According to militarynous, French Polynesia (French: Polynésie française) is a group of islands and overseas country of France, located in the South Pacific Ocean (Oceania). French Polynesia consists of the following five island groups: Austral Islands (Tubaï Islands, Bass Islands), Gambier Islands, Society Islands, Tuamotu Islands, and Marquesas Islands. The most famous islands within French Polynesia are: Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora. The capital of French Polynesia is Papeete on the main island of Tahiti. Some major cities in French Polynesia are: Faaa, Punaauia, Pirae and Mahina.
According to mathgeneral, French Polynesia is a group of islands that are mostly of volcanic origin and sometimes reach heights of up to 1000-1500 meters. All islands are dense with jungles. The islands are best known for its beautiful beaches. The beaches are known worldwide for their wide white sandy beaches with clear blue water. The waters around the islands are ideal for diving and snorkeling for the many unique fish and coral species. By far the most famous island of French Polynesia is Tahiti, where the capital Papeete is also located. This island also attracts the most tourists.
Where is French Polynesia?
Travel information of French Polynesia
Official name: French Polynesia
Continent: Oceania
Area: 4,000 km²
Capital: Papeete
Country code: PF, PYF
Population: 295,121 inhabitants (2020)
Government: Overseas collectivity of France
Highest point: 2,241 m (Mont Orohena)
Distance (Amsterdam – Papeete): 15,548 km
Flight time: approximately 18 hours and 20 minutes
Travel advice
Current status: No special security risks.
Current color code: Green.
Corona
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), there may be (temporary) measures in French Polynesia that you as a tourist may have to deal with. For the most up-to-date corona travel advice, please refer to our special coronavirus travel advice page. For the number of current corona infections, number of deaths and various corona-related graphs of French Polynesia, please visit Countryaah.
Travel offer
On our travel offer page you will find an overview of reliable travel organizations that offer complete trips and holidays to French Polynesia. In addition, you will find an overview of separate travel components (car rental, hotels and airline tickets) with which you can compose your ideal trip yourself.
Travel guides and maps
Are you looking for a travel guide, map, hiking map, cycling map, book or DVD about French Polynesia?
Excursions, activities and day trips
With the help of Countryaah you can reserve an excursion, activity, guided tour, entrance ticket and/or day trip for your stay in French Polynesia at a discount. This way you are assured of a place, in some cases you can skip the queue and you can already plan your travel program.
Weather and climate
French Polynesia has a tropical climate.
Temperatures are around 25 to 30 degrees all year round. In the months of May to November, heavy short rain showers occur, especially in the mountain areas.
The current weather (weather forecast) and a weather forecast for French Polynesia can be found on our extensive weather page.
Detailed information about the climate of French Polynesia can be found at Climate info.
Best time
May, June, July, August, September and October are the best months to travel to French Polynesia. This avoids the prolonged rainy season.
Language
Maohi (Tahitian) and French are both an official language in French Polynesia.
Travel documents
You must have a passport that is valid for at least 3 months upon departure from French Polynesia.
A visa is not necessary if you stay in French Polynesia for less than 3 months.
Embassies and consulates
Below is an overview of relevant diplomatic representations, including addresses and contact details.
Netherlands Embassy in New Zealand (also for French Polynesia):
netherlandsworldwide.nl.
French Embassy in the Netherlands: ambafrance-nl.org.
French consulates in the Netherlands: ambafrance-nl.org.
For urgent assistance, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 on +31247247247.
Vaccination (inoculation)
Before visiting French Polynesia, it is advisable to get one or more vaccinations.
For extensive vaccination advice and to make a vaccination appointment at home, please visit Thuisvaccinatie.nl. You can also see here whether your health insurance reimburses the vaccination(s).
Money and Currency
In French Polynesia, payment is made with the CFP franc (XPF).
The current position of this currency (currency, currency) can be found on our exchange rate page (under: French Pacific Islands Franc).
An overview of all ATMs in French Polynesia can be found on our ATMs page.
Price level
Prices in French Polynesia are much higher than in the Netherlands. The price difference with the Netherlands is +39% on average. Some examples are: restaurants (22% more expensive), food (65% more expensive), imported beer in catering (16% cheaper), cigarettes (18% more expensive) and public transport (28% cheaper). Please note that the price difference in tourist areas, especially during high season, may vary.
