Destination archipel

Book a flight

From :

Austral Archipelago

Looking for a flight to an island in the Austral archipelago? Air Tahiti offers regular direct flights or flights including stopovers, to the Austral islands.

Book your flight to the Australes and set off to discover this archipelago, which will plunge you into the heart of a fascinating nature and culture. T...

Raivavae

730 km southeast of Tahiti, Raivavae was discovered in 1775 by the Spanish navigator Thomas Gayangos, and in the early 19th century supplied sandalwood to European traders. Often considered one of the most beautiful islands in the Pacific, with its 28 jagged islets that are the nesting place of numerous sea birds, Raivavae, almost unreal, appears to float in its emerald lagoon.

Great tikis covered the island when it was discovered. Only one remains, near Rairua; the others decorate the gardens of the Gauguin Museum in Tahiti. The islanders also made drums decorated with remarkable sculptures, which are today museum pieces. Meanwhile, their canoes are magnificent craft made of stitched wood, which are still used today. These remnants of the Polynesian art of boatbuilding form part of the island's heritage.

Today, religion has a very important place and village life is marked by the church services, which are attended by nearly everyone each Sunday and to which the women wear all their finery and prettiest hats.

The airport - long resisted by the local people, who wanted to preserve their isolation - opened in late 2002. Life is simple on this timeless island, whose few visitors, greeted by a happy "Ia oga na" (equivalent to "Ia ora na" in the Raivavae language), will forget the stresses of the busy world.

Rimatara

With a surface area of 9 km² and a circumference of 8.5 km, Rimatara is the smallest of the Austral Islands, 665 km southeast of Tahiti. The opening of the airport in 2006 and the construction of the first structures for receiving visitors in 2008 have led to the gradual development of tourism on the island.

Rimatara has its own special charm, with its sublime landscapes, many assets and gentle way of life. It is a bit like a miniature Rurutu: beautiful beaches of white sand, an encircling reef, small inlets coated in feo (fossilised coral) emerging from the limpid waters of the lagoon, and a few small cliffs, mean it has no reason to be jealous of its sister islands. You will have no trouble finding a spot to enjoy the sun and a peaceful bathe. Meanwhile, the centre of the island, which forms a plateau no higher than 83 m, is ideal for exploring on foot or by bike. Its exuberant vegetation (abundant fruit trees, flowering plants, taro plantations, pandanus, nono) is home to two rare endemic species that will be sure to delight birdwatchers and the curious alike: the Rimatara reed warbler and, in particular, the Kuhl's lorikeet or ura (which means "red" in Polynesian).

A veritable rainbow, the ura is easily recognisable by its bright colours: red, yellow, greens and blues. It is especially fond of banana, lychee and kapok trees. Sacred in pre-European times, the ura's feathers were used in the making of objects of prestige for the powerful leaders of the past. This magnificent creature is the emblem of Rimatara and, in 2007, it was reintroduced to the Cook Islands, from where it had disappeared, in particular to the island of Atiu.

Rimatara is also well known for its unique local crafts, which are one of the island's main sources of income, together with the cultivation of coprah, taro, nono and pandanus, which goes on to be used throughout Polynesia. In the island's three villages, Anapoto, Motuaura and Amaru, you will be able to see the patient activity of weaving (baskets, peue, hats, etc.), the preparation of fara or pandanus, and the making of pupu or shell necklaces, known for their elegance and diversity of colours. The wood carving of the Austral Islands, still little known, is highly elaborate. It is now taught at the Centre for Young Adolescents (CJA), thereby helping to perpetuate this rare art form.

There are also a number of tourist and archeological sites, such as the Teruatavai caves, the royal burial places, the island's pito and the marae of Hirirua. Rimatara is the ideal destination if you're looking for a tranquil setting and are keen to get off the beaten track to explore an island offering many charms.

Rurutu

Looking for a flight to Rurutu? Air Tahiti can take you to one of Tahiti’s most astonishing islands, in the Austral archipelago.

Located 574 km southwest of Tahiti, the island of Rurutu, traditionally known as Eteroa, is very different from the other islands of our destination in that it was partly underwater in geological times and has now risen 150 m high, giving rise to splendid cliffs made of coral.

When you book your ticket to Rurutu, you're heading for an island of surprising landscapes, punctuated by countless caves, mountains dotted with trails criss-crossing the island and valleys embellished mainly by large taro plantations.

On Rurutu, everything grows, thanks to a temperate climate. Some examples of these include coffee, letchis, oranges, grapefruit, lemons and other fruits and vegetables.

After a 1.5-hour direct flight to Rurutu, we invite you to visit one of the island's 3 main villages: Moerai, Avera or 'Auti, to immediately immerse yourself in the culture. Refined craftsmanship, varied and splendid basketry, sumptuous “tifaifai” (patchwork blankets), traditional weddings and stone-lifting competitions, an ancestral sport in which the Rurutu people excel, the Tere, a tout of the different villages held once a year, etc.

