Best time to visit · Tahiti · French Polynesia
The best time to visit Tahiti
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Teahupo'o, Tahiti · Photo: Saga70, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best time to visit Tahiti is May to October, the drier season with lower humidity, steady trade winds and clear skies. July and August are the busiest and priciest months, while April and November are shoulder months with good value and mixed weather. The November–April wet season is hotter and rainier, with a small cyclone risk.
Key facts
- Best months
- May–October
- Shoulder season
- April and November
- Warmest month
- January (avg high 31°C (88°F))
- Coldest month
- July (avg high 28°C (82°F))
- Rainiest month
- January (~16 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- February–March
Plan a trip to Tahiti
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Seasons
Tahiti is hot and humid all year, with a warm, wetter season from November to April and a slightly cooler, drier season from May to October. Cyclones are uncommon in the Society Islands but possible in the wet season.
May–October
Dry season
Sunny, breezy and less humid with highs around 28–30°C; the best weather for hiking, diving and boat trips, and the busiest time.
November–December
Early wet season
Showers become more frequent and humidity rises; holiday flights are busy around Christmas.
January–March
Peak wet season
Hot and humid with heavy downpours and thunderstorms; waterfalls are full and prices are lower, but cyclones are possible.
April
Transition
Rain eases and the sea is at its warmest; a good month for value before the dry-season rush.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°C 88°F | 23°C 73°F | 16 | 28°C 82°F | 13.1 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| February | 31°C 88°F | 23°C 73°F | 15 | 28°C 82°F | 12.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 31°C 88°F | 23°C 73°F | 14 | 29°C 84°F | 12.2 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 31°C 88°F | 23°C 73°F | 11 | 29°C 84°F | 11.7 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 30°C 86°F | 22°C 72°F | 9 | 28°C 82°F | 11.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 29°C 84°F | 21°C 70°F | 7 | 27°C 81°F | 11.1 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 28°C 82°F | 20°C 68°F | 6 | 26°C 79°F | 11.2 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August | 28°C 82°F | 20°C 68°F | 6 | 26°C 79°F | 11.5 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| September | 29°C 84°F | 21°C 70°F | 6 | 26°C 79°F | 12 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 29°C 84°F | 22°C 72°F | 9 | 27°C 81°F | 12.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 30°C 86°F | 22°C 72°F | 12 | 27°C 81°F | 13 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 30°C 86°F | 23°C 73°F | 15 | 28°C 82°F | 13.2 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Chinese New Year celebrations in Papeete (January or February) |
| March | Arrival of the Gospel public holiday (5 March) |
| June | Autonomy Day public holiday (29 June) |
| July | Heiva i Tahiti — dance, song and traditional sports festival (usually July) |
| August | Pro surfing competition at Teahupo'o (most years, usually August) |
| November | Matari'i i ni'a — celebration of the Pleiades rising and the season of abundance (around 20 November); Hawaiki Nui Va'a outrigger canoe race between the Leeward Islands (usually October or November) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in February–March, and the sights are quietest in February–March.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Dry season | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Early wet season | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Peak wet season | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Transition | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Tahiti?
May–October are the best months. Of those, May is usually both the least crowded and the warmest, with highs around 30°C (86°F).
+When are hotel prices lowest in Tahiti?
Usually in February–March. Hot and wet with lower prices; rivers and waterfalls are at their fullest.
+What is the rainiest month in Tahiti?
January, with about 16 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Tahiti get?
The warmest month, January, averages highs of 31°C (88°F) and lows of 23°C (73°F).