Discover the Tubuai Islands: hiking, culture and water

On Tubuai, an island in the Tubuai Islands destination, you can plan a vacation around outdoor activities, culture and water-based pursuits. Families with different interests have several themes to choose from: hiking trails on Mount Taitaa, historical heritage, handicrafts and activities on the water.

Hiking on Mount Taitaa

Tubuai has numerous hiking trails, including routes on Mount Taitaa, which rises 422 meters. The climb to the summit offers a 360-degree panoramic view. This gives the hike a clear scenic focus if you want to include exercise and expansive views in your plans. It is also part of the Raid Litchis, an annual race held in November. This links the route to a recurring running event. If the race is relevant to your trip, take the event date into account when planning.

History, culture and handicrafts

The reconstruction of Fort George is open to visitors and commemorates the mutineers of the Bounty’s unsuccessful attempt to settle there in 1789. The site gives your travel plans a specific historical focus. Tubuai also has a handicraft center showcasing work by local artisans, including Tifaifai quilts, woven hats and baskets. The selection ranges from textile work to woven goods and shows different forms of craftsmanship. Other cultural sites on Tubuai include marae and the Saint-Hélène hermitage. History, crafts and other cultural sites offer a variety of themes for culture-minded travelers.

Water activities and seasonal opportunities

Tubuai has more than twelve dive sites, six of which are suitable for beginners. Conditions at dive sites can vary, so take this into account when planning a dive. A picnic excursion to Motu Toena combines fishing and snorkeling. Ask locally whether this excursion is available. Swimming is a possible activity at Tavana Beach; check local access and swimming conditions before your visit. If you are on Tubuai between July and November and are interested in whale watching, you can ask about excursions and confirm their current availability.

Getting around and the yearly cycle on Tubuai

The Mataura district can be explored on foot or by bicycle. It is home to the island’s only bank, which has an ATM, as well as the town hall and the gendarmerie. If you rely on the ATM, check in advance whether it is currently operating. The agricultural calendar also has a clear seasonal marker: lychees are harvested on Tubuai every December. Together with the November date of the Raid Litchis and the whale-watching excursion season, this provides a range of seasonal reference points for planning your trip.

Choose a vacation rental to suit your travel interests

When looking for a vacation rental in the Tubuai Islands destination, it helps to first decide what kind of stay you want: should hiking, culture or a water activity be the main focus? If you are traveling as a family with different interests, you can decide together which focus matters most for your trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Huahine, Mata'ura, Tamatoa.

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