Planning your trip to French Polynesia
Ia ora na, and welcome ahead of time. Here are the questions everyone asks before heading to Tahiti and the islands, with clear, local answers. Ready? Post your request and let local pros contact you.
Formalities & entry
Do I need a visa for French Polynesia?
French Polynesia is a French overseas collectivity, but it is not part of the Schengen area and applies its own entry rules. Most travellers (EU, Switzerland, UK, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan…) enter visa-free for a tourist stay, usually up to 90 days. Rules depend on your nationality and change over time: check the website of the High Commission of the Republic in Polynesia before booking.
What passport validity, and do I need a return ticket?
Travel with a passport valid for the whole duration of your stay (French citizens may travel with a valid ID card, but a passport is still recommended). A return ticket and proof of accommodation may be requested on arrival.
Do I need travel insurance?
It is not mandatory for most visitors, but strongly recommended: care and especially a medical evacuation from a remote island can be very costly. Choose insurance covering medical costs, repatriation and, ideally, water activities.
When to go
When is the best time to visit French Polynesia?
The dry season, May to October (austral winter), is the most pleasant: cooler, less humid, and the sea is often calmer. It is also the high season, book early. From November to April it is hot and humid, rainier (risk of storms/cyclones); in return, lush vegetation and softer prices.
What is the weather like month by month?
It is warm all year round (about 26–31 °C / 79–88 °F). The difference is rain and humidity: dry and bright from May to October, heavier and stormier from November to April. Tropical showers are often brief, even in the wet season.
Can you see whales?
Yes, humpback whales come to give birth in Polynesian waters, usually from August to October/November. One of the finest experiences of the fenua, to be done with a responsible operator who respects the animals.
Are there events not to miss?
The main highlight is the Heiva i Tahiti, in July: songs, dances, traditional sports and contests that thrill the whole country. There are also many festivals, markets and va’a (outrigger canoe) races throughout the year.
Budget & money
What is the currency?
The Pacific franc (XPF or CFP). Its rate is fixed against the euro: about 1,000 XPF = €8.38 (i.e. ≈ 119 XPF for €1).
Is French Polynesia expensive?
Yes, the cost of living is high: most goods are imported. You can still manage your budget by choosing family guesthouses, roulottes (local food trucks, tasty and affordable), markets and group activities. Luxury overwater bungalow hotels are in another category.
Card or cash?
Cards work in hotels, most restaurants and shops on the main islands. Always carry cash for small guesthouses, food trucks, markets, taxis and especially the remote atolls and islands, where ATMs are rare. Withdraw cash in Tahiti before heading to a small island.
Should I tip?
No, tipping is not part of the local culture and is not expected. A gesture is welcome if the service impressed you, but it is by no means required.
Getting there & around
How do I get to Tahiti?
International flights land at Tahiti–Faa’a airport (PPT). From mainland France, count about 22 hours with one stop (often Los Angeles, San Francisco or Vancouver), with Air Tahiti Nui, Air France or French Bee. There are also connections from the US west coast, South America, New Zealand and Japan.
What is the time difference?
Polynesia is on UTC-10 (same time as Hawaii), with no daylight saving. The difference with mainland France is about 11 h in winter and 12 h in summer (Tahiti behind). Allow a day or two to acclimatise.
How do I travel between the islands?
Two airlines handle inter-island travel: Air Tahiti, which serves almost all inhabited islands, and Air Moana, which links a handful of in-demand destinations (Moorea, Bora Bora, Raiatea, Huahine, Rangiroa, Fakarava, Tikehau, Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa) at often competitive fares. For Moorea, the simplest and cheapest option is the ferry from Papeete (~30–50 min). Tip: if you visit three islands or more, compare the price of an Air Tahiti Pass with buying single tickets. Book 2–3 months ahead in high season.
How do I get around on an island?
A rental car is the most practical option (national or international licence; drive on the right). Scooters and bikes are perfect for small islands. On Tahiti there is a bus network and taxis.
Itinerary & choosing islands
How many islands should I visit, and for how many days?
Resist the temptation to do too much: every island change costs time and money. Over 10 to 14 days, two or three well-chosen islands beat five rushed ones. Leave a margin for connections, which often go via Papeete.
Which island for what?
Tahiti, arrival, Papeete, its markets and food trucks, the Teahupo’o wave; Moorea, a ferry ride from Tahiti, ideal for a first stay; Bora Bora, the postcard, turquoise lagoon and honeymoon; Huahine, authentic and secret; Raiatea & Taha’a, the sacred island (UNESCO marae) and the vanilla island; Rangiroa & Fakarava, the Tuamotu, a diving paradise; Marquesas (Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa), intense, spectacular and more remote lands. See all islands →
Accommodation
Hotel or family guesthouse?
Both have their charm. Hotels (including the famous overwater bungalows) offer comfort and services, at a high price. Family guesthouses, often run by locals, are more affordable, warm and authentic: that is often where the best encounters happen. Rather than searching for hours, post your request: available hosts reply to you directly.
Health & safety
Do I need vaccinations?
No vaccine is generally required to enter. Make sure your usual vaccinations are up to date and ask your doctor for advice. Mosquito-borne diseases (dengue, zika, chikungunya) circulate: bring repellent.
Can you drink the tap water?
In Papeete and the main areas of Tahiti, the water is generally drinkable, but this varies by municipality and atoll. When in doubt, check locally and prefer bottled water on small islands.
Is it a safe destination?
Polynesia is a peaceful and welcoming destination. The precautions are common sense: beware of the sun (high UV index), respect the ocean (currents, passes, coral), and watch the weather in the wet season.
Practical
What language is spoken?
French and reo Tahiti (Tahitian) are the languages of the fenua. English is understood in tourist areas. A few words in Tahitian are always appreciated: ia ora na (hello), māuruuru (thank you), nana (goodbye).
How do I stay connected (internet, phone)?
Wi-Fi is common in hotels and guesthouses. For mobile data, get a local SIM or eSIM (Vini, Vodafone, Ora). Coverage is good on the main islands, more variable on remote atolls.
Electricity and plugs?
Power is 220 V, with European-type plugs. Travellers coming from outside Europe should bring an adapter.
What should I pack?
Light clothes, swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, mosquito repellent, water shoes (useful on coral), a light layer for evenings and rain, and any medicines. Bring a dry bag for boat trips.
Culture, respect & activities
What customs should I respect?
Polynesian hospitality is warm; return it. Dress appropriately away from the beach (villages, churches), ask before photographing people, and respect sacred sites (marae) as well as nature, don’t damage coral, don’t touch wildlife. Giving and receiving a tiare or a flower necklace is part of the pleasure.
What are the must-dos?
Snorkelling and diving in the lagoon, whale watching in season, hiking in the valleys, visiting a pearl farm, tasting local food (raw fish in coconut milk, ma’a Tahiti), an evening of dance and music… Find providers island by island in our directory.
When should I book activities?
Book the must-dos (whale watching, dives, flagship excursions) ahead in high season: spots fill up fast. For the rest, you can often arrange things on site as you go.
Ready to plan your stay?
Post your request in 2 minutes. Local hosts and providers in French Polynesia contact you directly. Ia orana e manuia te tere, have a great trip.
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