Far off the well-trodden paths of the South Pacific lies a forgotten chain of volcanic jewels—the Austral Islands, or Tuhaa Pae. This is the fifth archipelago of French Polynesia, comprising Rimatara, Rurutu, Tubuai, Raivavae, Rapa Iti, and the uninhabited atoll of Maria.
The southernmost islands in Polynesia, the Australs sit southeast of Tahiti, and trace an ancient migration route from the Cook Islands, 900 miles to the northwest. Archaeological evidence from sacred Marae (temples) shows that Polynesians inhabited these isolated islands as early as 900 AD. European contact began with sightings by James Cook in 1777, followed by unsuccessful settlement by the Bounty mutineers in 1789. The 19th century brought whalers—and with them, missionaries who reshaped and disrupted local traditions.
But isolation has its blessings. Today, the Austral Islands are fairly well protected by distance, particularly Rapa Iti which remains the most culturally intact. Anthropologists often cite Rapa as a surviving Polynesian model of communal land tenure and village governance. Traditional music, dance and storytelling persist, and external influence is reduced by the lack of an airport and only occasional visits by shipping.
Wildlife on the Islands
The Australs are a twitcher’s paradise, with many rare and endemic species, some of which are critically endangered. These include the Rurutu reed-warbler (Acrocephalus Rimitarae), Kuhl’s Lorikeet (Vini Kuhlii) and the Rapa fruit dove (Ptilinopus Huttoni).
Minimal tourism and fishing have allowed the reef systems around the islands to remain intact. There are numerous healthy coral and pelagic species. Reef fish, rays, turtles and occasional humpback whales can be seen. The diversity of species is high, but less documented than other areas of Polynesia.
The Flora, too, is pretty special, particularly on Rapa Iti which is notable for its cloud forest vegetation. There are many plant species that exist nowhere else. The archipelago has some unique coastal and highland vegetation too. This includes pandanus, ferns and hardwood forest, as well as traditional Polynesian agricultural plants such as breadfruit, taro, yams, bananas and kava.
Climate
Mild and breezy just about sums it up! The Australs are subtropical to temperate- cooler and wetter than much of the rest of Polynesia due to their latitude. Temperatures range from 18–28°C and rainfall is frequent year round (December to March being the wettest). Cyclones are rare but not impossible in the summer.
Sailing There
Lying on the southern reaches of French Polynesia, the Austral Islands are well off the main Pacific cruising routes. Their exposure to open swell and their limited support infrastructure makes them an uncommon destination. Sailing here can feel higher-latitude than it really is, with variable conditions and squalls. However, there are reliable trade winds, and the reward for voyaging in remote waters like these is solitude, cultural depth and a genuine sense of achievement.
2026 will be the first year that a ship in the Classic Sailing fleet has sailed to the Austral Islands, and the archipelago is unlikely to be a regular feature of the schedule due to its sheer remoteness. Keep an eye on our Polynesian voyages for trips, and if you see one, jump on it!
For more on the culture of this fascinating place, look out for Rhys Richards’ beautiful book: The Austral Islands: History, Art and Art History.
