The Island
Land Activities, About the Island of Rurutu in the South Pacific
Rurutu, French Polynesia, home to just over 2,000 people, is a small island of stunning cliffs, limestone caves, and lush greenery. Its culture revolves around traditional fishing, farming, and storytelling, with meals highlighting local ingredients like taro, breadfruit, fresh fish, and coconut—deeply connecting life to the land and sea.
L’île des Baleines
Located in the remote Austral Islands of French Polynesia, over 100 kms from the next nearest landmass, Rurutu is a hidden gem that offers a blend of natural beauty, Polynesian cultural depth, and unique encounters with humpback whales.
With its lush greenery, towering cliffs, and pristine beaches, the island feels like a world apart from the resorts of Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora. Its charm lies in its authenticity, as it has retained much of its traditional way of life and remains relatively untouched by mass tourism.
Life on the island revolves around fishing, farming, and community. Visitors will notice the importance of family and collective living, with extended families often working together in taro and fruit farming, animal husbandry, fishing, or craft-making endeavors. Locals speak Rurutuan, a dialect of Tahitian, as well as French. The pace is slow and calm. And everyone knows everyone else’s business.
Location: Situated approximately 600 km south of Tahiti, Rurutu is part of the Austral Islands archipelago.
Size: The island spans 32.7 km², measuring 10.8 km in length and 5.3 km in width.
Population: As of the 2022 census, Rurutu has a population of 2,163 residents.
Highest Point: Mount Manureva, the island’s highest peak, reaches 389 meters.
Languages Spoken: Rurutuan (similar to Tahitian) and French.
Currency: Pacific Franc (XPF), about 110 Francs to the USD.
Land Actvities
Beyond the water, your journey in Rurutu includes 2~4 immersive land excursions that highlight the island’s stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture.
Additionally, in the evenings, guests are welcome to join Teiti in the kitchen for a hands-on experience preparing traditional meals, adding another layer of cultural immersion to your stay.
These land activities and culinary opportunities complement your ocean adventures, providing a deeper connection to Rurutu’s natural splendor, rich heritage, and daily life. We’re 50% ocean and 50% culture and community.
Tête de Monstre Hike
Take on an adventurous hike to the “Tête de Monstre” (Monster Head), a striking rock formation along Rurutu’s dramatic cliffs. This trek, planned during low tide, also leads you along pristine beaches, and up jagged cliffs, offering unforgettable views and a sense of the island’s untamed beauty.
Get ready to do a little bit of scrambling to reach the head, sturdy footwear is a must. This is a favourite 2-3 hour activity for many of our guests.
Island Legends Tour
Explore Rurutu’s fascinating history and traditions on a guided tour around the island. Visit the sacred Ana A’eo cave, historic landmarks, taro fields, artisan workshops, Vaiamanu beach, and the island’s other two “towns” of Avera and Hauti.
During this experience, you will learn about the island’s stories and cultural heritage, much like locals continue to do once a year during their island festival.
Island Realities & Community Life
While Rurutu is breathtakingly beautiful, it is not a seamless tourist machine, and that’s part of its soul. This island functions on community, tradition, and slow rhythm. Here’s what that means in practical terms:
Remote & Limited Infrastructure
Supplies arrive by cargo boat every couple weeks. Many repairs, parts, and equipment need to be imported. When something breaks— a pump, a roof, a communication line— fixing it can take a while. Healthcare doesn’t extend beyond a small clinic. Locals all fly to Tahiti for procedures.
Community Over Commerce
You won’t find luxury hotels, chains, or mass tourism here. Instead, you’ll stay with families, eat local meals, share in daily life, and be welcomed into a close-knit community that cares deeply about its land and sea.
Expect Surprises (Because They Always Happen)
In every season (over 8 years now), we’ve had at least one major surprise: a flooding house, internet cuts, power failures, a truck down, a boat down, pregnant cats. It’s just part of island life. We do our absolute best to work with plans B and C when needed; please know we care deeply about the integrity of your experience on the island as a whole and always strive to make it the best possible.
Bring Patience, Curiosity & Flexibility
The magic of this place lies in its realness, its unpredictability, its quiet moments, its genuine encounters. If you arrive expecting precision and perfection, you might be disappointed. But if you come with a sense of adventure, open heart, and willingness to roll with the island, you might discover a journey far richer than you ever expected as many of our guests already know.
