The essentials
When to go to French Polynesia, in brief
May to October: the ideal window
Dry season, cooling trade winds, 70-84°F depending on the month, calmer seas for ferries and inter-island flights. The best window across all the islands.
July to November: humpback whales
Whales come to give birth in the warm waters of Moorea and Rurutu (Australs). Peak sightings in August-September, guided tours mandatory.
Society, Tuamotu, Marquesas, Australs: 4 different calendars
The flat, mountain-free Tuamotus get less rain than Tahiti or Moorea. The Marquesas follow a reversed calendar (hot season January-August). The Australs are the coolest, sometimes dropping below 77°F.
November to April: the hot, wet season
More frequent showers, peaking in December-January. Still workable, especially in November and April, with softer hotel rates.
Heiva i Tahiti, the cultural highlight
Every July, Papeete hosts traditional 'ori tahiti dance and singing competitions. The biggest Polynesian cultural event of the year.
Book early in high season
July-August (holidays + Heiva) and the year-end holidays concentrate demand on inter-island flights and Bora Bora lodging. Book 2-3 months ahead.
The verdict
The best periods
May - October
Dry season across the whole territory. Cooling trade winds, calm seas, and from July to October the chance to add humpback whales.
April & November
Transition months: still a few showers but softer rates and fewer crowds than peak dry season.
December - January
Peak of the hot, wet season. Frequent and sometimes intense showers. The official cyclone season (November-April) rarely brings a direct hit, but inter-island connections can be disrupted.
Month by month
The full calendar
Tap a month for the detailed guide: weather by region, where to go, festivals.
75-88°F
Peak rainfall
75-88°F
Hot and humid
75-88°F
Rain easing off
73-86°F
Transition to dry
72-84°F
Dry season begins
70-82°F
Dry, trade winds
70-82°F
Dry + Heiva + whales
70-82°F
Dry, high season
70-82°F
Dry, whale peak
72-84°F
Dry season ends
73-86°F
Transition to rain
75-88°F
Rain increasing
Climate
Climate by region
| Region | Dry season | Wet season | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Society (Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora) | May-Oct: 70-84°F, dry | Nov-April: frequent showers, peak Dec-Jan | Ideal May-October |
| Tuamotus (Rangiroa, Fakarava) | Warm year-round, flat atolls | Moderate rainfall, drier than the Society Islands | Good year-round |
| Marquesas (Nuku Hiva) | Warm year-round, reversed calendar | Hot, wet season Jan-Aug; cooler season Sept-Dec | Ideal September-December |
| Australs (Rurutu, Tubuai) | Coolest archipelago, sometimes below 77°F | Rainfall spread year-round | July-October for whales |
Calendar
The key events of the year
Heiva i Tahiti
Traditional 'ori tahiti dance and singing competitions on the To'ata square in Papeete. The biggest Polynesian cultural event of the year.
🇵🇫 Papeete, Tahiti
Humpback whale season
Whales come to give birth in the warm waters of Moorea and Rurutu. Guided watching and swimming tours are mandatory.
🇵🇫 Moorea, Rurutu (Australs)
Hawaiki Nui Va'a
A 3-day traditional outrigger canoe race between Huahine, Raiatea, Taha'a and Bora Bora. One of the territory's most followed sporting events.
🇵🇫 Leeward Islands
New Year's Eve
Fireworks along Papeete's waterfront, right in the middle of the hot, wet season.
🇵🇫 Papeete
Our analysis
French Polynesia comes down to a fairly simple rule: aim for the dry season, May to October. But the territory is so vast, spread across five archipelagos, that the calendar shifts noticeably from one island to the next.
The dry season, May to October
This is the prime window across the Society Islands (Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora) and the Tuamotus. Trade winds cool the air, rain becomes scarce, and the sea stays calm for ferries and inter-island flights. Temperatures range from 70 to 84°F depending on the month, with the coolest point in July-August. It’s also when the Heiva i Tahiti (July) and peak tourist season overlap: best to book flights and lodging two to three months ahead.
July to November: whale season
From July to November, humpback whales migrate to the warm waters of Moorea and Rurutu (Australs) to breed and give birth. Peak sightings fall in August-September. Guided swim tours are strictly regulated (limited groups, safety distance), and it’s worth booking from France if a specific date matters.
The trap of the hot, wet season
From November onward, showers become more frequent again, peaking in December-January. The trip remains entirely possible, especially in November when the transition is still gentle, but expect a more changeable sky and an official cyclone season that runs through April (direct impacts remain rare, but check Météo France Polynésie bulletins before departing between November and March).
A nuance by archipelago
The Society Islands’ seasonal calendar doesn’t apply everywhere. The Tuamotus, flat atolls with no relief, get noticeably less rain: they remain a good option almost year-round. The Marquesas follow a reversed calendar, with their hot, wet season from January to August and their most pleasant window from September to December. The Australs, finally, are French Polynesia’s coolest archipelago, with temperatures that can drop below 77°F in the dry season, an almost temperate climate that happens to make it the best whale-watching base.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What's the best time to visit French Polynesia? +
May to October: dry season, cooling trade winds, 70-84°F depending on the month, and calm seas for inter-island transfers. It's the ideal window across the islands.
When can you see humpback whales in French Polynesia? +
From July to November, peaking in August-September. Moorea (Society Islands) and Rurutu (Australs) are the two best spots, with mandatory guided tours.
What's the worst time to visit French Polynesia? +
December and January mark the peak of the hot, wet season, with the most frequent showers. The trip remains possible but less comfortable, and the official cyclone season (November-April) adds some uncertainty for inter-island connections.
Is the climate the same on every island? +
No. The flat Tuamotu atolls get less rain than Tahiti or Moorea. The Marquesas follow a reversed calendar, with their hottest, wettest season from January to August. The Australs are noticeably cooler, sometimes dropping below 77°F, which is exactly why they're the best base for whale watching.
When is Heiva i Tahiti in 2026? +
From July 2 to 18, 2026 on the To'ata square in Papeete, with the main performance evenings on weekends. It's the largest Polynesian cultural gathering of the year.
Should I book far in advance? +
Yes for high season (July-August and the year-end holidays): book inter-island flights and Bora Bora lodging two to three months ahead, as capacity on the smaller islands is limited.
Marie Laurent · Southeast Asia specialist
Updated June 30, 2026
Go further
Plan your trip to French Polynesia
Itineraries