The green heart of the Austral Islands, once eyed by the Bounty mutineers
The main island and administrative centre of the Austral Islands, a low green island wrapped in a wide turquoise lagoon far south of Tahiti, with around 2,200 residents. Cooler than the tropics to the north, it is a place of taro fields, vanilla and quiet lagoon beaches.
In 1789 the mutineers of HMS Bounty, led by Fletcher Christian, briefly attempted to settle on Tubuai before conflict with the islanders drove them onward toward Pitcairn. The island was later drawn into French Polynesia and remains its regional hub for the Austral group.
Best May–Oct (dry/cool) · Wet/cyclone Dec–Mar — this reflects French Polynesia's seasonal weather and crowds.
Visa-free (French territory, 90 days). Entry rules depend on your nationality and change often — always confirm with the official French Polynesia government or embassy before you travel.
CFP Franc (XPF). You can convert USD to the live local rate right on this page.
French is the primary language in French Polynesia.
Dial 15 for emergencies in French Polynesia.
Tap water here is generally rated "Tap safe". When unsure, choose sealed bottled or filtered water.
Type A/B. Bring a compatible adapter — you can build a full packing list for Tubuai on this page.
Safety varies by neighbourhood and changes over time, so there's no one-word answer. The local emergency number is 15. Check SkyOSK's safety notes for Tubuai and your government's current travel advisory before you go.