Rurutu

island, French Polynesia

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July 13, 2026

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Rurutu is an island in the Tubuai Islands archipelago, which is the southernmost part of French Polynesia in the South Pacific Ocean. The Tubuai Islands are volcanic in origin and are part of a submerged mountain chain. Rurutu, with an area of 11 square miles (29 square km), is one of five inhabited islands in the group. The inhabitants are primarily Protestant, and Polynesian traditions are well-preserved due to the islands' relative isolation. The main resources include fish, coffee, taro, copra, and oranges.1

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Oceanic art and architecture
The Austral (Tubuai) Islands
The style of Rurutu, to the north of the group, uses the star design and chevrons but is otherwise less ornate. Some objects were traded to other islands, the most common being fly-whisk handles, which were exported to Tahiti. Each handle was topped by a pair of figures…
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The style of Rurutu, to the north of the group, uses the star design and chevrons but is otherwise less ornate. Some objects were traded to other islands, the most common being fly-whisk handles, which were exported to Tahiti. Each handle was topped by a pair of figures…
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Tubuai Islands
…square miles [8 square km]), Rurutu (11 square miles [29 square km]), and Tubuai (18 square miles [47 square km])—as well as the tiny, uninhabited Marotiri Islands at the southern end of the chain, and Maria Atoll in the north.
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…square miles [8 square km]), Rurutu (11 square miles [29 square km]), and Tubuai (18 square miles [47 square km])—as well as the tiny, uninhabited Marotiri Islands at the southern end of the chain, and Maria Atoll in the north.
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