Destination Rurutu : Infos clés & aéroport
574 km southwest of Tahiti, Rurutu is one of the Austral Islands, which enjoy a cooler climate than the other archipelagos. Its temperate climate is ideally suited to the cultivation of coffee, lychees and oranges, which are grown alongside more traditional crops, like taro.
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Practical information
Population : + 2404 inhabitants
Surface area : 12.6 sq. miles
Main village : Moerai
Minimum flight duration : 1h30
Distance from Tahiti : 571 km
The good reasons to visit
- A beautiful island with unique scenery, consisting of steep cliffs and chalk caves, lush green hills and superb beaches alongside small pools of clear water.
- A temperate climate suited to crop cultivation (coffee, grapefruit, oranges, lemons, lychees, taro, etc.).
- Archaeological sites (maraes) and geological sites (the famous caves with stalactites and stalagmites).
- Whale watching in season (around July to October).
- Weaving (hats, mats, baskets and other articles) and tifaifai (patchwork), the speciality of the island's womenfolk.
- Colourful, picturesque villages.
- A lively culture and a population attached to its traditions, whether ancestral or Christian origin : numerous traditional events (find out the dates) including "house visits", the "Tere" in January (tour of the island and the various villages with cultural activities and in particular stone lifting), the religious festivals of "Me" (month of Me), the big weddings, the July festivals with in particular horse races on the beach.
- A variety of excursions.
Do not miss
- The circle island tour, including many points of interest,
- The coral-lime kilns,
- The archaeological sites (maraes),
- The Tomb of the Kings of Rurutu,
- The Protestant church dating from 1865-72,
- The impressive cliffs,
- The caves adorned with stalactites and stalagmites,
- The grave of French navigator Eric de Bisschop,
- The copy of the famous "Tiki 'A'a", the ancestor of the gods of Rurutu, which is located at the Iareta Moeau cultural center near the airport and whose original is on display at the British Museum in London,
- The craft centres (closed on Sundays, except at the airport),
- Traditional events held throughout the year, not to be missed !
- The whales (July to October): observation platforms, magnificent panoramic views and crystal-clear waters ideal for whale watching.
Did you know that
- Rurutu used to be called Eteroa, which means "Large Basket" in Polynesian language. It was later renamed Rurutu.
- French navigator Eric de Bisschop is buried on the island.
- The best-known work of art produced in the Austral Islands has to be the carving of the god A'a, which was discovered in Rurutu and is today exhibited at the British Museum in London. There is a reproduction on the island, at the Iareta Moeau cultural centre (named after the famous dance troupe leader) which is dedicated to him at the airport.
- Rurutu has many caves, veritable palaces of stalactites and stalagmites, unique in French Polynesia.
- One of the caves bears the name of former French President François Mitterrand, who visited the island in 1990. Its real name is Ana a'eo. It is the biggest.
- The Te 'Ana Taupe'e cave, also call the "monster's mouth" due to its amazing shape, is without any doubt the most spectaluar.
- The Rurutu language is particular and is characterized by the absence of the letters "f" and "h".
- The "stone lifting", "amora'a 'ōfa'i" or "amora'a 'ō 'a'i", is both a traditional sport and a great speciality of the island's athletes, who often emerge victorious in the competitions held each year in Tahiti.
- A tree of the Austral Islands - the erythrina, or atae - is known as the "whale tree", because it blossoms from July onwards, signalling the arrival of these majestic sea mammals.
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Rurutu airport
Rurutu airport is located approximately 15 minutes by car from the main village.
There is no shuttle service, so to get to the village you will need to go by car.
If you have booked tourist accommodation, find out from your hosts whether they can arrange your outward and return transfer.
Services available
- Air Tahiti agency
- Snack bars
- Souvenir shop
- Art and craft exhibition
- Telephone kiosk
- Toilets