What to do in Rimatara, Austral islands? Top 4 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 sweetness of living and wild beauty of the Australs, it’s Rimatara, a true haven of tranquility in the heart of the archipelago.
Surrounded by a turquoise lagoon and paradisiacal motus, Rimatara captivates with its authenticity, absolute calm, and intimate atmosphere. Here, no mass tourism, but preserved Polynesia, where each moment is an invitation to contemplation and discovery. The island offers a perfect balance between nature, adventure, and culture: you can explore tropical forests, observe endemic birds like the Vikura, discover underground caves, or immerse yourself in local life by sharing a traditional meal with inhabitants.
What makes Rimatara unique is this sensation of a timeless island, where rhythm is dictated by tides, birdsong, and the breath of trade winds. Each sunrise over the lagoon, each encounter with inhabitants, each walk on an almost deserted beach recalls the magic of authentic Polynesia.
In this article, we take you to discover the top 4 must-do activities in Rimatara: between preserved nature, dream beaches, cultural encounters, and exceptional fauna, follow our guide to explore this secret and enchanting island.
What to do in Rimatara, Austral islands? Top 4 activities and visits
Plan approximately 2 to 3 days on site to fully enjoy Rimatara’s beauty 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 (sometimes with a stopover in Tubuai), 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 4 !
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1. Rimatara: Journey to Polynesia of Yesteryear
Visiting Rimatara is a true journey into the past. The island offers a unique immersion in authentic Polynesia, far from mass tourism. Inhabitants have preserved their traditional way of life, based on agriculture, pandanus weaving, and respect for natural cycles. Here, each daily gesture recalls ancestral practices, where working the land and artisanal craftsmanship rhythm the days.
Covered with taro fields, fruit plantations, and lush gardens, Rimatara is a true tropical garden. You’ll find grapefruits, papayas, bananas sweet as honey, noni, and even pomegranates, hand-cultivated by local families. The island’s paths cross these lush landscapes, allowing you to discover the agricultural richness and natural beauty of the island.
Discover all our tips to organize an itinerary adapted for divers in Polynesia.
Rimatara’s inhabitants gladly welcome travelers to share a traditional Polynesian meal. You can taste local specialties like fafaru (fermented fish), octopus with herbs, or po’e, a dessert made from tropical fruits. These gastronomic moments are opportunities to immerse yourself in Polynesian culture and exchange with families about their daily life.
Strolling through Rimatara also means observing villagers at work, between gardens, traditional fishing, and handicrafts. The fare (traditional houses) are often open to visitors, and you can discover the art of pandanus weaving, the making of hats, mats, or baskets — know-how transmitted from generation to generation.
The island also preserves its ancient ceremonies and rituals, often linked to agricultural cycles or local festivities. Each encounter with inhabitants, each exchange around a fruit or meal, reminds us how much Rimatara is an island where tradition and nature harmoniously combine.
👉 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. Rimatara's Underground Caves
Rimatara reserves for visitors a mysterious and fascinating world: its underground caves. These natural cavities, carved over time by volcanic erosion and sea forces, offer a unique geological spectacle in the Austral Islands. Entering these caves, you discover an almost sacred universe, where light filters through natural openings, creating plays of shadow and light that seem straight out of a Polynesian tale.
The stalactites and stalagmites adorning the walls testify to thousands of years of history, while some cavities contain hidden chambers or narrow galleries, inviting visitors to exploration and adventure. Accompanied by a local guide, you learn ancient legends associated with these places, often linked to protective spirits and ancestors’ ritual practices.
The underground caves are also a refuge for local fauna: bats, endemic insects, and sometimes nesting birds add a living dimension to the experience. Each step inside reveals new details, unique mineral formations, and the silent, almost mystical atmosphere that reigns in the island’s heart.
Exploring Rimatara’s caves means getting closer to the island’s wild and preserved nature, understanding the geological and cultural history of this pearl of the Australs, and feeling the profound energy emanating from these intact places.
👉 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. Vikura: Rimatara's Red Parakeet
Among Rimatara’s natural treasures is the Vikura, the famous endemic red parakeet of the island. This rare bird, with brilliant red and green plumage, is a true symbol of Polynesian biodiversity and the preserved ecosystem of the Austral Islands. Observing the Vikura in its natural habitat is a unique experience: its melodious song resonates in tropical forests, and its vivid colors contrast magnificently with the deep green of vegetation.
Rimatara’s inhabitants know this bird intimately and actively participate in its protection. Thanks to conservation programs and local awareness, the Vikura can continue to evolve freely in the island’s forests, a living testimony to the close bond between inhabitants and nature.
For visitors, the encounter with the Vikura transforms into an educational and emotional moment: you learn to recognize its song, feeding habits, and nesting areas. Guided walks allow you to observe these parakeets discreetly, without disturbing their habitat, and offer the opportunity to understand the importance of preserving Polynesia’s endemic fauna.
Discovering the Vikura on Rimatara is therefore much more than simple visual wonder: it’s an immersion in the island’s wild nature, learning about the Australs’ ecosystem, and a reminder of the importance of protecting local species. For ornithology enthusiasts or curious travelers, it’s a must-do that perfectly illustrates the natural richness of this Polynesian pearl.
👉 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. Whale Watching in Rimatara
Between July and October, the waters around Rimatara transform into a true sanctuary for humpback whales. These marine giants migrate each year to reproduce and give birth in the island’s warm and protected lagoons, offering visitors a unique and moving natural spectacle.
From the coast, observation pleasures are already numerous: you can hear the powerful breath of whales, see their majestic backs slice through waves, and sometimes witness spectacular leaps out of the water. For an even more immersive experience, boat excursions with local guides allow you to approach while respecting these animals, in total respect for nature and their tranquility.
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Whale watching in Rimatara is both a sensory and emotional moment: the sound of water, the grandeur of cetaceans, and the beauty of the turquoise lagoon create an unforgettable experience. Guides also share their knowledge about whale behavior, their migratory cycle, and the importance of preserving marine species in the Austral Islands.
For marine fauna enthusiasts or travelers seeking authentic encounters with nature, this experience in Rimatara perfectly illustrates the richness and fragility of preserved Polynesia. It’s a moment of profound connection with the ocean and the giants that live there, a striking memory that remains engraved in each visitor’s heart.
👉 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.
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 Raivavae during their Austral islands trip, check our full articles.
👉 You can check out our article on the Gambier island, Mangereva, why this archipelago is a must-include during your trip to Polynesia.
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👉 Here, we share our best travel experiences, insider tips, favorite spots, and authentic advice to explore French Polynesia with passion 💙 (Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, the Marquesas, Tuamotu…)
