Tubuai Islands, French Polynesia

The Tubuai islands are located in the French Polynesian, Austral Islands. The Tubuai islands consist of Îles Maria in the northwest, part of Rimatara municipality, Rimatara, Rurutu, Tubuai and Raivavae or Raevava. Tubai is the main island of the group and is located 640 km south of Tahiti.

Tubai is an oval-shape volcanic surrounded by a turquoise lagoon of approximately 3,5 km width and many motus (islets). Mataura, located on the north coast, is the main village and offers shopping facilities, city hall, schools, hospitals, police and the airport.

The islands offers many great land excursions with a road crossing the island from Mataura to Mahu and numerous tracks accessible either by foot, by bicycle, or by 4x4 vehicles. The island’s circle road provides wonderful panoramas of the islets located on the east coast and the white sand beaches facing the 2 passes (Te Ara Moana & Reita). Other attractions include the site of the reconstructed Fort George, and the village of Mahu in the south at the Saint Helen Hermitage beside the memorial tomb of a President of the Territorial Assembly.

Things to See and Do

* Guided island and lagoon tours
* Fort George
* Saint Helen Hermitage
* Te Ara Moana & Reita beaches
* Snorkelling & Diving

Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
Currency – CFP franc (XPF)
Language – French, Tahitian
Land Area – 45 km²
Population – 2,500 approx
Electricity – 2 angled flat pins and 1 round pin centred below Australian style
Time – GMT minus ten hours
International Country Telephone Code – + 689

Port Location – Anchorage is available at the main village of Mataura.

Transport Links – Tubuai has territorial airport with 4 weekly Air Tahiti regular flights.