Tahiti Weather

About the author, Michael Cottam Founder of Visual Itineraries, Michael lives in Bend, Oregon. He's an avid traveler, scuba diver, photographer, and a private pilot, and also the founder of Bright Yonder, which offers marketing tools to travel agents. He's been to Fiji, Thailand, Vietnam, Seychelles, Kenya, France, England, New Zealand, Jamaica, Belize, Costa Rica, Turks & Caicos, British Virgin Islands, Mexico, and the major islands in French Polynesia. He's been in Rotary for 23 years, currently on the board of the Greater Bend Rotary Club. Here's his LinkedIn and Pinterest.

Tahiti Weather: High Season vs. Low Season

During the high season, temperatures are milder and there are fewer rain showers with less humidity, and better visibility for divers. However, there are two or three times as many tourists per resort – thus increasing demand for sightseeing activities and prices for lodging and events.

Throughout the slower months, the costs are lower and there is less competition for spots on popular tours. Additionally, just because it’s off season it doesn’t mean the sun completely disappears! Tahiti still receives warming rays, although consecutive days of rain are possible.

Tahiti Weather: Average temperatures

The annual average temperature in Tahiti is 80 degrees Fahrenheit, or 27 degrees Celsius. Closer to the equator, the Tuamotu Atolls and the Marquesas Islands have slightly warmer temperatures than Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora.

During the high season, or winter, temperatures range from 70-82 degrees Fahrenheit, while in the low season, summer, temperatures vary from 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit. December and January average 12 inches of rain a month, however, Tahiti receives more hours of sun than Hawaii during the comparable humid season. Less than three inches of rain fall per month from June through September.

Tahiti Weather: Average precipitation

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What better place to experience the dramatic splendour of this South
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Learn more about Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa

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Tahiti Weather: Storms in French Polynesia

The humid season in Tahiti is from November to April. Occasionally, strong storms do develop. There actually ARE NO hurricanes in Tahiti (or anywhere in the South Pacific). That's not as good news as you might think--it's because they're not called hurricanes in that region, they're called cyclones :-). But there is good news: cyclones are rare, with the last powerful one occurring in 1982. You can get some pretty dramatic heavy rainfall however--during the humid season, it will often rain hard enough at night to wake you up.

High and Low Season Prices in Tahiti

The overall high season in French Polynesia extends from May 1 to October 31, although some resorts change their prices starting April 1. The low season covers November 1 to April 30.

TRAVEL SPECIAL: Tahiti Ia Ora Beach Resort

Tahiti Ia Ora Beach Resort managed by Sofitel 5 nights from 2,740 per person

French luxury and local cuisine in the world's most exciting city.

The Tahiti Ia Ora Beach Resort - Managed by Sofitel is located on the west coast, in the heart of tropical gardens, on the edge of the only white sand beach of the island, with a view over the sea, Moorea island and in the evenings, beautiful sunsets. You can relax in the sand-bottom pool. Free WiFi is available in public areas. It offers rooms with garden or lagoon view, overwater bungalows with a stunning view of Moorea island, 2 restaurants and 2 bars, and meeting rooms.

Learn more about Tahiti Ia Ora Beach Resort

Perfectly integrated into the luxuriant vegetation of the island, Tahiti Ia Ora Beach Resort managed by Sofitelfeatures large contemporary rooms, an inviting open air lobby and understated restaurants and bars with a stylish relaxed atmosphere.

Scuba Diving Visibility

French Polynesia's dry season has better visibility for scuba divers, as in the rainy season there's a lot more plankton.

However, that plankton brings the big pelagic creatures like whales, so you might actually PREFER to go in the wetter season. Peak visibility is going to be June through September--with visibility up to 60 meters.

If you're in the Society Islands (Bora Bora, Moorea, etc.) the visibility is actually pretty stable, at around 40 meters year-round.

Map of all Resorts in French Polynesia