What to do in Rurutu, Austral islands? Top 5 Must-Do Activities
At MyLittlePolynesia, we’re passionate about Polynesia and its authentic islands. And if there’s one island that fascinates with its pristine nature and timeless atmosphere, it’s Rurutu, nicknamed “the island of whales.” Here, there’s no mass tourism: to reach this pearl of the Austral Islands, you must board a local flight from Tahiti and prepare to live an intimate experience with nature and Polynesian culture.
Wild, spectacular, and deeply authentic, Rurutu offers vertiginous cliffs, isolated beaches, mysterious caves, and verdant valleys where taro fields testify to an ancestral way of life that’s still very much alive. It’s an island you have to earn, but the reward matches the effort: observing humpback whales from land, exploring limestone caves, or meeting warm locals creates unforgettable memories.
In this article, we share our complete guide to must-do activities in Rurutu. Whether you’re a hiking enthusiast, photographer, marine wildlife observer, or simply seeking authenticity, you’ll find here all the keys to fully enjoy this exceptional island.
What to do in Rurutu, Austral islands? Top 5 activities and visits
Plan approximately 3 to 4 days on site to fully enjoy Rurutu’s beauty and live an authentic Polynesian experience. To get there, the most practical means is the Air Tahiti flight from Papeete, about 1.5 hours, offering a spectacular aerial view of the limestone cliffs, lagoon, and the island’s unique volcanic landscapes.
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 Iti. 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.
Check our full article Best time to visit French Polynesia. Let’s start our top 5 !
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1. Whale Watching in Rurutu: A Moving Experience
Each year, between July and October, Rurutu becomes a sanctuary for humpback whales — and witnessing their passage here is simply magical. Imagine: you’re on a small white sand beach, the sea is calm, and suddenly, an immense silhouette emerges just meters from the shore. A mother and her calf, swimming peacefully in the crystal-clear waters. In Rurutu, you don’t need a cruise ship or distant excursion: the whales are there, very close, visible from the shore or even from the limestone cliffs overlooking the ocean.
It’s one of the rare places in the world where you can observe these marine giants from land, in such a spectacular setting. In the morning, their breath resonates like a whisper above the waves; in the afternoon, you see them play, raise their fins, or leap out of the water with powerful grace. The locals know each whale, and some local guides offer respectful outings, in small groups, to approach them in silence without disturbing them.
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!
This suspended moment, between pure emotion and fascination, marks you forever. That’s what Rurutu is: a place where nature is experienced unfiltered, where whales almost become neighbors, and where each encounter with them reminds us how much Polynesia is a sanctuary of life and beauty. If you’re looking for an authentic, vibrant, and deeply human experience, Rurutu during whale season is a waking dream.
👉 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. Exploring Rurutu's Caves: A Journey to the Heart of Polynesian Earth
In Rurutu, magic isn’t only found in the ocean; it also hides beneath the earth, in a fascinating mineral world. The island, of volcanic origin then uplifted by tectonic forces, is sculpted with limestone cliffs and spectacular caves, among the most impressive in all of French Polynesia. These natural cavities, carved by time and sea, tell thousands of years of history, between ancestral legends and breathtaking geological formations.
The most famous, Ana A’eo, nicknamed the Mitterrand Cave after the French president’s visit in the 90s, plunges visitors into an almost mystical atmosphere. Inside, giant stalactites and stalagmites intertwine in striking silence, while light filtering through natural openings creates a cathedral-like atmosphere. Further on, Ana Tane and Ana Aua Iti offer equally impressive settings, between stone columns, hidden chambers, and walls glistening with moisture.
Exploring these caves means traveling into the bowels of Rurutu, where nature and mythology meet. The ancients said these places were inhabited by protective spirits, and venturing there, you understand why: the energy is palpable, almost sacred.
Whether you’re a geology enthusiast, photographer seeking contrasts, or simply curious to live an extraordinary adventure, Rurutu’s caves are an unmissable experience. Take a headlamp, follow a local guide, and let yourself be captivated by this raw beauty, between mystery, silence, and emotion.
