Located in the South Pacific Ocean, French Polynesia enjoys a tropical climate, characterized by two seasons, dry and wet.
With five large archipelagos distributed at different latitudes, the Polynesian territories have specific climatic conditions.
In the Society Islands and the Tuamotu Archipelago, the dry season takes place between April and October, with temperatures around 28°C.
The Marquesas Islands are characterized by a drier climate, while the temperatures are cooler, the rains more frequent and the winds more violent in the Gambier and Austral Islands.
Essential period to discover its archipelagos;
during the traditional Heiva Festival, celebrating Polynesian culture in all its glory, usually in July.
To discover
Polynesia partner cruise |
21 days |
Paradise archipelago in the heart of the Pacific
Trips to Polynesia: tours, hotels and tailor-made stays from our partners
Read alsoHoneymoon: ten dream hotels for a honeymoon in Polynesia
When to go to Tahiti, Bora Bora and the Society Islands?
Island of the Society Archipelago, Moorea is a paradise for divers.
Marc Pelissier
The dry season, from April to October, is the best time to venture to the Society Islands, which are divided into the
Windward
and Leeward
Islands.
Tahiti, the largest of the islands in the archipelago, is home to the capital Papeete, where the average temperature is 25°C during the austral winter.
You can get an idea of Polynesian history and culture by visiting the museum of Tahiti and its islands, that of the Pearl, of Paul Gauguin and the house of James Norman Hall, one of the authors of the book
Les Révoltés of the Bounty
.
Do not miss strolling between the colorful and fragrant stalls of the Papeete market!
Wrapped in a kaleidoscope of tropical colors and surrounded by idyllic islets, Bora Bora is a real paradise for travelers looking for relaxation on dream beaches, caressed by a lagoon with turquoise waters whose temperature oscillates between 26°C and 29°C throughout the year.
Moorea offers a wide choice of activities: scuba diving, whale watching (between July and November), but also trekking and hiking inland between volcanic peaks and pineapple plantations.
Surrounded by the same ring of coral, Raiatea and Taha'a share the same lagoon.
Raiatea, the largest of the Leeward Islands, is the sacred island of the Polynesians.
It is dominated by Mount Temehani, where the tiare grows, the flower symbol of French Polynesia.
Taha'a,
due to its many plantations, has magnificent white sand beaches and a lagoon dotted with
motus
.
SEE ALSO
- Bora-Bora in French Polynesia.
When is the best time to go to Rangiroa and the Tuamotu Archipelago?
Fakarava is one of the many atolls that form the Tuamotu Archipelago.
It is classified as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO.
Uwe
Rangiroa, Tikehau, Fakarava, Manihi and many other atolls form the Tuamotu Archipelago, whose islands experience slightly higher temperatures and less rainfall than those of the Society.
The second largest coral atoll on the planet, Rangiroa attracts scuba diving enthusiasts from all over the world, who come to discover the famous Tiputa pass where many species of sharks and rays are observed at various times of the year, both during the dry season and during the austral summer.
Read alsoDiving in paradise in Fakarava, authentic Polynesia
When is the best time to go to the Marquesas Islands?
The Marquesas Islands, 1,400 km northeast of Tahiti, have an annual rainfall rate lower than the average of the other Polynesian islands.
The period from August to November, when the temperature is around 26°C, is ideal for discovering the Marquesan landscapes where volcanic mountains covered with dense vegetation, steep cliffs, narrow bays and black sand beaches mingle.
These islands are the cradle of Polynesian culture and the Marquesans treasure their ancestral traditions, such as songs, dances and the ritual art of tattooing.
The main islands are Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa, where Jacques Brel and Paul Gauguin lived, both buried in the small cemetery of Atuona.
Read alsoIn the Marquesas, the original land of the Haka
When is the best time to go to the Austral and Gambier Islands?
You can observe humpback whales off the island of Rurutu between April and October.
damedias
Located further south, the Austral and Gambier Islands have a cooler climate than the rest of the Polynesian archipelago, with average temperatures of 21°C during the austral winter.
The level of precipitation is also higher there.
The dry season, from April to October, is the best time to visit, especially on the island of Rurutu off which hundreds of humpback whales congregate each year between July and October.