Rurutu is a great island for walks and hikes along the coast, discovering refreshing little pools along a shallow lagoon. In the mountains, enjoy magnificent panoramic views over the island, and in the plains, discover plantations as well as picturesque villages.

Depending on the time of year you visit Rurutu, you may also have the opportunity to see humpback whales, which are particularly fond of the island from July to late October. A number of service providers offer excursions to meet these majestic giants of the ocean. You may also have the opportunity to take part in a “Tere” (in January), to tour the island with the locals, visiting villages and decorated houses, watch stone lifting (a famous local sport) and experience traditional weddings, unforgettable moments with the islanders.

One thing's for sure... Rurutu will leave you with unforgettable memories.

Use our Air Tahiti air Pass to benefit from cheap flights to Rurutu.

Enjoy your trip to the Austral Islands !

Tubuai

Book your flight to Tubuai and discover the largest island of the Austral archipelago.

Located 670 km south of Tahiti, this island invites you into its splendid setting, with its immense crystal clear lagoon, dotted with white-sand motu (islets), lush vegetation and remarkable history. Don't wait any longer and book your flight to Tubuai, the administrative center of the archipelago!

As in all the Austral islands, Tubuai enjoys a cooler climate than elsewhere in Polynesia, a difference that contributes greatly to agricultural productivity. Your stay in Tubuai will be an opportunity to discover the island's many crops, which are a pleasure to walk around: coffee, taro, wild orange trees, potatoes, leeks and more. Tubuai is renowned for its agricultural produce, making it one of French Polynesia's granaries.

When you visit Tubuai, you'll learn about archaeological remains as well as historical sites (marae) and also about the memorial of former Fort George, built by the Bounty mutineers, before being completely destroyed.

In terms of activities, Tubuai is an ideal spot for kitesurfing, kayaking, snorkeling, fishing, swimming and other water sports. On land, 4x4 excursions and mountain hikes are available to take full advantage of the island's lush nature. You'll also appreciate the warm welcome of the locals and their talent for handicrafts and agriculture.

Check out our Air Tahiti air passes to find a cheap flight to Tubuai.

Enjoy your trip to the Austral Islands!

Austral Archipelago

Looking for a flight to an island in the Austral archipelago? Air Tahiti offers regular direct flights or flights including stopovers, to the Austral islands.

Book your flight to the Australes and set off to discover this archipelago, which will plunge you into the heart of a fascinating nature and culture. Thanks to a favorable climate, fertile land and the talents of their inhabitants, the Austral islands are renowned for their prolific agricultural and fruit production. Each island is different and will enchant you.

When you fly to the Austral Islands, you can choose from a wide range of destinations: a flight to Rurutu to discover the countless caves and majestic limestone cliffs, a flight to Rimatara to meet the magnificent "Vini Ura" bird (kuhl lori), a flight to Tubuai or Raivavae, which have magnificent lagoons and remarkable archaeological sites...

Ticket fares to the Austral Islands vary according to the season, so don't hesitate to choose the travel period that best suits your budget. To find a cheap flight, we recommend you use one of our air Passes fares, which allow you to visit several islands in the same trip, such as Rimatara, Tubuai, Rurutu, Raivavae...

Flights to the Austral Islands last between 1h30 and 2h00 on average, before you land on these islands where the inhabitants are masters of the art of basketry, making magnificent hats, baskets, fans and purses from pandanus leaves. Tifaifai or patchworks, genuine masterpieces, can also be found. The warm and generous welcome of the inhabitants will ensure you have a wonderful time thanks to a variety of activities: hiking, horse riding, cycling, quad biking, whale watching excursions, 4x4 tours of the island to discover plantations and picturesque villages, mountain walks, kayaking, visits to marae (archaeological sites) and other tourist attractions…It all depends on the island you chose, as each one has its own charm.

Traveling to the Austral Islands will take you on a unique journey, as you explore these unspoilt and authentic destinations, you'll encounter vibrant indigenous cultures in breathtaking sceneries.

Islands served

Raivavae

Rimatara

Rurutu

Tubuai

Fly to the Islands of the Austral Archipelago

Rurutu

Looking for a flight to Rurutu? Air Tahiti can take you to one of Tahiti’s most astonishing islands, in the Austral archipelago. Located 574 km southwest of Tahiti, the island of Rurutu, traditionally known as Eteroa, is very ...

Explore

Tubuai

Book your flight to Tubuai and discover the largest island of the Austral archipelago. Located 670 km south of Tahiti, this island invites you into its splendid setting, with its immense crystal clear lagoon, dotted with white-...

Explore

Rimatara

Explore

Raivavae

Explore

Search Destinations

Popular Destinations