French Polynesia
French Polynesia is a group of South Pacific islands under France, known for lagoons, reef diving, surfing and Polynesian culture. Start on Tahiti, where international flights land, or add Moorea, a short ferry or flight away.
French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France in the South Pacific, about 6,500 km east of Australia. Its islands fall into five groups: the Society Islands, which include Tahiti and Bora Bora, the Tuamotus, the Gambier Islands, the Austral Islands and the Marquesas. Papeete, on Tahiti, is the capital, and Fa'a'ā International Airport nearby is the territory's only international airport, so international flights land on Tahiti.
Visitors come for lagoons, reef diving, surfing at Teahupo'o, a famous reef break that hosted surfing at the 2024 Summer Olympics, and outrigger canoe racing on every island. Moorea, the sister island, is ringed by coral reef and sits a short ferry or flight from Papeete. Air Tahiti flies domestic routes to around 60 destinations, and each island has its own airport. The cooler, drier season runs from May to October, while the warm, humid season runs from November to April, and cyclones are most likely from December to March.
Five things to know before French Polynesia
- Check the French Polynesia rules, not Schengen
French Polynesia is French but not part of the Schengen area. UK and Canadian passports can visit visa-free for up to 90 days; check other passports with the French authorities. Visas and entry
- Book inter-island flights with your stays
Most islands beyond Moorea are reached only by domestic flights from Papeete, with a few departures a day. Baggage limits on these flights are lower than on long-haul tickets, so check yours.
- Take the ferry to Moorea
Moorea is about 30 to 45 minutes from the Papeete ferry terminal, with several sailings a day. It is the easy first island if your time or budget is short. Moorea
- Budget for French prices on remote islands
Most food is shipped in, so groceries and restaurant meals cost more than in mainland France. Pensions and family guesthouses with half board keep the daily cost down. Money and costs
- Use reef-safe sunscreen and keep off the coral
Lagoon reefs are easily damaged. Do not stand on coral, do not feed fish, and follow your guide's distance rules around rays, sharks and humpback whales.
French Polynesia travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Papeete, the market and a night before your island flight.
Read the guideMooreaA short ferry from Papeete, lagoon snorkeling and hiking.
Read the guideBora BoraThe lagoon, the motu and how to see it without an overwater bungalow.
Read the guideVisas and entryWhy Schengen rules do not apply and what to carry.
Read the guideMoney and costsCards, cash and a realistic daily budget in CFP francs.
Read the guideTop places to visit in French Polynesia
See all attractions in French Polynesia
Destinations in French Polynesia
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- CFPF 8,000
- Food
- CFPF 3,000
- Transport
- CFPF 1,000
- Sights
- Free
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- CFPF 15,000
- Food
- CFPF 7,000
- Transport
- CFPF 5,000
- Sights
- CFPF 8,000
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- CFPF 30,000
- Food
- CFPF 15,000
- Transport
- CFPF 15,000
- Sights
- CFPF 20,000
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain29 rainy daysHigh26°Low24°Wet, humidJanuaryRain
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 529 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, humid
- FebruaryRain27 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°WettestFebruaryRain
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 462 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- MarchRain28 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Wet, hotMarchRain
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 291 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, hot
- AprilRain28 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Showers easeAprilRain
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 303 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers ease
- MayRain24 rainy daysHigh26°Low24°Drier, warmMayRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 177 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, warm
- JuneRain23 rainy daysHigh25°Low23°Dry, mildJuneRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 229 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, mild
- JulyRain23 rainy daysHigh25°Low23°Heiva festivalJulyRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 201 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Heiva festival
- AugustRain21 rainy daysHigh24°Low22°Dry, whalesAugustRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 184 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, whales
- SeptemberRain24 rainy daysHigh25°Low22°Dry, whalesSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 226 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, whales
- OctoberRain25 rainy daysHigh25°Low23°Warm, drierOctoberRain
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 248 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, drier
- NovemberRain26 rainy daysHigh26°Low24°Wet season startsNovemberRain
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 325 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet season starts
- DecemberRain29 rainy daysHigh26°Low24°Wet, holidaysDecemberRain
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 438 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, holidays
Average daily high and low in Papeete, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in French Polynesia
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 25°
- Humidity
- 85%
- Wind
- 21 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 89%
French Polynesia
10:05 AM
Monday, November 2
- Today23°14°89%Monday: Rain. High 23°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 89%.
- Tue21°13°74%Tuesday: Rain. High 21°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 74%.
- Wed19°13°26%Wednesday: Rain. High 19°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 26%.
- Thu21°13°74%Thursday: Rain. High 21°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 74%.
- Fri21°14°79%Friday: Rain. High 21°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 79%.
- Sat23°14°75%Saturday: Rain. High 23°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 75%.
- Sun23°14°78%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 23°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 78%.
Updated 06:24 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 106.9 XPF
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
French Polynesia FAQ
Do I need a visa for French Polynesia?
Not for UK or Canadian passports, for stays up to 90 days. French Polynesia is not part of the Schengen area, so check the territory's own rules for other passports.
Is Tahiti the same as French Polynesia?
Tahiti is the largest island and home to Papeete and the international airport. French Polynesia is the whole territory, including Moorea, Bora Bora and the more remote Tuamotu and Marquesas islands.
How do I get from Tahiti to Bora Bora?
By domestic flight from Papeete, about 50 minutes. Bora Bora's airport is on a motu, so the resort or a public boat takes you across the lagoon to the main island.
When can you see humpback whales?
Humpbacks visit from about July to November, with the best odds from August to October around Moorea, Tahiti and Rurutu. Choose operators who follow the approach distance rules.
Is French Polynesia very expensive?
Yes, by most standards. Overwater bungalows drive the image, but pensions, ferries instead of flights where possible, and supermarket picnics make a trip more affordable.