When to go to French Polynesia?

With a tropical climate, Polynesia enjoys plenty of sunshine throughout the year. Polynesia has two seasons: The rainy season from November to April with high temperatures and frequent rain that falls in the form of heavy showers; and the dry season, for the rest of the year. The dry season is characterised by light rains and pleasant temperatures between 71°F to over 86°F for the months of May to October.


The rainy season known as the austral summer lasts from November to April. During this period, the atmosphere can sometimes be difficult to tolerate, with its high temperatures and frequent humidity. During the day, the sun is often out but intense and short bursts of rain can be triggered. December and January are the two rainiest months of the year. As for the temperature, expect between 87°F and 89°F during the day. The thermometer will drop to 75°F at night.
From April to October, it is the dry season or southern winter with constant sun, slightly warmer temperatures and increasingly scarce rain. During the day in Papeete, temperatures reach 86°F and 71°F at night. This is the time we recommend for a trip to Polynesia as there is very little rain and the atmosphere is more breathable than during the austral summer.
Being so vast, with different archipelagos spread across different latitudes, the territories of Polynesia can have their own specific climatic conditions. The ideal time to go to the Society Islands and the Tuamotu Archipelago is between April and October, during the dry season, because the temperatures are above 86°F and the water between 78°F and 84°F. It is also a good time for diving and boating excursions, as well as observing the whale mating season. The Marquesas Islands are characterised by a drier climate than on the other islands. Finally, on the Gambier and Austral Islands (the southernmost archipelagos) the temperatures are cooler, the rains more frequent and the winds more violent.

To fully enjoy the sun, the idyllic beaches and the beautiful seabed of French Polynesia , opt for the period between April and October to visit the archipelago, with a preference for the months of July to September. During these months, the temperature is perfect on all the islands and the temperature of the water ideal for swimming. Avoid the months of November to February, because of the hot weather and the omnipresent humidity.

when to go infographic  French Polynesia
Climate infrographic - Thetraveler.net ©

Temperatures Papeete

Jan Feb March April May June Jul August Sept Oct nov. dec.
Min temperature75°75°75°75°73°71°71°69°71°73°73°75°
Max temperature87°87°89°89°87°86°84°84°86°86°87°87°
Sea temperature82°82°84°84°82°80°80°78°78°80°82°82°

Sunshine

Rainfall Papeete


Weather Papeete

légende météo

Check the weather history over the last 5 years: Weather history


The weather month by month in French Polynesia

Weather Papeete in January

75 to 87°
Sea: 82 °

13 d/month
10 d/month
6 d/month
2 d/month

In January, in Papeete, Minimum temperatures vary between 24 in the morning and 31 in the afternoon. Températures are really hot. The average rainfall is around 227 inches, for 8 days without rain.

Check the weather over the last 5 years for the dates of your stay
Weather history day by day

Weather Papeete in February

75 to 87°
Sea: 82 °

12 d/month
7 d/month
6 d/month
3 d/month

In February, in Papeete, Minimum temperatures vary between 24 in the morning and 31 in the afternoon. Températures are really hot. The average rainfall is around 196 inches, for 12 days without rain.

Check the weather over the last 5 years for the dates of your stay
Weather history day by day

Weather Papeete in March

75 to 89°
Sea: 84 °

11 d/month
8 d/month
7 d/month
4 d/month
1 day

In March, in Papeete, Minimum temperatures vary between 24 in the morning and 32 in the afternoon. Températures are really hot. The average rainfall is around 135 inches, for 13 days without rain.

Check the weather over the last 5 years for the dates of your stay
Weather history day by day

Weather Papeete in April

75 to 89°
Sea: 84 °

12 d/month
8 d/month
6 d/month
4 d/month

In April, in Papeete, Minimum temperatures vary between 24 in the morning and 32 in the afternoon. Températures are really hot. The average rainfall is around 85 inches, for 13 days without rain.

Check the weather over the last 5 years for the dates of your stay
Weather history day by day

Weather Papeete in May

73 to 87°
Sea: 82 °

11 d/month
10 d/month
5 d/month
3 d/month
2 d/month

In May, in Papeete, Minimum temperatures vary between 23 in the morning and 31 in the afternoon. Températures are really hot. The average rainfall is around 106 inches, for 17 days without rain.

Check the weather over the last 5 years for the dates of your stay
Weather history day by day

Weather Papeete in June

71 to 86°
Sea: 80 °

11 d/month
10 d/month
5 d/month
2 d/month
2 d/month

In June, in Papeete, Minimum temperatures vary between 22 in the morning and 30 in the afternoon. The average rainfall is around 69 inches, for 19 days without rain.

Check the weather over the last 5 years for the dates of your stay
Weather history day by day

Weather Papeete in July

71 to 84°
Sea: 80 °

14 d/month
10 d/month
5 d/month
1 day
1 day

In July, in Papeete, Minimum temperatures vary between 22 in the morning and 29 in the afternoon. Temperatures are hot. The average rainfall is around 42 inches, for 20 days without rain.

Check the weather over the last 5 years for the dates of your stay
Weather history day by day

Weather Papeete in August

69 to 84°
Sea: 78 °

11 d/month
11 d/month
5 d/month
2 d/month
2 d/month

In August, in Papeete, Minimum temperatures vary between 21 in the morning and 29 in the afternoon. Temperatures are hot. The average rainfall is around 48 inches, for 18 days without rain.

Check the weather over the last 5 years for the dates of your stay
Weather history day by day

Weather Papeete in September

71 to 86°
Sea: 78 °

14 d/month
8 d/month
3 d/month
3 d/month
2 d/month

In September, in Papeete, Minimum temperatures vary between 22 in the morning and 30 in the afternoon. The average rainfall is around 37 inches, for 21 days without rain.

Check the weather over the last 5 years for the dates of your stay
Weather history day by day

Weather Papeete in October

73 to 86°
Sea: 80 °

12 d/month
12 d/month
3 d/month
2 d/month
2 d/month

In October, in Papeete, Minimum temperatures vary between 23 in the morning and 30 in the afternoon. The average rainfall is around 102 inches, for 17 days without rain.

Check the weather over the last 5 years for the dates of your stay
Weather history day by day

Weather Papeete in November

73 to 87°
Sea: 82 °

13 d/month
9 d/month
4 d/month
2 d/month
2 d/month

In November, in Papeete, Minimum temperatures vary between 23 in the morning and 31 in the afternoon. Températures are really hot. The average rainfall is around 102 inches, for 14 days without rain.

Check the weather over the last 5 years for the dates of your stay
Weather history day by day

Weather Papeete in December

75 to 87°
Sea: 82 °

16 d/month
8 d/month
6 d/month
1 day

In December, in Papeete, Minimum temperatures vary between 24 in the morning and 31 in the afternoon. Températures are really hot. The average rainfall is around 267 inches, for 7 days without rain.

Check the weather over the last 5 years for the dates of your stay
Weather history day by day