Tubuai
TUBUAI
Located on the tropic of Capricorn, Tubuaï enjoys a temperate climate, tropical yet cooler than Tahiti. Two volcanic mountain ranges stand out against the milky sky typical of the Austral archipelago.
There, the blues seem colder, and the greens sharper under the diaphanous light which highlights the turquoise lagoon of this ovalshaped island. Favoured place for diving, Tubuai's warm waters offer an excellent shelter for all sorts of tropical fish as well as clams and crayfish living close to the many "motu" (islets) set inside the coral barrier. Economic and administrative center of the Australs, Tubuai is the largest island of the archipelago. Her wonderful landscpae portrays a tropical paradise. Sumptuous white sand beaches, gentle slopes, fertile valleys where coffee, "taro" and orange trees grow. Just perfect for visitors to enjoy magnificent panoramas. A few years after Captain James Cook, the first Europeans to set foot on this ground were Fletcher Christian and his "Mutiny on the bounty" gang who tried to settle in Fort George only to leave traces of their passage after intense battles on the site. From Mataura harbor, with a little imagination, visitors will be able to see the profile of a man lying down on the western mountain chain of the island. 4x4 excursion are possible as well as easy hikes to the top of Mount Taita (1,280 feet) enabling ramblers to exercise their passion on wild trails amidst lush vegetation flooded by sun. In addition, a constant year-round wind allows kitesurfing or windsurfing in its immense lagoon. |