Best time to go to French Polynesia for a perfect weather and where to go?
Lucie Lhortolat and Tony Samson last update: 16/04/2024When is the best time to go to French Polynesia?
A distant destination that makes sun-loving holidaymakers dream, French Polynesia is accessible all year round.
With its comfortable temperature throughout the seasons, the choice of the best time to visit French Polynesia depends on the frequency of rainfall, which varies from one archipelago to another. So, if you are wondering when to go to French Polynesia, you are in the right place! We will explain everything to you.
In summary:
- Prefer the period between May and October to visit Tahiti. If you go to Tahiti in July, you will have the opportunity to attend the Heiva i Tahiti festival, but expect a crowd of tourists.
- And if you have a soft spot for the Marquesas Islands, know that the best time to visit is during the dry season from July to December.
- The best time to explore all the archipelagos that make up French Polynesia is from July to October. You will have the opportunity to party in Tahiti, dive in Bora-Bora, and venture to the Marquesas Islands.
Discover more detailed information on the best time for French Polynesia below.
Where and when to go based on the weather?
Austral Islands
Tubuai, Rurutu, Raivavae...
Gambier Islands
Rikitea...
Leeward Islands
Bora-Bora, Huahine, Raiatea...
Marquesas Islands
Hiva Oa (Marquesas Islands), Nuku Hiva, Fatu Hiva...
Tuamotu Archipelago
Rangiroa, Fakarava, Tikehau...
Windward Islands
Tahiti, Moorea, Tetiaroa...
To get all the information about the climate and weather in French Polynesia for a specific month, click on the corresponding link below:
French Polynesia in january French Polynesia in february French Polynesia in march French Polynesia in april French Polynesia in may French Polynesia in june French Polynesia in july French Polynesia in august French Polynesia in september French Polynesia in october French Polynesia in november French Polynesia in december
Best time to travel to French Polynesia by cities
Climate and Weather in French Polynesia
Located off the coast of Australia, French Polynesia is a grouping of several archipelagos with very different climates that attract tourists from around the world.
There are two main seasons:
- The austral summer, from November to April, which is the wet season.
- The austral winter, from April to October, which is the dry season. During this period, showers are less frequent and much more passing.
Climate in Tahiti, French Polynesia
In Tahiti, the main island of French Polynesia, the weather benefits from a very mild tropical climate. Here, one enjoys the mildness of the trade winds, and temperatures vary very little throughout the year, offering weather that is neither too hot nor too cold, regardless of the season. The lack of seasonal contrast sometimes makes it easy to lose track of time.
Climate of the Society Islands
The climate of French Polynesia in the Society Islands is of an oceanic tropical type. As in most archipelagos in this region of the world, there are two seasons. The dry season, which is also the coldest, extends from May to October, while the hottest season, which is also the rainy season, extends from November to April. It is during this period that the most hurricanes occur. It is worth noting that on the coasts, such as on the island of Moorea, the rains are more intense, and one is more exposed to the trade winds.
Climate of the Tuamotu Islands
In the Tuamotu Islands, the weather is of a humid tropical type, and unlike Tahiti, the seasons are well defined. However, there is less rain in the Tuamotu Islands than in the Society Islands, mainly due to the absence of mountains in this archipelago.
Climate of the Marquesas Islands
Located very close to the Equator, the Marquesas Islands benefit from a hot subtropical climate, but also very humid. Here, like in Tahiti, the seasons are not very distinct, and the amount of precipitation depends heavily on the exposure to the prevailing winds. The hot season extends from January to August, and the cool season, also the driest, extends from September to December.
Climate of the Austral Islands
The climate on the Austral Islands, such as Tubuai, is the harshest in all of French Polynesia. Indeed, the weather in the cold season resembles that of temperate zones, while that of the hot season resembles tropical zones. Thus, throughout the year, the Austral Islands suffer from heavy precipitation and cooler temperatures, notably due to the presence of rather strong winds.
Climate of the Gambier Islands
The climate of the Gambier Islands is similar to that of the Austral Islands, with rather cool temperatures and rain falling all year round, regardless of the season.
Temperatures and rainfall in French Polynesia
On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of French Polynesia and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Tahiti, Bora-Bora, Hiva Oa (Marquesas Islands), Moorea and Rangiroa, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in French Polynesia
Find out when French Polynesia has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.
