
Marae Atoni impresses with its finely assembled stone platforms and its alignments of coral blocks that delimit the ancient ceremonial space. In the past, the island’s priests and chiefs paid homage to the gods there and organized ritual ceremonies. The atmosphere emanating from it today is still filled with calm and respect, as if time had stopped.
A visit to the marae is a true dive into Polynesian history. Listening to inhabitants’ stories, you discover legends associated with these millenary stones — stories of warrior chiefs, protective divinities, and transmission of knowledge.
Surrounded by tropical vegetation and sometimes overlooking the sea, Marae Atoni also offers a magnificent viewpoint of the lagoon. It’s a place both historical and spiritual, that allows you to better understand Raivavae’s profound soul and the richness of Polynesian culture.
👉 You can check out our article on 10 days in the Marquesas during your trip to Polynesia, why this archipelago is a must-include during your trip to Polynesia.
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4. Nautical Excursions in Raivavae: Discovering the Lagoon with a Thousand Shades of Blue
Impossible to visit Raivavae without exploring its lagoon, considered one of the most beautiful in all of French Polynesia. A true natural jewel, it shelters a mosaic of motus (white sand islets), shallow crystal-clear waters, and a coral barrier that protects exceptional marine biodiversity.
Nautical excursions in Raivavae are an essential experience to discover this fragile and preserved beauty. In traditional outrigger canoe or motorboat, local guides take you gliding on turquoise waters, encountering breathtaking landscapes.
Planning a shared catamaran cruise in Polynesia? Find out how much it costs, when to go, how far in advance to book, and whether you need sailing experience. All your questions answered!
On the program for nautical excursions in Raivavae: swimming in the lagoon’s most translucent zones, visiting paradisiacal motus like the famous Motu Vaiamanu, nicknamed the “swimming pool motu” for its water’s unreal clarity, and savoring lunches on the sand, prepared in Polynesian style with fresh fish and coconut milk. Sometimes, the outing also reserves surprising encounters with rays or multicolored fish evolving in coral zones, for a complete experience between nature, relaxation, and marine wonders.
For the most adventurous, it’s also possible to combine the nautical outing with a free diving session or traditional fishing, always supervised by island inhabitants. These experiences, simple and true, offer privileged contact with Polynesian maritime culture and an unforgettable memory of this timeless island.
👉 If you’re looking for information on cruising with the Aranui in Polynesia, check out our complete article: Everything you need to know about the Aranui, authentic Polynesian cruise on a mixed cargo ship.
5. Mount Hiro Hike: The Roof of Raivavae
For nature lovers and spectacular panoramas, the Mount Hiro hike is undoubtedly one of the most striking experiences in Raivavae. The island’s highest point, Mount Hiro rises to approximately 438 meters altitude, offering an unobstructed view of the lagoon, motus, and coral barrier surrounding the island.
The trail generally begins near the village of Rairua or Vaiuru, and winds through lush vegetation, between tropical forests, giant ferns, and volcanic rocks. The ascent requires some effort, especially on the last part, but each step is rewarded by a grandiose spectacle: that of a lagoon with a thousand shades of blue, extending as far as the eye can see, contrasting with the intense green of the mountains.
👉 Interested in getting around the islands of French Polynesia? Don’t miss our dedicated guide.
Arriving at the summit, offshore wind caresses your face and silence imposes itself, only disturbed by a seabird’s cry or the rustling of leaves. You then contemplate all of Raivavae’s geography: its circular lagoon, sparkling motus, peaceful villages, and abrupt cliffs plunging into the sea. It’s a moment of total connection with nature, almost spiritual.
The Mount Hiro hike is generally done in 2 to 3 hours round trip, depending on pace. It’s advisable to leave early in the morning, when light is soft and temperature pleasant. Don’t forget to bring water, a hat, and good hiking shoes — and of course, your camera, because the panoramic viewpoints are simply unforgettable.
If you’re wondering what to bring for your trip to Polynesia, check out our complete packing guide for Tahiti and Bora Bora with all the essentials you’ll need.
6. Raivavae's Tifaifai: A Polynesian Art to Discover
Tifaifai is one of the most beautiful and colorful expressions of Polynesian culture, and in Raivavae, this textile art reaches an exceptional level of finesse. These short pieces of hand-sewn fabric tell stories, legends, and symbols linked to the island: tropical flowers, geometric patterns inspired by nature, or representations of motus and the lagoon.
Raivavae’s tifaifai are distinguished by their bright colors and meticulous technique, transmitted from generation to generation. Local artisans, often women, spend hours assembling fabric pieces with patience and creativity, transforming each piece into a truly unique masterpiece. Offering or acquiring a tifaifai is much more than a souvenir: it’s a link with the island’s history and identity, a living testimony to Polynesian craftsmanship.
When visiting Raivavae, don’t miss meeting these artisans in their workshops, observing the manufacturing process and, why not, leaving with a tifaifai as a symbol of your immersion in the authentic culture of the Austral Islands.
Discover all our tips to organize an itinerary adapted for divers in Polynesia.
Check out all our articles on must-do activities and island-by-island recommendations to help you plan the perfect trip to French Polynesia. People also visit Tubuai, Rurutu and Rimatara during their Austral islands trip, check our full articles.
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