Tahiti
Tahiti is the largest island of French Polynesia, home to the capital Papeʻete, the black-sand beaches of Pointe Vénus and the surf break at Teahupoʻo.
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Tahiti is the largest and most populous island of French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the central South Pacific. Papeʻete, on the northwest coast, is the territory's capital and hosts its main political institutions. Faʻaʻā International Airport, about 5 km from Papeʻete, is the only international airport in French Polynesia and the main entry point for visitors. Most residents live in a narrow strip along the coast, while the mountainous interior is almost uninhabited.
The island has two round parts joined by the Taravao isthmus: Tahiti Nui to the northwest and the Tahiti Iti peninsula to the southeast. The southeastern half of Tahiti Iti can only be reached by boat or on foot. A coastal ring road circles Tahiti Nui, and traffic jams are frequent on the west coast around Papeʻete, so allow extra time. The dry season runs from May to October and the wet season from November to April. Moʻorea, about 15 km west, is 30 to 45 minutes from Papeʻete by ferry.
Tahiti in five
- Go to the Papeete market earlyThe central market is busiest in the morning, with fruit, flowers, pareos and snacks. Many stalls close early on Sundays.
- Rent a car for the island loopA road circles Tahiti Nui, past black-sand beaches, blowholes and waterfalls. Buses run but are infrequent outside the Papeete area.
- Book inter-island flights earlyFlights to Bora Bora and the outer islands fill in the dry season and holidays. Check baggage limits, which can be lower than on the international leg.
- Time a visit for HeivaHeiva i Tahiti brings dance and music competitions to Papeete in the dry season, usually around July. Rooms and inter-island seats book up early, so confirm the dates before you book.
Things to do in Tahiti
See all attractions in Tahiti
Need to know
- Airport
- Faa'a International (PPT), about 15 min to Papeete
- Getting there
- Flights from Los Angeles, Paris, Auckland and Tokyo
- Getting around
- Rental cars, taxis and buses near Papeete
- Best base
- Papeete or near the airport for onward travel
- Time needed
- 1–2 days before the other islands
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain29 rainy daysHigh26°Low24°Hot, wetJanuaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 529 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, wet
- FebruaryRain27 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Hot, wetFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 462 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, wet
- MarchRain28 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Hot, humidMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 291 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- AprilRain28 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Rain easingAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 303 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain easing
- MayRain24 rainy daysHigh26°Low24°DrierMayRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 177 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
- JuneRain23 rainy daysHigh25°Low23°Dry, trade windsJuneRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 229 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, trade winds
- JulyRain23 rainy daysHigh25°Low23°Dry, HeivaJulyRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 201 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, Heiva
- 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, whalesOctoberRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 248 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, whales
- NovemberRain26 rainy daysHigh26°Low24°WetterNovemberRain
Good
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 325 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wetter
- DecemberRain29 rainy daysHigh26°Low24°Hot, wetDecemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 438 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, wet
Average daily high and low in Papeete, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Tahiti
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
- 100%
Tahiti
10:06 AM
Monday, November 2
- Today28°19°100%Monday: Rain. High 28°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue23°18°100%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 23°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed23°18°100%Wednesday: Rain. High 23°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu26°18°92%Thursday: Rain. High 26°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Fri27°19°96%Friday: Rain. High 27°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Sat26°19°86%Saturday: Rain. High 26°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 86%.
Updated 07:01 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
Day trips by train
- Moʻorea by Aremiti ferryabout 30 min by ferryA short crossing from Papeʻete to Moʻorea, about 15 km west of Tahiti. The Aremiti ferries take about half an hour.
- Moʻorea by Moʻorea ferryabout 45 min by ferryA ferry from Papeʻete to Moʻorea. Use it if the Aremiti sailing does not fit your day.
- Moʻorea by airabout 7 min by planeThe quickest crossing, useful if you have little time.
Before you go to Tahiti
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Rules for Tahiti, checked
- Tahiti is outside the Schengen area, so check the entry rules for your passport on France-Visas before you book.Source
- Traffic jams are frequent on the west coast around Papeʻete. Road accidents are reported at three to four times the rate of metropolitan France, so drive carefully.
- Tahiti lies in a cyclone zone. Check the forecast with Météo-France before you travel between islands.
- Surfing at Teahupoʻo is dangerous and suits only experienced surfers, because the reef rises quickly from deep water to shallow water.
Plan around Tahiti
Islands, flights and the dry season
Read the guideMooreaFerry from Papeete, about 30 to 45 minutes
Read the guideBora BoraInter-island flight from Faa'a
Read the guideEntry rules for PolynesiaSort passport and arrival rules early
Read the guideMoney in PolynesiaPrices, cards and cash on the islands
Read the guideTahiti FAQ
Is Tahiti worth visiting or should I go straight to Bora Bora?
Give Tahiti a day or two for Papeete, the market and a drive round the island, especially if your flight arrives late. For beaches and lagoons, the other islands are better.
How do I get from Tahiti to Moorea?
Ferries leave the Papeete waterfront several times a day and take about 30–45 minutes. There are also short flights.
When is the best time to visit Tahiti?
May to October is the drier, less humid season. Humpback whales pass the islands from about July to October.
Is Papeete safe and walkable?
The waterfront and market area are fine on foot in daylight. After dark, take a taxi between restaurants and your room, and keep valuables out of sight in parked cars on the coast road.
How many days should I spend on Tahiti?
One or two. A morning at the market, a drive round Tahiti Nui for beaches and waterfalls, and a museum visit fill the time, and the better lagoons are on Moorea and Bora Bora.