Landmark· Rurutu· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Rurutu Makatea Cliffs
22° 26.5′ S · 151° 21.0′ W
Rurutu was lifted about 150 m by a hotspot around a million years ago, raising its old reef into makatea cliffs that ring the island, riddled with caves full of stalactites.
Practical
Coordinate is the Mato Naa cliff north of Moerai (OSM). Other named cliffs: Matotea above Avera, Matonaa and Te Araroa in the south. Geology per Wikipedia: formed about 12 million years ago over the Macdonald hotspot, then uplifted about 1 million years ago over the Arago hotspot. The 36 km coast road is dotted with cliff lookouts and caves. Few sites are signed; locals will point the way.
Best for
Understanding Rurutu's landscape
Nearby
- Grotte d'Otare Cliffs Lookout (Rurutu)0.2 NM away
- Manureva Coffee Factory (Moerai)0.4 NM away
- Boulangerie Parau (Moerai)0.5 NM away
- Rurutu ATMs (Moerai)0.5 NM away
- Rurutu Pharmacy (Moerai)0.5 NM away
- Rurutu Post Office0.5 NM away
- Tere Festival Rurutu (January stone lifting)0.5 NM away
- Restaurant Tiare Hinano (Moerai)0.6 NM away