Activities
If wildlife is your reason to come, time your voyage for July to October, when humpback whales migrate to the warm waters off Rurutu to give birth and nurse their calves. Rurutu is famous for it — you can often see, and even hear, the whales close to shore.
Rurutu's rugged coast is honeycombed with limestone caves worth exploring on foot. Offshore and around neighbouring Rimatara, the reefs shelter colourful fish, turtles and abundant marine life — bring your own snorkel gear, as it isn't provided on board and remote-island shops carry little.
Whale encounters are a privilege: keep a respectful distance and follow your guide's lead. Swimming with whales is a popular optional add-on between roughly July and September and must be arranged well in advance — let us know if you'd like it built into your trip. The itinerary shows where Rurutu and Rimatara fall in the voyage.
Tell us your preferred sailing dates and cabin and we'll help you plan your Austral Islands voyage — or call +1 250-385-3001.