Aukena at a Glance
About Aukena
Aukena is a small island in the Gambier Islands group of French Polynesia, within the administrative subdivision of the Tuamotu-Gambier islands. It is one of the inhabited islands of the Gambier archipelago with historical mission-era remains.
The island’s notable features include buildings and ruins associated with 19th-century Catholic missionary activity, and a small present-day settlement. The coastline is typical of the Gambier Islands with sheltered lagoons and rocky shorelines.
Aukena was visited and settled by Polynesian inhabitants before European contact and later served as a site for Catholic missions established in the 19th century. Mission buildings and church structures date from that period.
Aukena lies close to Mangareva, the central island of the Gambier group, in the southeastern part of the Tuamotu-Gambier administrative area of French Polynesia. Access is by boat or inter-island transport from Mangareva.
- Missionary remains: Contains 19th-century missionary-era structures and ruins that reflect European contact and Catholic missions in the Gambier Islands.
Nearby Attractions to Aukena
Best Time to Visit Aukena
Aukena is most comfortably visited during the drier months when sea conditions are calmer for inter-island transfers.
Weather & Climate near Aukena
Subtropical climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 20°C to 28°C. Abundant rainfall (1504 mm/year), wettest in December.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 24° - 28° | 26° | 110 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 24° - 28° | 26° | 138 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 24° - 28° | 26° | 109 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 23° - 27° | 25° | 116 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 22° - 26° | 24° | 116 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 21° - 25° | 23° | 133 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 20° - 24° | 22° | 130 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 20° - 24° | 22° | 95 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 20° - 24° | 22° | 107 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 20° - 25° | 23° | 129 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 21° - 26° | 24° | 151 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 23° - 27° | 25° | 170 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Aukena
Aukena is reached from Mangareva (Rikitea) in the Gambier Islands by local boat. Flights to Mangareva are available from Tahiti; inter-island boat transfers must be arranged locally.
Tips for Visiting Aukena
- Boat transport and local guides are the only practical way on and off the island-coordinate with Rikitea on Mangareva for transfers.
- Respect the island's Polynesian cultural sites, including marae and old churches.
- Bring supplies-there are no tourist services on Aukena.