Rimatara
Island Small Austral Islands atoll in French Polynesia
Rimatara is a small Austral Islands atoll in the South Pacific where visitors encounter Polynesian village life, fringing reefs and low coconut groves, typically via regional connections.
Rimatara is a small volcanic island in the Austral Islands of French Polynesia, located in the South Pacific and forming part of the territory of French Polynesia. It is a compact inhabited island with limited infrastructure and a single principal village.
The island hosts one main settlement, Amaru, which serves as the local administrative and population center, and the landscape consists of coastal plains and a central elevated interior. Services and transport connections are limited compared with the Society Islands, and access is normally by infrequent air or sea links.
Rimatara lies in the southern part of French Polynesia within the Austral archipelago, southwest of the Society Islands and hundreds of kilometers from Tahiti; it is remote within the South Pacific island groups.
- Political status: Part of the Austral Islands group in French Polynesia and administered as part of French Polynesia.
How to Get to Rimatara #
Rimatara is a small Austral Islands atoll reached by air. Scheduled inter-island flights operate from Papeete (Faa’a International Airport) to Rimatara Airport (RMT); check Air Tahiti for current timetables. The airstrip is on the island, so on arrival you can reach villages by a very short taxi or walk from the airport.
There are no regular road or ferry services from Tahiti for this long-distance crossing; inter-island flight is the usual public-access option.
Tips for Visiting Rimatara #
- Visit in the dry season (roughly May-October) when sea conditions and inter-island transport are most reliable; flights and boats are infrequent, so plan connections with generous buffer time.
- Use the small island airport near the main village (Amaru) or pre-arrange a boat pick-up - public transport on Rimatara is extremely limited, so confirm arrival/departure with your host or carrier.
- Don't rush through the single village and surrounding lowland: take time to meet local residents and look for small marae and traditional community sites that many day-trippers miss.
Best Time to Visit Rimatara #
Visit during the drier months (May-October) for milder, less rainy conditions and easier island travel.
Weather & Climate near Rimatara #
Rimatara's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with hot summers (peaking in February) and warm winters (coldest in August). Temperatures range from 18°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1861 mm/year), wettest in December.
January
January is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 23°C. Significant rainfall (200 mm).
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February
February is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 23°C. Heavy rain (203 mm).
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March
March is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 23°C. Heavy rain (208 mm).
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April
April is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 22°C. Significant rainfall (178 mm).
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May
May is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (160 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 19°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm).
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July
July is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (118 mm).
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August
August is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (117 mm).
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October
October is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm).
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November
November is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 21°C. Significant rainfall (135 mm).
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December
December is warm with highs of 27°C and lows of 22°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (234 mm).
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