CLIMATE: WHEN TO GO TO FRENCH POLYNESIA: Climate: Situated between the equator and the Tropic of Capricorn, for around 2.5 million sq km of ocean, and on 5 main archipelagos, the climate of French Polynesia presents specific climatic peculiarities between the archipelagos that compose it. In general we can say that it has a hot and humid season from November to April, and a fresh and dry season from May to October.

Society Islands Climate: The climate of the Society Island, is tropical oceanic, with two distinct seasons: the fresh and dry season runs from May to October, during this period the average minimum temperatures range between 20°C and 22°C, while the average maximum temperatures are between 29°C and 28°C, this is the dry and better suited season to visit the archipelago. The warm and rainy season runs from November to April, during this period the average minimum temperatures range between 23°C and 22°C, while the highest average temperatures vary between 29°C and 31°C, this is the period of hurricanes. The rainiest months are December and January, the rains are most intense along the coastline exposed to the trade winds that usually blow from the north and north-west. 

The sea water surface temperature varies between 26°C and 29°C.

Society Islands, Tahiti (Papeete) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Rain (mm) 315 234 201 145 91 61 61 48 46 91 163 318 Min Temp (°C) 23 23 23 23 22 21 21 20 21 22 22 23 Max Temp (°C) 30 30 31 31 29 29 28 28 28 29 29 29 Length of day (hours on 15th of the month) 13.03 12.39 12.11 11.41 11.17 11.05 11.10 11.31 12.00 12.29 12.56 13.10 Sunrise (local time on 15th of the month) 5.36 5.52 6.01 6.07 6.16 6.26 6.29 6.17 5.53 5.29 5.15 5.19 Sunset (local time on 15th of the month) 18.39 18.32 18.12 17.49 17.33 17.31 17.40 17.49 17.53 17.59 18.11 18.29

 

Tahiti (Society Islands) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Sea Water Temperatures (°C) 27 27 27 28 28 27 26 26 26 26 27 27

 

Society Islands, Bora Bora (Vaitape) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Rain (mm) 300 220 200 140 150 130 90 80 80 150 220 300 Min Temp (°C) 24 24 24 24 24 23 22 22 23 23 23 24 Max Temp (°C) 30 30 30 30 30 29 28 28 28 29 29 29

Tuamotu Islands Climate: The climate of the archipelago of the Tuamotu islands is tropical-humid, with relatively well distinct seasons, very similar to that of the Society Islands, although less rainy due to the absence of relief. The warm and rainy season runs from November to April, with maximum rainfall in the months of December and January. The fresh and dry season runs from May to October, this is the best time to visit the archipelago.

Tuamotu Islands, Takaroa Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Rain (mm) 200 190 140 120 80 90 85 60 80 130 190 210 Min Temp (°C) 25 25 26 26 26 25 24 24 24 25 25 25 Max Temp (°C) 30 30 30 30 30 29 28 28 28 29 29 30

 

Rangiroa (Tuamotu Islands) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Sea Water Temperatures (°C) 27 27 27 28 28 27 26 26 26 26 27 27

 

Climate of Marquesas Islands: The Marquesas islands being nearest the equator have a sub-tropical climate, warmer and humid compared to the Society Islands, and with little marked seasons. The precipitation vary considerably depending on exposure to prevailing winds, the annual average is maintained between 1000 and 3000 mm. The warmer and humid season is between the months of January and August, while the fresh and less rainy season goes from September to December. 

Marquesas Islands, Hiva Oa (Atuona) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Rain (mm) 130 122 147 132 145 178 137 112 69 86 71 97 Min Temp (°C) 23 23 23 23 23 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 Max Temp (°C) 31 31 31 31 30 29 28 28 29 29 31 31

Austral Islands Climate: The Austral islands have the worst climate of the whole French Polynesia, in fact during the cool season the climate is similar to that of temperate zones, and during the warmer seasons, the climate resembles that of the tropics, this combination give frequent and abundant rainfall in all seasons, a high humidity and temperatures average less than 25°C, in addition to strong winds. 

Austral Islands, Tubuai Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Rain (mm) 200 210 180 180 150 100 150 140 110 130 130 200 Min Temp (°C) 23 23 23 22 20 18 18 18 18 19 20 21 Max Temp (°C) 28 28 28 27 26 24 24 23 24 25 26 27

Gambier Islands Climate: The climate of Gambier islands is very similar to that of the Austral, in fact they have a maritime climate, relatively fresh, with constant rain throughout the year.