French Polynesia travel guide

Getting there

Almost all visitors arrive at Faa'a International Airport on Tahiti, with direct flights from France, the US, New Zealand, Japan and Chile. From there, domestic flights and ferries connect the islands.

Best time to visit: May–Oct – dry season with sunny, less humid days.

Tougher months: No bad time – but December-March is hot, humid and wetter, with a small cyclone risk.

Weather by month in Papeete

• 31°J●●●
• 31°F●●
• 31°M●●
• 31°A●
• 30°M●
• 29°J●
• 29°J●
• 29°A●
• 29°S●
• 30°O●
• 30°N●●
• 30°D●●●

Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Time zone: Pacific/Gambier, Pacific/Marquesas, Pacific/Tahiti. Compare with your local time.

Official advisory: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (U.S. Department of State, updated 2024-12-02). Read the advisory.

Source and more: French Polynesia travel facts on RoamSun

Stay

Most trips to French Polynesia are based around Tahiti, Moorea or Bora Bora. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$100–150 for a backpacker and US$250–450 mid-range, per person.

Source: RoamSun French Polynesia page · Browse hotel guides

Connect

Plug types: A, B, E. Voltage: 220 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +689.

Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.

Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun

Do

• Tahiti (Society Islands · main island): Home to Papeete's market, black-sand beaches, waterfalls and the surf of Tahiti Iti.
• Moorea (Society Islands · mountains & lagoon): A short ferry from Tahiti, with dramatic peaks, pineapple fields and lagoon snorkelling.
• Bora Bora (Leeward Islands · lagoon): The iconic lagoon island, ringed by motu and crowned by a volcanic peak.
• Raiatea & Taha'a (Leeward Islands · culture & sailing): The sacred island of Taputapuātea paired with vanilla and pearl farms, perfect for sailing.
• Huahine (Leeward Islands · traditional life): A quiet, authentic island with ancient marae, sacred blue-eyed eels and village life.
• Rangiroa (Tuamotus · atoll & diving): One of the largest atolls in the world, famous for world-class drift dives.
• Fakarava (Tuamotus · biosphere reserve): A UNESCO biosphere atoll known for its 'wall of sharks' in the south pass.
• Nuku Hiva & Hiva Oa (Marquesas · remote islands): Rugged, cloud-wrapped islands of archaeological sites, tiki and Gauguin's grave.

Things to do

• Snorkel Bora Bora's lagoon. Swim with rays and blacktip reef sharks in water of impossible blues beneath Mount Otemanu.
• Drift-dive Rangiroa's passes. Ride the current through Tiputa Pass alongside dolphins and grey reef sharks.
• Watch the Heiva. Feel the drums and see hundreds of dancers compete in Papeete's July festival of Polynesian culture.
• Hike Moorea's ridges. Climb to the Belvedere lookout for views over Cook's and Opunohu bays.
• Visit Taputapuātea marae. Stand at the ancient sacred site on Raiatea that was the heart of Polynesian voyaging.
• Watch the wave at Teahupo'o. Take a boat out to see surfers ride one of the heaviest waves on the planet off Tahiti Iti.
• Explore the Marquesas. Sail to remote, jagged islands with stone tiki statues, deep valleys and wild horses.
• Taste vanilla on Taha'a. Tour a vanilla plantation and a black pearl farm on the 'vanilla island'.

Source: full French Polynesia guide on RoamSun

Eat and drink

• Poisson cru – raw tuna in lime and coconut milk
• Ma'a Tahiti – feast cooked in an earth oven
• Po'e – baked fruit pudding with coconut
• Firifiri – sweet coconut doughnuts

Source: RoamSun French Polynesia guide

Money and safety

Currency: CFP franc (XPF). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: Not expected but appreciated.

Emergency numbers: 17 police · 18 fire · 15 ambulance.

• The currency is the CFP franc (XPF), which is pegged to the euro.
• Cards are accepted in hotels and larger shops; ATMs are found on main islands but are scarce on remote atolls, so carry cash.
• French Polynesia is very safe with low crime; just secure valuables at beaches and in rental cars.
• Respect lagoon currents and boat traffic, and only swim with sharks and rays on reputable tours.

Source: RoamSun French Polynesia facts