Season guide · Tahiti · French Polynesia
Tahiti in the peak wet season
January–March: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Teahupo'o, Tahiti · Photo: Saga70, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Hot and humid with heavy downpours and thunderstorms; waterfalls are full and prices are lower, but cyclones are possible. Expect highs up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 23°C (73°F), with about 45 rainy days across January–March.
Key facts
- Months
- January–March
- Temperatures
- 23°C (73°F) to 31°C (88°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 45
- Sea
- 28°C (82°F) to 29°C (84°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
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Weather in the peak wet season
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°C (88°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 16 | 13.1 h | 3/5 |
| February | 31°C (88°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 15 | 12.7 h | 2/5 |
| March | 31°C (88°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 14 | 12.2 h | 2/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 31°C (88°F) against a yearly 30°C (86°F), and 45 of the year's roughly 126 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 2/5 and hotel prices 2/5 on average.
What's on in the peak wet season
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- January: Chinese New Year celebrations in Papeete (January or February)
- March: Arrival of the Gospel public holiday (5 March)
Good choices for the peak wet season
Museum · Punaauia
Musée de Tahiti et des Îles
Reopened after a major renovation, French Polynesia's main museum, also known as Te Fare Iamanaha, covers the geology, navigation, religion and daily life of the five archipelagos.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Day trips in the peak wet season
- Tahiti Iti and Teahupo'o (About 1 hour 15 minutes by car) — Drive to the end of the road at Teahupo'o to watch the surf break, then join a boat along the roadless Fenua Aihere coast to waterfalls, caves and petroglyph sites.
- Papenoo Valley 4x4 tour (Half a day with pick-up) — Tours climb the island's largest valley on a rough track past waterfalls, swimming holes and restored marae towards the Relais de la Maroto, deep in the island's interior.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is the peak wet season a good time to visit Tahiti?
It is a trade-off: Hot and humid with heavy downpours and thunderstorms; waterfalls are full and prices are lower, but cyclones are possible. The best months overall are May–October.
+What is the weather like in Tahiti in the peak wet season?
Highs of up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 23°C (73°F), with about 45 rainy days over the season.