French Polynesia Travel Guide

French Polynesia consists of 118 islands spread over 6,400 square kilometers of the South Pacific Ocean. With stunning beaches, diverse marine life, lush landscape and volcanic peaks, it is the ultimate destination for a tropical island escape. Read this French Polynesia Travel Guide for tips to plan your trip.

Travel Tips for French Polynesia

Language

French is the official language of French Polynesia. Locals also speak Tahitian. Learn some basic French before you go! Outside of the larger islands, many locals speak little or no English.

Currency

The local currency is the French Pacific Franc. While credit cards are generally accepted, you’ll likely need cash at some point. ATMs are scarce, so your best bet is to get money at the ATM at the airport.

Best Time to Visit

June to August is considered the best time to visit, but May and September are also great options with warm weather and abundant sun. I visited in mid-September and the weather was perfect. Rainstorms are common from November to April.

Flights

International flights arrive in Tahiti (PPT). From there, you’ll take Air Tahiti to fly to the other islands. Air Tahiti has luggage restrictions: the carry-on weight maximum is 5 kg and only one piece of luggage may be checked, up to 50kg.

Top Islands to Visit

Moorea

Rangiroa

Fakarava

Tahiti

Top Things to Do

1. Go Diving. The diving in Rangiroa and Fakarava was the best I’ve done to date. Diving in French Polynesia offers diverse marine life, (including close encounters with dolphins, sharks, mantas, and more!), healthy and colorful coral reef, and excellent visibility.

2. Go Whale Watching. Humpback whales are in Moorea from July to November. You can even swim with the whales on certain tours like this one.

3. Go Hiking. Moorea has several great hikes to choose from, with both easy and more difficult options. Check out Magic Mountain and Col Des Trois.

4. Relax and Enjoy the View. This place is a tropical paradise.

5. Enjoy fresh and local food. Make sure you try poisson cru, a traditional polynesian dish.

Tiger, Reef, Lemon sharks in Tiger Beach, Bahamas

Scuba Diving with Sharks

March 14, 2023 No Comments

Scuba Diving with Sharks Looking for the best place to go scuba diving with sharks?…