Tipping
In French Polynesia it is unusual to tip. This can even be perceived as offensive.
Time difference
– Society Islands: 11 hours earlier (winter time), 12 hours earlier (summer time).
– Austral Islands: 11 hours earlier (winter time), 12 hours earlier (summer time).
– Bass Islands: 11 hours earlier (winter time), 12 hours earlier (summer time).
– Tuamotu Islands: 11 hours earlier (winter time), 12 hours earlier (summer time).
– Marquesas Islands: 10.5 hours earlier (winter time), 11.5 hours earlier (summer time).
– Gambier Islands: 10 hours earlier (winter time), 11 hours earlier (summer time).
Above we talk about the time difference during our winter and summer time, because French Polynesia does not observe summer time.
Find the local times, dates and time zones for French Polynesia on our time difference page.
Traffic and route
In French Polynesia you have to drive on the right.
You do not need an international driver’s license to drive and/or rent a motor vehicle in French Polynesia.
With the Google route planner you can compile a route description from, to or within French Polynesia.
Electricity
In French Polynesia you can use a Dutch flat plug.
A round plug must have a recess for the grounding pin present in the socket. You need a travel plug if your plug does not have such a recess.
More information about electricity in French Polynesia can be found on our electricity page.
Emergency services
If you need help from the police, fire brigade and/or ambulance in an emergency, you can use the emergency numbers below.
– Police: 17
– Fire: 18
– Ambulance: 15
Tap water
It is not recommended to drink water from the tap.
If you are unable to buy bottled water, use a water purifier to purify the water or boil the water for 5 minutes. After this you can safely use it as drinking water and for things like brushing teeth, cleaning lenses and washing vegetables and / or fruit. More information about drinking water and/or the purchase of water purification products can be found on our drinking water page.
News and newspapers
The latest news related to French Polynesia can be found on Google news.
You can find an overview of the newspapers from French Polynesia on Abyznewslinks.
Internet
Websites from French Polynesia end in.pf.
French Polynesia official website: tahiti-tourisme.pf.
Telephony
The country code (international access code) to call someone in French Polynesia is 00689 or +689.
Do you want to call the Netherlands from French Polynesia? Then use the Dutch country code 0031 or +31.
(If using a country code, omit the leading 0 of the number to be called.)
Phone numbers can be found in the French Polynesia Telephone Directory.
Company details can be found in the Yellow Pages of French Polynesia.
Photos and videos
On Flickr you will find a nice collection of photos of French Polynesia.
On Youtube you will find a nice collection of videos from French Polynesia.
Holidays
An overview of all public holidays in French Polynesia can be found on Beleven.org.
Reviews and travel experiences
On Zoover and TripAdvisor you will find reviews from travelers about accommodations (eg hotels and holiday homes), restaurants and destinations in French Polynesia, supplemented with photos, videos and places of interest.
Travelogues
Are you looking for a travelogue about French Polynesia?
Here you will find travel reports and experiences of travelers who have previously visited French Polynesia. It is also possible to keep a free diary of your trip for family and/or friends.
Nature and world heritage
An overview of the protected nature areas (including national parks, reserves and wildlife parks) in French Polynesia can be found on Protected Planet.
French Polynesia is not on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Customs rules
Do you want to know how much you are allowed to import and export when traveling to French Polynesia? On the VisaHQ website you will find an overview with the maximum quantities of cigarettes, alcohol, money and perfume, among other things. If you stick to these quantities, you don’t have to declare anything to customs. In addition, on this website you will find the laws and regulations regarding the importation of pets and a list of everything that may not be imported and/or exported from French Polynesia.
Relevant legislation
Below you will find relevant laws and regulations that you may encounter during your visit to French Polynesia.
– Alcohol: Buying and/or drinking from the age of 18.
– Alcohol and traffic: The maximum permitted alcohol content is 0.5.
– Tobacco: Buying and/or smoking from the age of 18.
– Smoking ban: In public places.
– Homosexuality: Allowed
Did you know that…
…The islands of French Polynesia are spread over 2,500,000 km² of ocean?
…French Polynesia is often visited as a honeymoon destination?
…10% of the population is of Chinese descent?
…The letter B in Tahitian does not exist?
…Half of the population is under 20 years old?
…Houses in French Polynesia don’t have mailboxes for mail, but they do for bread?
