RURUTU

Whale island

Protected from the ocean’s fury by a small coral reef, Rurutu (the "gushing rock" in Polynesian language) is the most northern island of the archipelago. Between the basalt that forms the island, and the sea, a limestone belt surrounds the island with steep cliffs, bordering the old lagoon, which has now become a plateau. The numerous caves sheltered by those cliffs, carved by erosion and embellished by amazing stalagtites and stalagmites, used to be graves and are one of the many attractions of the island.

Rurutu offers a fantastic variety of landscapes, drowned under the lush vegetation. The winding road following white sand beaches or overlooking the splendid bays of the coast, leads to fresh valleys where coffee plantations mingle with wild « miri » (basil), pineapples and litchi trees spreading their aromas around. Faithful towards traditions, the 2,104 inhabitants of the island organize cultural events, several times a year (« Tere », large weddings, stone lifting...) in the villages of Moerai, Avera and Auti. The mamas of the island specialize in the art of weaving the fiber of pandanus, but are also known for their handmade hats, carpets (peue) as well as the art of making tifaifai, flashy colored patchwork blankets. Cradle of whales, Rurutu allows the observation of those fascinating mammals from July to October when they come to breed in the clear waters that surround the island. How could a diver ever forget swimming with a mother whale and her calf or hearing the songs of the males trying to attract the females?