One of the most remote and least-visited archipelagos in French Polynesia, the Austral Islands reward adventurous cruisers with dramatic limestone caves, humpback whale encounters, and living Polynesian traditions barely touched by tourism.
All Austral Islands are tender ports — ships anchor in open water and ferry passengers to modest village quays by tender boat.
💡 Pro move: Infrastructure is minimal — there are no large cruise terminals, ATMs may be limited, and card acceptance is scarce. Bring XPF cash from Papeete.
No formal cruise piers exist in the Austral Islands; all ships anchor offshore and tender passengers to village landings.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Aranui (Aranui 5 / Aranoa) | Moerai (Rurutu), Tubuai north reef pass, Raivavae village quay📍 | Tendered |
| Ponant / expedition lines | Anchorage varies by island and conditions📍 | Tendered |
Excursions center on the natural wonders and cultural heritage that make the Australs unique — caves, whales, ancient stone platforms, and village life unchanged for generations.
Between July and October, humpback whales from Antarctica gather in Rurutu's waters to mate and calve. Glass-clear seas make surface sightings routine, and some operators offer snorkeling encounters with these giants.
Find whale watching tours →Rurutu is dubbed the 'Troglodyte Island' for good reason. Ana Ae'o (Mitterrand Cave, visited by the French president in 1990) and the eerie Ana Taupe'e (Monster's Cave) are limestone formations created by uplifted coral reefs — historically used as burial chambers.
Find cave excursions →After the Bounty mutiny in 1789, Fletcher Christian attempted to settle Tubuai, building an earthwork fort named Fort George at Ta'ahueia before abandoning the island months later. The fort's earthwork remains can still be traced, and Bloody Bay recalls the violent clashes with local islanders. Guided tours connect the history with the on-the-ground sites.
Find historical tours →Rurutu is famous throughout French Polynesia for exceptionally fine woven pandanus products — hats, baskets, and mats. Village women often demonstrate techniques and sell work directly. Raivavae is known for traditional canoe carving.
Find cultural tours →Often called the 'Bora Bora of the South,' Raivavae has a stunning turquoise lagoon ringed by reef motu. Local outrigger canoe trips around the lagoon and snorkeling off the motu are the island's signature experiences.
Find lagoon tours →Each island has marae — ancient stone ceremonial platforms used for religious and political gatherings. Raivavae's Marae Atoni and Rurutu's coastal marae are accessible on guided walks, offering a window into pre-European Polynesian society.
Find marae & archaeology tours →Walking options are modest but rewarding — village lanes, coastal paths, and tracks to caves suit the slow, curious traveler.
From the Moerai tender quay, walk the coastal road south past the village church and waterfront, then loop back through the village market. Look for local weavers and fresh fruit stalls. Friendly, small-town Polynesia at its most authentic.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →From the northern landing, follow the flat coastal road east toward Bloody Bay — the shoreline where the Bounty mutineers clashed with islanders in 1789 — and on toward Ta'ahueia, site of the earthwork Fort George. A simple but historically resonant walk along Tubuai's north shore.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Austral Islands, French Polynesia (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 79°F / 26°C | 76°F / 24°C | 16 |
| Feb | 80°F / 27°C | 77°F / 25°C | 17 |
| Mar | 80°F / 27°C | 77°F / 25°C | 18 |
| Apr | 79°F / 26°C | 76°F / 24°C | 14 |
| May | 77°F / 25°C | 74°F / 23°C | 13 |
| Jun | 75°F / 24°C | 72°F / 22°C | 11 |
| Jul | 73°F / 23°C | 71°F / 22°C | 10 |
| Aug | 73°F / 23°C | 70°F / 21°C | 10 |
| Sep | 73°F / 23°C | 70°F / 21°C | 9 |
| Oct | 73°F / 23°C | 71°F / 22°C | 11 |
| Nov | 75°F / 24°C | 73°F / 23°C | 10 |
| Dec | 77°F / 25°C | 75°F / 24°C | 16 |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Austral Islands, French Polynesia. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.