Comparison · Maldives vs Tahiti · Maldives / French Polynesia
Maldives vs Tahiti
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Alexey Potov - Noblige, CC BY-SA 2.5
Quick answer
Choose Maldives for overwater villas and house-reef snorkelling; choose Tahiti for black-sand beaches, poisson cru, free sights and a short break. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 15,109 km (9,388 mi) apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 15,109 km (9,388 mi)
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Maldives
- December–April
- Best time for Tahiti
- May–October
Plan either trip
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Side by side
| Maldives | Tahiti | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Maldives | French Polynesia |
| Known for | Overwater villas, House-reef snorkelling and Manta rays | Black-sand beaches, Poisson cru and Teahupo'o surf |
| Best time to visit | December–April | May–October |
| Ideal stay | 7 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | US$250–500 | US$250–450 |
| Cost level | Very expensive | Very expensive |
| Warmest month | April, 32°C (90°F) | January, 31°C (88°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 30°C (86°F) | July, 28°C (82°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 3 | 9 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 4 |
| Beaches | Hulhumalé beach | Plage de Vaiava (PK 18) |
| Airports | MLE, GAN, DRV, VAM, KDO | PPT, MOZ |
Month by month
Going by our guides' own ratings, the better pick is Maldives in December–April, and Tahiti in May–October.
| Month | Maldives | Tahiti | Better pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°C (86°F), 6 rainy days · best time | 31°C (88°F), 16 rainy days | Maldives |
| February | 30°C (86°F), 3 rainy days · best time | 31°C (88°F), 15 rainy days | Maldives |
| March | 31°C (88°F), 5 rainy days · best time | 31°C (88°F), 14 rainy days | Maldives |
| April | 32°C (90°F), 9 rainy days · best time | 31°C (88°F), 11 rainy days · shoulder season | Maldives |
| May | 31°C (88°F), 15 rainy days · shoulder season | 30°C (86°F), 9 rainy days · best time | Tahiti |
| June | 31°C (88°F), 13 rainy days · shoulder season | 29°C (84°F), 7 rainy days · best time | Tahiti |
| July | 30°C (86°F), 13 rainy days | 28°C (82°F), 6 rainy days · best time | Tahiti |
| August | 30°C (86°F), 13 rainy days | 28°C (82°F), 6 rainy days · best time | Tahiti |
| September | 30°C (86°F), 15 rainy days | 29°C (84°F), 6 rainy days · best time | Tahiti |
| October | 30°C (86°F), 15 rainy days · shoulder season | 29°C (84°F), 9 rainy days · best time | Tahiti |
| November | 30°C (86°F), 13 rainy days · shoulder season | 30°C (86°F), 12 rainy days · shoulder season | Either: shoulder season |
| December | 30°C (86°F), 12 rainy days · best time | 30°C (86°F), 15 rainy days | Maldives |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Maldives for…
Overwater villas and house-reef snorkelling. The Maldives is a chain of about 1,190 low coral islands grouped into 26 natural atolls that stretch across the equator in the Indian Ocean. Almost every visitor lands at Velana International Airport beside the capital, Malé, then continues by speedboat to…
Choose Tahiti for…
Black-sand beaches, poisson cru, free sights and a short break. Tahiti is the largest island of French Polynesia, a figure-of-eight of two volcanic peninsulas joined at the Taravao isthmus. Most visitors pass through Papeete on the way to Moorea or Bora Bora, but the island itself rewards a few days: food trucks on the…
Top sights compared
| # | Maldives | Tahiti |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hanifaru Bay manta rays | Marché de Papeete |
| 2 | Whale sharks in South Ari Atoll | Roulottes at Place Vaiete |
| 3 | Banana Reef | Musée de Tahiti et des Îles |
| 4 | Maaya Thila and Fish Head | Point Venus |
| 5 | Lankan Manta Point | Teahupo'o |
Food compared
| Maldives | Tahiti |
|---|---|
| Mas huni | Poisson cru |
| Garudhiya | Chao men |
| Mas riha | Ma'a Tahiti |
| Roshi | Po'e |
Which is cheaper?
Maldives and Tahiti cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly US$250–500 in Maldives and US$250–450 in Tahiti (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Tahiti on a budget.
Maldives or Tahiti from the U.S.
Worked out from time zones and airport coordinates: straight-line distances, not flight routes.
| Maldives | Tahiti | |
|---|---|---|
| Time vs New York | +10 h Jan, +9 h Jul | −5 h Jan, −6 h Jul |
| Time vs Los Angeles | +13 h Jan, +12 h Jul | −2 h Jan, −3 h Jul |
| From New York (JFK) | 8,710 mi (14,020 km) | 6,290 mi (10,120 km) |
| From Los Angeles (LAX) | 9,690 mi (15,600 km) | 4,110 mi (6,610 km) |
| U.S. plugs | Adapter needed | Adapter needed |
From New York, Tahiti is about 2,420 miles (3,900 km) closer than Maldives in a straight line. Tahiti is also the smaller time change: 5 hours from New York in January, against 10 for Maldives.
Can you visit both?
They are about 15,109 km (9,388 mi) apart, so combining them means a flight. With 11 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Maldives or Tahiti cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about US$250–500 in Maldives and US$250–450 in Tahiti (estimates).
+Is Maldives or Tahiti better for a first trip?
Pick Maldives for overwater villas and house-reef snorkelling, or Tahiti for black-sand beaches, poisson cru, free sights and a short break.
+How far is Maldives from Tahiti?
About 15,109 km (9,388 mi) in a straight line.