Itineraries
The Austral Islands sit about 600 km south of Tahiti, well off the usual French Polynesia trail. There are no resorts lined up along the lagoon and no flights hopping between most of them — the practical way to see several islands on one trip is the Tuhaa Pae IV, the working freighter that supplies the archipelago and carries a small number of passengers along the way.
The most comfortable window is roughly May to October: drier, a little cooler, and the season when humpback whales gather off Rurutu to calve (typically July to October). November to April is warmer and greener but wetter. Because the Tuhaa Pae is a cargo ship first, sailings follow a fixed schedule — pick your dates around that rather than the other way around.
Every Classic Voyage calls at Raivavae, Tubuai, Rurutu and Rimatara; the longer Grand Tour adds remote Rapa. Each is distinct: Rurutu for whales and limestone caves, Tubuai for its lagoon and Bounty history, Raivavae for its blue lagoon and stone tiki, Rimatara for quiet beaches and craft villages. See the day-by-day itinerary for what a typical voyage looks like.
Book your sailing well ahead, arrive in Tahiti a day or two early in case of flight delays, and pack for a basic, friendly ship rather than a cruise liner — there's no shop, no laundry and limited Wi-Fi. The FAQ covers packing, cabins and what daily life aboard is really like. For background on the region, French Polynesia's official tourism board, Tahiti Tourisme, is a good starting point.
Tell us your preferred sailing dates and cabin and we'll help you plan your Austral Islands voyage — or call +1 250-385-3001.