👉 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. Local Life in Rurutu: Authenticity, Sharing, and the Sweetness of Living
What makes Rurutu so endearing, beyond its whales and spectacular landscapes, is above all the warmth of its inhabitants. Here, life flows gently, to the rhythm of tides, harvests, and smiles exchanged on the roadside. The island is small, everyone knows each other, and each visitor is welcomed as a friend. You quickly find yourself enveloped by this peaceful and sincere atmosphere that recalls the Polynesia of yesteryear.
The three main villages — Avera, Moerai, and Auti — are true havens of tranquility. Colorful houses are surrounded by flowering gardens, children play by the sea, and fishermen return in the evening with their catches, often shared among neighbors. In the fare (traditional houses), pandanus is still hand-woven, a plant fiber used to create hats, baskets, and mats of remarkable fineness. These skills, passed down from generation to generation, are an integral part of Rurutuan identity.
The inhabitants are proud of their culture and love to share it. It’s not uncommon to be invited to a community meal, local celebration, or impromptu traditional dance performance. And if you stay in a family guesthouse, you’ll discover true Polynesian luxury: that of shared time, stories told at sunset, and meals prepared with heart.
Rurutu is a journey that reconnects you to the essential. Here, no pretense, just the simple beauty of people and nature. A human-sized island, where each encounter becomes a precious memory and each smile, an invitation to return.
👉 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. Rurutu's Taro Fields: The Island's Nourishing Heart
Around a verdant valley bend or at the bottom of a small basin surrounded by mountains, you’ll discover what makes Rurutu’s agricultural heart beat: the taro fields. These flooded plots, where taro grows, a plant both sacred and essential in Polynesian culture, are one of the strongest symbols of Rurutuan life. Here, taro isn’t just food, it’s a source of pride, a link between the land, ancestors, and future generations.
👉 Interested in getting around the islands of French Polynesia? Don’t miss our dedicated guide.
Rurutu’s taro fields are cultivated by hand, respecting nature’s rhythm. Families gather there at sunrise to maintain the fields, replant young shoots, or harvest the plump roots that will then be used to prepare the famous po’e (dessert made from taro and fruit) or accompany fresh fish. It’s physical work, but also a moment of sharing and transmission, where elders teach the young the gestures of the past.
The landscape is magnificent: green terraces, fed by mountain streams, bordered by ferns and pandanus. Reflections of the sky in the water, birdsong, and the surrounding calm create an almost spiritual atmosphere. Walking through these taro fields, you understand how much Rurutu lives in harmony with its land.
For curious travelers, some families gladly welcome visitors for an immersion in Polynesian agricultural culture, with demonstrations, tastings, and warm exchanges. Because in Rurutu, the land doesn’t just nourish the body, it also nourishes the bond between people, nature, and their roots.
👉 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. Hiking in Rurutu: Between Cliffs, Valleys, and Endless Panoramas
For lovers of nature and wide open spaces, Rurutu is a true hiking paradise. The island lends itself wonderfully to exploration on foot, with its contrasting terrain, abrupt cliffs, and verdant valleys plunging toward the sea. Each trail tells a story, each ridge offers a breathtaking view, and each step brings you closer to wild and preserved Polynesia.
One of the most popular routes leads to Mount Manureva, the island’s highest peak, which rises to over 380 meters. The ascent crosses spectacular landscapes: dense forests, taro fields, then open plateaus from which you can see the ocean as far as the eye can see. At the summit, the panorama of limestone cliffs and coastal villages is simply stunning. On clear days, you can even distinguish the contours of Tubuai on the horizon.
The most adventurous will set out on the ridge paths between Moerai and Auti, where white rock contrasts with the intense green of the slopes. Others will prefer to follow the coastline to reach hidden caves or isolated beaches, ideal for swimming after the effort. Everywhere, nature reigns supreme: seabirds, free-roaming horses, pandanus scents, and offshore winds accompany the hiker.
But the most fascinating, and perhaps most emblematic hike, remains that of La Gueule du Monstre (The Monster’s Mouth / Ava Avai). This natural site, formed by the collapse of a limestone cliff, evokes the gaping jaw of a sleeping creature. The landscape is impressive: vertical walls, deep cavities, plays of light and shadow that recall an adventure film scene. From the viewpoint, the plunging view of this spectacular geological formation leaves you speechless. You then understand why the ancients said this place sheltered the spirit of a sea monster.
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.
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, Raivavae and Rimatara during their Austral islands trip, check our full articles.
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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…)
