Austral Islands

The Austral Islands of French Polynesia consist of the Tubuai Islands and the Bass Islands.

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.