Pension Teautamatea

At our family-run guesthouse you will find a warm Polynesian welcome, as well as an opportunity to explore the luxuriant tropical beauty of our tiny Pacific island, Rurutu, in the Austral Islands, French Polynesia. Rurutu is >500 km due south of Tahiti, lost in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, well off the beaten track. Agriculture (taro planting and pig farming), fishing and traditional handicrafts (weaving Pandanus) remain the primary occupations of the c.2200 inhabitants and you are likely to see horses as well as cars in the streets. The guesthouse is ideally situated, opposite a beautiful white sand beach (complete with spectacular sunsets), bordered by a coconut grove and set against a MARAE (a Polynesian sacred site belonging to the ancient royal family of Rurutu.

 

Our Homemade Specialities

Here at the guesthouse we can offer you some new culinary experiences %u2013 our cuisine is inspired by the best of our fresh local produce, combining Polynesian flavors with other world cuisines. You will be sure to taste the islands' famous taro, as well as fresh fish and a host of other tropical fruits and vegetables.
Dishes like our wahoo carpaccio, breadfruit soup, sweet potato au gratin, vanilla mahi-mahi and Creole crepes (served with our homemade vanilla ice-cream) are here awaiting your arrival!

Homemade jams and ices

In Rurutu we are lucky to have an abundance of fruits year round, so we are proud to always be able to offer you a wide selection of homemade ice-creams, sorbets and jams - using grapefruit, lime, papaya, mango, banana, guava and other exotic fruits, depending on seasonal availability.

Ahi Ma'a

Saturdays on Rurutu are traditionally the day that the ahi ma'a (Tahitian oven) is prepared, ready to be opened on the sunday. We can prepare you a traditional Rurutu meal, steamed slowly in the ahi ma'a. Menu: fish, seafood, pork cooked in taro leaves (fafa), poisson cru in coconut milk, fruit po'e, accompaniments: an assortment of taro, breadfruit, manioc, fei, umara and sweet potato, coconut milk, mitihue and taioro. A glass of tropical punch included. Minimum 4 people, 3500 xpf/person, or 1000 xpf extra/person on the half-board accommodation options.

Rurutu Coffee

Grown, roasted, ground and enjoyed in Rurutu, it's the best choice for breakfast.

SHOPPING
Weaving

The ladies of the Austral Islands are well known for their skills in weaving mats, hats and bags from various organic fibers, including Pandanus and niau (coconut- leaf fibre).
During your stay be sure to drop in to visit the numerous 'fare artisanats' on the island, or order a made-to-measure item from our on-site artisanat. Viriamu's mother is renowned as one of the best weavers on the islands, her niau hats, in particular, are much sought after!

Various other local products and handicrafts are also on sale here at the guesthouse, including wood and stone carvings, shell necklaces, Rurutu coffee and our homemade jams.

Things to do in Rurutu
The Island Tour:

Keen to discover the unspoilt beauty and Polynesian culture of our island? Try the island tour. A day can easily be filled visiting Rurutu - a 4WD tour in the mountains taking in the numerous plantations of local tropical fruits, vegetables, vanilla, coffee, Pandanus for weaving and taro, the pride of Rurutu and Polynesian staple.
Enjoy spectacular views of the island (camera recommended!).
The caves, that betray Rurutu's complex geological history, complete with limestone formations.
You will visit the three main villages of the island, Moerai, Avera and Hauti, each with its 'craft center' where you can see the women of the island at work weaving Pandanus. A leisurely picnic on one of the isolated whitesand beaches on the south coast of the island will give you a welcome opportunity to relax and enjoy your own private paradise!
Throughout the tour we will be happy to share our knowledge of the island and to answer any questions you might have.
Horse-riding: iriamu, the owner, is an accomplished horseman, and he will be more than happy to take you on a half day horse trek into the mountains, across the island's agricultural plateau scattered with plantations of fruits and vegetables, up through the luxuriant tropical vegetation to a breath-taking panorama of the island's mountain chain, the beaches, lagoon and Pacific Ocean. We recommend that you wear closed footwear and long shorts or trousers. Horse-riding novices are welcome, Viriamu's horses are well trained. Not suitable for children under the age of 6.

Whale-watching:

An unforgettable opportunity to get closer to the magnificent hump-back whales, that visit Rurutu annually for the breeding season, between mid-july and late october. If the conditions and the whales permit, it is also possible to get the chance to swim with these gentle giants (wetsuit and snorkelling gear provided). Whales are wild animals and there is no guarantee that you will see the whales each time, though we do our best to satisfy.

Guided cave visit:
Visit one of the more spectacular and inaccessible cave galleries on the island, with an experienced guide from Rurutu. The trail is steep and sometimes physically challenging, so this activity is reserved for the more active visitor. We recommend that you wear closed footwear.

Other activities:

• Scuba diving, dive center on the island
• Hiking in the mountains/along the beach, there are a variety of beautiful half-day hikes on the island
• Take advantage of our whitesand beach - swimming/snorkelling (fins and masks available at the guesthouse)
• Hire a bicycle, scooter, car or 4WD, quad-bike for the day

Rates (in $USD)

Yearly Season 2012 :   Jan 01st, 2012 - Dec 31st, 2012

All rates shown in green indicate the lowest prices available but may not have free amenities includes, such as free breakfast. Certain conditions may be applied.

Regular price