Austral Islands | Transportation, Flights, Ferry & Car Rentals

The Austral Islands are about 400 miles south of Tahiti and each is a unique destination. Your vacation in these islands will be an unforgettable occasion, beginning with your arrival in Tahiti.

An arrival in Raivavae ©Grégoire Le Bacon

Getting to the Austral Islands

Four of the five principal islands in the Austral Islands have an airport. You can fly directly to Tubuai, Rurutu, Rimatara and Raivavae from Tahiti several times a week. The flight time is 1 hour 30 minutes. A cargo ferry connects Tahiti with Rapa and the voyage takes about six days.

Getting around in the Austral Islands

You can rent a car to explore the island and most Tahitian Guesthouses have bikes for use by their clients. Depending on the activities you try during your stay, transfers from your accommodation are usually included. None of the islands is very big (Rimatara 6 square miles, Raivavae 11 square miles, Rurutu 20 square miles, Rapa 40 square miles, Tubuai 24 square miles) so a bike is the ideal form of transport for everyday use.

The islands only have one main road, so it’s difficult to get lost! A bike is also the best way to explore some of the little trails that often lead to hidden beauty spots and secluded beaches.

Bicycles are the ideal way to get around Raivavae ©Grégoire Le Bacon

The Austral Islands is a superb destination for scuba diving, with an abundant and varied marine life. Especially in the lagoons, the color of the sea is stunningly beautiful. Each year between July and November you can observe humpback whales that visit The Islands of Tahiti to reproduce .

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