The Islands of Tahiti – Everything You Need To Know

The Basics –

Tahiti, officially known as French Polynesia, lies south of the Equator and shares the same time zone as Hawaii. An 8-hour flight from both Los Angeles & San Francisco and 9 hours from Seattle, it spans an impressive 1.5 million square miles of the Pacific Ocean.

Geography –

Made up of 5 archipelagos, the Tahitian islands offer the experience of several continents in one destination!

From the low lying coral atolls of the Tuamotu Islands, to the mountainous islands surrounded by gorgeous blue lagoons of the Society, Gambier & Austral Islands, and the newer volcanic cliffs of the Marquesas Islands, there is truly spectacular scenery wherever you may find yourself.

Weather –

Featuring a tropical climate, the average temperature is 80°F, and Tahiti enjoys 3,000 hours of sunlight every year.

Experiencing only 2 seasons, Tahitian “winter” affords visitors with less humidity & rain, while summer brings warmer temperatures, greater humidity & increased rain chances. Any time of year, however, is a wonderful time to visit the Islands of Tahiti.

Summer is November – April

Winter is May – October

Photo Credit – Air Tahiti Nui

Getting There –

Direct flights are available from Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA) & Honolulu (HNL) via Air Tahiti Nui, United Airlines, Air France, French Bee & Hawaiian Airlines. Air Tahiti Nui runs daily flights from Los Angeles, while the other gateways & carriers offer staggered services throughout the week.

Photo Credit – Air Tahiti via Instagram

Getting Around

Getting around the islands of Tahiti is fairly straight forward, but can cause some headaches for inexperienced planners (which is why using a travel agent is so helpful!). Air Tahiti is serves 46 of the French Polynesian islands, with over 400 weekly flights, with the majority of flights connecting at some point in Papeete. It can be difficult to book direct flights to & from some of the smaller islands, so it is often necessary to stopover on another island. Typically, this is a quick delay and you’re on your way before you know it.

There is also the option of taking a ferry between Tahiti & Moorea. The 30 minute trip is a fun & convenient way to island hop. Advance purchase of tickets is recommended. There is also a ferry that sails from Tahiti to Bora Bora, with stops at the major islands in between. The 8 hour trip is quite an adventure, and is mostly utilized by locals, and not tourists.

Accommodations –

Although most famous for its iconic overwater bungalows, Tahiti & her Islands offer many types of accommodations to suit a range of styles & budgets. Some options inlcude:

  • Guesthouses, where you will find yourself living amongst locals
  • Vacation Rentals, where you may stay in an apartment, home or villa
  • Resorts, where your room options may include beach bungalows, garden villas, or overwater bungalows. Hotels & resorts range from 3 to 5 star, and offer accommodations from traditional, relaxed Polynesian style to typical Euro-American luxury properties. There truly is something for every traveler’s individual style & budget.
  • Cruise Ships, with options from mass market cruise lines, boutique ships, and the delightfully unique Aranui ships. The cruise lines offer the opportunity to visit multiple locations throughout the islands, while also including food, beverage, and activities in your fare. With multiple options, Tahitian cruises are a good option for a wide range of travelers. I’m a big fan of the smaller cruise lines, especially for French Polynesia. They give their guests a more intimate experience, and leave less of a negative environmental impact on the islands delicate ecosystems.

Cuisine –

The food is heavily influenced by Polynesian, French & Chinese cultures, and emphasizes utilizing fresh tropical produce, and the products of the Islands’ most popular activity, fishing. One of the most popular tourist destinations on the island of Tahiti is the local food truck area. Known as “Roulottes,” every evening the permanently parked vendors open their doors to serve hungry tourists & locals alike. Of course, if you’re looking for a casual sit down restaurant, or a fancy 4-star dinner at a fine dining restaurant, those aren’t hard to find either.

Currency –

  • The local currency is the Pacific Franc, CFP or XPF.
  • $1USD is approximately 100 XPF.
  • When you are in Tahiti, the trick to convert to USD is to remove the last two zeros from the amount – for example, an $8000 XPF pearl necklace is $80 USD.
  • Credit cards are widely accepted in the most populated islands, and travelers checks can be used but are not accepted everywhere. High fees apply in banks and resorts to change them, so bring them if you insist, but it is not highly recommended.
  • US dollars are accepted in most stores but the exchange rate is not beneficial to you. Currency exchange services are available from banks and most resorts, though fees apply, and can be hefty.
  • ATMs are available at the Faa’a International Airport as well as banks in Papeete and the most populated islands and areas.
  • I always recommend that clients travel with a bit of cash as a precaution, and exchanging USD for CFP before you travel is always a good idea. Especially because you will typically get a slightly better exchange rate from your bank than you will in Tahiti, or when paying local vendors using USD.
  • Tipping is not standard or expected, although it is up to your discretion. Some hotels & restaurants may include a service charge to the final bill. If you experience exceptional service, a tip is a great way to show your appreciation.

Entry Requirements –

US visitors are not required to have a visa for stays of less than 90 days.

Your passport should have 3 months of validity on it, based on your return date.

Currently, there are no specific Covid related requirements for visitors. For the most current entry information, visit Tahiti Tourisme.