Tourist seasons in French Polynesia
The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, February, March, April, May, July, September, November and December. The number of visitors to French Polynesia is high in: June, August and October.
- Very low season in French Polynesia: January, February, March, May, September, November and December.
- Low season in French Polynesia: April and July.
- High season in French Polynesia: June and October.
- Peak season in French Polynesia: August.
Figure: Visitor index for French Polynesia month by month
Average price for flights to French Polynesia
A return flight between Los Angeles and Tahiti is generally cheaper if you go in february ($ 948 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 522 more for your airline ticket to Tahiti if you go in august.
Find the best price for your flight Flight prices to French Polynesia
Where to go in French Polynesia?
This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).
| Cities | jan. | feb. | mar. | apr. | may | jun. | jul. | aug. | sep. | oct. | nov. | dec. |
| Tahiti | 28°C | 28°C | 28°C | 28°C | 27°C | 26°C | 26°C | 25°C | 26°C | 26°C | 27°C | 28°C |
| Bora-Bora | 29°C | 29°C | 29°C | 29°C | 28°C | 28°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 28°C | 28°C |
| Hiva Oa (Marquesas Islands) | 28°C | 28°C | 28°C | 29°C | 28°C | 28°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 28°C |
| Moorea | 28°C | 28°C | 28°C | 28°C | 28°C | 27°C | 26°C | 26°C | 26°C | 26°C | 27°C | 28°C |
| Rangiroa | 29°C | 29°C | 29°C | 29°C | 29°C | 28°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 28°C | 29°C |
| Fakarava | 28°C | 29°C | 29°C | 29°C | 28°C | 28°C | 27°C | 26°C | 27°C | 27°C | 28°C | 28°C |
| Huahine | 29°C | 29°C | 29°C | 29°C | 28°C | 28°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 28°C | 28°C |
| Nuku Hiva | 28°C | 28°C | 29°C | 29°C | 28°C | 28°C | 28°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 28°C |
| Rikitea | 27°C | 28°C | 28°C | 27°C | 26°C | 25°C | 24°C | 23°C | 24°C | 24°C | 25°C | 26°C |
| Rurutu | 26°C | 27°C | 27°C | 26°C | 25°C | 24°C | 23°C | 23°C | 23°C | 23°C | 24°C | 26°C |
| Tubuai | 26°C | 27°C | 27°C | 26°C | 25°C | 24°C | 23°C | 23°C | 23°C | 23°C | 24°C | 26°C |
| Ahe | 29°C | 29°C | 29°C | 29°C | 28°C | 28°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 28°C | 28°C |
| Fatu Hiva | 28°C | 28°C | 28°C | 29°C | 28°C | 28°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 28°C |
| Makatea | 29°C | 29°C | 29°C | 29°C | 29°C | 28°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 28°C | 29°C |
| Manihi | 29°C | 29°C | 29°C | 29°C | 28°C | 28°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 28°C | 28°C |
| Maupiti | 29°C | 29°C | 29°C | 29°C | 28°C | 28°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 28°C | 28°C |
| Raiatea | 29°C | 29°C | 29°C | 29°C | 28°C | 28°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 28°C | 28°C |
| Raivavae | 26°C | 27°C | 27°C | 26°C | 25°C | 24°C | 23°C | 23°C | 23°C | 23°C | 24°C | 26°C |
| Rimatara | 26°C | 27°C | 27°C | 26°C | 25°C | 24°C | 23°C | 23°C | 23°C | 23°C | 24°C | 26°C |
| Tahaa | 29°C | 29°C | 29°C | 29°C | 28°C | 28°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 28°C | 28°C |
Legend:
good weather
tolerable weather
bad weather
very bad weather
About French Polynesia
What can I do in French Polynesia?
Beaches / swimming
Nature and countryside
Culture and heritage
Sports
Family travel
Crafts / shopping
Gastronomy
Nightlife
Is this weather information for French Polynesia reliable?
Climate data for French Polynesia has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for French Polynesia allows us to determine the average for each month in Tahiti, Bora-Bora, Hiva Oa (Marquesas Islands), Moorea, Rangiroa, Fakarava, Huahine, Nuku Hiva, and 16 other cities.
So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.