When is the best time to visit French Polynesia?

Visiting French Polynesia in May

The humidity begins to drop and rainfall starts to ease, but prices remain low and the islands maintain an overall quieter feel — for this reason this is often seen as a great time to visit French Polynesia.

Events & Festivals

• In May, the Papenoo region of Tahiti holds the Matari'i Raro, also known as the Pleiades Festival, which marks the end of the harvest period, the beginning of the austral winter and the dry season.

Visiting French Polynesia in June - August

French Polynesia has many of its own festivals to celebrate, such as Heiva i Bora Bora in July; an annual singing, dancing and sports competition. The season's balmy weather, combined with the traditional holiday period make this the most popular time to travel, but this means that hotels can fill up months in advance as both foreign visitors and locals flock to the smaller islands.

Events & Festivals

• Heiva i Bora Bora takes place in July and is held in Vaitape on Bora Bora. This annual festival incorporates singing, dancing and a traditional sports competition.
• Designed as an interactive event between visitors, sailors and residents, the Tahiti Moorea Sailing Rendez-Vous takes place over three days in July. The first day is in Tahiti with welcoming events, the second is a sailing rally and the last day is held on Tahiti’s sister island Moorea, where a variety of Polynesian-style competitions take place.

Visiting French Polynesia in September - October

Humidity begins to creep up as September and October progress, but the climate overall remains pleasant and the islands are quieter. Late September marks the spring equinox, when the sun’s rays hit the islands' lagoons at just the right angle, bringing out the vivid turquoise hues of the classic French Polynesian landscape.

Events & Festivals

• The HMS Bounty dropped anchor in October 1789 in Matavai Bay, Tahiti. The ship was on a mission to collect young bread fruit trees for the British Empire, but the operation was never completed following a crew mutiny and destruction of the ship. Every October, this epic event is re-interpreted and a replica of the Bounty is built.

Visiting French Polynesia in November - December

November to April is French Polynesia's wet season, with concentrated bursts of rainfall punctuated by days of sunshine. At this time hotel air-conditioning becomes a necessity as humidity rises. However, it is possible to use French Polynesia's geography to your advantage; the Marquesas are closer to the Equator and are far enough north to benefit from the trade winds that temper the climate.