Rurutu is the most northerly of the Austral Islands, located 572 km. (355 miles) southwest of Tahiti. A very pretty island with a circumference of 32 km. (20 miles), Rurutu's highest mountain, Taatioe, reaches an elevation of 389 meters (1,270 ft). In the main village of Moerai there is a gendarmerie, a post office with telephone facilities, an infirmary with doctor and dentist, two branches of Tahiti banks, four small stores and two bakeries, a couple of snack bars and a butcher shop. An electric station provides 24-hour service, a radio and TV video station gives news and entertainment, and there are primary and high schools. Moerai and the villages of Avera and Hauti are home to the island's 2,015 inhabitants.
Rurutu does not have the wide lagoons found in the Society Islands or in Tubuai and Raivavae. Swimming and snorkeling are still possible in certain areas, however, and there are a few white sand beaches. Activities include horseback riding and hiking to waterfalls, where refreshing showers cascade into fern bordered pools.
Limestone grottoes with stalactites and stalagmites invite explorers. Circle island tours by four-wheel drive vehicle wind over rutted roads into cool valleys where fields of wild "miri" sweet basil scent the breeze. Picnic lunches can be packed for these trips or to play in the sun on deserted white sand beaches.
A special attraction on Rurutu occurs each January and July, when the young men and women of each village prove themselves in a show of strength. Following a custom called "amoraa ofai", unique to Rurutu, they attempt to lift huge volcanic stones to their shoulders.The village champions hoist one sacred stone that weighs 330 lbs. (150 kg.). This accomplishment is followed by exuberant feasting and dancing.