Things to Do in Rurutu —
Top 6 Activities &
Complete Guide 2026

The most intimate whale swimming experience in French Polynesia

This is THE reason to come to Rurutu. Every year from July to November, humpback whales come to swim in the deep waters around the island — in the open ocean, not in a lagoon. That detail changes everything: the whales here swim freely, without a coral barrier, in their natural environment.

Rurutu is considered the best spot in French Polynesia for swimming with whales. The difference from Moorea or Tahiti? There are very few visitors on the water, the atmosphere is super calm, and the whales are plentiful — you're not crowded around one animal with ten other boats. Much more space, much more tranquillity, and the possibility of getting much closer to the animals. A rare intensity.

In peak season (August–October), it's common to spot whales jumping directly from the shore — or even from the guesthouse terrace. We experienced it at Pension Géraldine: whales leaping just a few hundred metres away, without even being on a boat. Incredible.

The Sentier Perdu — 5 caves, with Reiti in flip-flops

Skip the Mitterrand Cave (Ana A'eo) as a self-guided visit — the unmissable experience in Rurutu is the Sentier Perdu with local guide Reiti. A 3-hour walk through 5 spectacular caves, including the famous Ana Taupe'e — the Gueule du Monstre (3rd cave on the route). Reiti knows every corner of these cavities like no one else — he glides through in flip-flops where you're reaching for handholds.

The route starts with a large first cave with a few hidden treasures, then builds through increasingly impressive passages. There are 2-3 technical sections — Reiti shows you exactly where to put your feet. The activity has been completed by a 9-year-old child: it's not an expert hike, but you need to be comfortable physically and not afraid of heights.

The Gueule du Monstre (Ana Taupe'e) is the 3rd cave on the route — and probably the most spectacular. An immense cavity open onto the Pacific Ocean, its name evoking the gaping jaw of a sleeping creature. Vertiginous white limestone walls, striking plays of light and shadow — and the ocean stretching to the horizon behind. The highlight of the Sentier Perdu.

The views from the different caves are breathtaking — white cliffs, dense vegetation, ocean as a backdrop. An absolute must-do in Rurutu. Prices are very affordable — your guesthouse can arrange the outing with Reiti from the moment you arrive.

360° panorama over the Austral Islands

Mont Manureva (389m) is the highest point on Rurutu and offers a 360° panorama over the limestone cliffs, coastal villages and the ocean as far as the eye can see. On a clear day, you can make out Tubuai on the horizon. The ascent passes through spectacular landscapes: dense forest, taro fields, then open plateaus.

The classic route runs through the three ridges down to Vaimatu Village — allow around 3 hours. A guide is recommended for the ridges, especially in wet conditions. Guide fee: 6,000 XPF per person.

More adventurous hikers can take the ridge paths between Moerai and Auti — the white rock contrasts with the intense green of the slopes, and free-roaming horses sometimes keep you company along the way.

The best way to discover all of Rurutu

The 32 km island circuit is one of the best ways to take in Rurutu as a whole. Options include e-bike (ideal, handles the steeper climbs), scooter, rental car or a guided 4x4 excursion.

The guided 4x4 tour (approximately 3h30, ~4,500 XPF per person depending on the operator) covers the three main villages of Moerai, Avera and Hauti, the Lovers' Beach, taro fields, coastal landscapes and local craft workshops. An excellent way to understand the island and its people in a limited time.

For independent exploration, the e-bike is our favourite option: stop where you want, take as long as you need — and the steeper climbs become easy with electric assistance. Most guesthouses have bikes available.

The ancestral crop of the Austral Islands

Tucked into a green valley or at the bottom of a small mountain basin, you'll discover what drives the agricultural heart of Rurutu: the taro fields. These flooded plots, where taro grows — a plant that is both sacred and essential in Polynesian culture — are cultivated by hand, in harmony with nature's rhythms.

Families gather at sunrise to tend the fields, replant young shoots or harvest the roots used to prepare po'e (a Polynesian dessert made with taro and fruit). The traditional irrigation systems, fed by mountain streams, testify to an ancestral know-how still very much alive. Some families welcome visitors for an immersion in local agricultural culture.

Pandanus weaving & Taiatea's horses

The people of Rurutu are renowned throughout the Austral archipelago for their pandanus weaving skills. Hats, baskets, mats, decorative objects — each piece is crafted by hand using techniques passed down through generations. Weaving workshops are offered at some guesthouses and local ateliers — a hands-on way to immerse yourself in Rurutu culture.

To discover the island's interior in a different way, a horse ride with Taiatea is a highly popular activity. An authentic experience through off-the-beaten-track landscapes — alongside the same horses you sometimes spot roaming free on the ridges during hikes.