The Austral Islands of French Polynesia consist of the Tubuai Islands and the Bass Islands.
The Tubuai Islands are the northwesternmost part of the Austral Islands, and they consist of:
The Bass Islands are southeast of the Tubuai Islands, and they consist of:
The Austral Islands are the southernmost group in French Polynesia.
Air Tahiti provides non-stop and one-stop service from Papeete to Rurutu four days a week, Tubuai five days a week, and Raivavae three days a week. Non-stop flight time is 01:30 to Rurutu, 01:40 to Tubuai, and 01:50 to Raivavae. Air Tahiti also provides connecting services from Rurutu to Tubuai two days a week and further service from each island to Raivavae one day a week.
For the rich, it is possible to travel to these islands by ship. The container/passenger ship Tuhaa Pae IV makes 2-3 trips per month from Papeete to Raivavae, Rimatara, Rurutu and Tubuai. Contact Patrice Colombani at pcolombani@snathp.com or by phone on (689) 40413606. Prices range from US$1,900-2,400 per person (depending on type of cabin) with discounts for children.