French Polynesia shelters one international airport only, located on the island of Tahiti (Tahiti – Faa’a).
Both international and domestic flights depart from the same terminal.
It is located 5 km from downtown Papeete, on the West coast, opposite Moorea.
How to get to Tahiti:
It takes about 22 to 24 hours to come from France and 8 hours from LA.
Air Tahiti Nui has been Tahiti’s own airline since 1998 (Tel 00 689 45.55.55). Air Tahiti Nui contact abroad
Flights to Paris, LA, Auckland, Sydney, Osaka, Tokyo and New York.
Entry in French Polynesia
French citizens only need a passport whatever the length of their stay. However, the expiry must be of at least 6 months (upon date of return) in case of an unscheduled stop over in the USA.
Citizens from the EU, Australia, Monaco and Switzerland will only need a passport and a visa for a stay over 3 months in the country.
Citizens from the USA, Argentina, Canada, Chile, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and most of the European countries outside of the EU will need a passport and a visa for any stay longer than a month.
Apart from residents and French citizens, all visitors must hold a return ticket upon arrival.
Specific entry rules apply for passengers arriving on a boat. These rules being likely to change without notice, it is advised to get in touch with a French Embassy or Consulate before departure.
Customs Upon arrival, all goods brought in must be declared. Local taxes may apply depending on the items and their value.
Don’t forget to carry the receipts of your personal belongings, such as computers, cameras & camcorders, dive gear…
It is stricly prohibited to bring any live animal, plant, art work or antique, medicines, weapons, phone & fax machine without a specific authorization. Contacting the local customs authorities beforehand is advised.
Vaccination There is no necessary vaccine for entry in French Polynesia.
Best time of the year to travel
In Tahiti, the weather is nice and warm year round. However, the rain season (November to April), in particular in December and January can be very wet.
La saison sèche (mai à octobre) est plus agréable
car moins pluvieuse (CQFD !) et plus fraîche.
The dry season (May to October) is pleasant and cooler. July and August are the best months in terms of weather and therefore the busiest with tourists and air fares are very high.
Jet Lag
Time in French Polynesia is GMT –10
The time difference is 12 hours with France and 11 hours in Winter, 2 hours with the US West Coast, 19 hours with Japan and 22 hours with New Zealand.
The Gambiers are one hour ahead of Tahiti and the Marquesas 30 minutes ahead
Los Angeles - USA
Tahiti Tourism
300 Continental Boulevard, Suite 160
El Segundo, California 90 245
Tel. 1 (310) 414 8484
Fax. 1 (310) 414 84 90
South America
Oficina de turismo de Tahiti y sus Islas
Av. 11 de Septiembre 2214 , Of.116,
Casilla 16057 - Santiago 9
Tel. (562) 251 2826
Fax. (562) 2331787
Japan
Tahiti Tourist promotion board
Sankyo Building (N°20) 8F-802, 3-11-5 Iidabashi,
Chiyoda Ku, Tokyo 102 - 0072 Japan
Tel. (81) 3 3265 0468
Fax. (81) 3 3265 0581
Tahiti
Fare Mahinihi (Bd Pomare, near the cruise ships dock) and at the airport
50.70.70
Moorea
At the airport, ferry dock in Vaiare and near the former Club Med in Haapiti.
Bora Bora
Vaitape dock
67.76.36
Huahine
Cargo dock in Fare
68.86.34
Raiatea
Ferry dock anda t the airport
66.23.33
Tahaa
Ferry dock
Road Transportation
By car Driving is on the right side of the road with similar rules as in France.
However, please drive safely and slowly. You may encounter any kind of vehicle on the road, speedy or not (dogs, bikes, group of people…).
Be cautious driving on Saturday night since people tend to have one drink too many and drive after a party.
Driving in Papeete during the day is terrible with traffic jams everywhere.
Finding a spot to park is very difficult.
In the other islands, the road is often a place where people meet, kids play ball and dogs wander.
Drive slowly and enjoy the scenic view.
Besides, roads are often bumpy.
« Trucks » are pretty uncomfortable vans used as a basic bus (no glass on the windows, seats are benches, no air con).
They are seen all over the Society islands. Inexpensive, you pay when you get off.
You can usually get off anywhere but there are regular bus stops signaled with a blue board and a white bus printed on.
Recently, regular new air conditioned buses have been introduced and are meant to replace the “trucks”.
Not as typical as the latter, they are nonetheless more comfortable.
Taxi Easy to find in Tahiti and the main islands, however, very expensive. Prices are legally set and the taxi must have a meter.
If not, the driver must tell you the cost beforehand.
In Moorea, if you hold an Air Moorea ticket, you will only pay 500 cfp wherever you go.
Ask Air Moorea in Tahiti to provide you with a taxi voucher.
Car rental Cars, scooters and bicycles are for rent everywhere (Avis, Europcar…).
You must be over 21 and hold your driver’s licence for at least a year.
Don’t forget to bring it as it is required to rent a car.
Most of the time, given the size of the islands, scooters and bicycles are a great way to discover the island and meet the locals along the road.
A few guest houses lend or rent bicycles.
Car rental offices Tahiti
- Avis Pacificar Papeete (689) 41 93 93
- Daniel Rent a Car Faa'a (689) 82 30 04
- Hertz Rent a Car Papeete (689) 42 04 71
- Robert Rent a Car Papeete (689) 42 97 20
- Europcar Inter-Rent Papeete (689) 45 24 24
- Tahiti Rent a Car Papeete (689) 42 74 49
- Tahiti INT'L Airport Faa'a (689) 81 94 00
- Centre Auto Paea Paea (689) 53.33.33
Moorea
- Europcar Moorea Haapiti (689) 56 34 00
- Albert Rent a Car Haapiti (689) 56 33 75
- Avis Rent a Car Haapiti (689) 56 50 07
Huahine
- Europcar Huahine Fare (689) 68 88 03
- Avis Fare Nui Fare (689) 68 73 34
- Huahine Locations Parea (689) 68 76 85
Ua Pou
- Pukue'e Locations Ua Pou (689) 92 50 83
- Mr. Piri Kohumoetini Ua Pou (689) 92 51 47
- Mr. Rudla Klima Ua Pou (689) 92 53 86
Hiva Oa
- Hiva Oa Tours Hiva Oa (689) 92 70 04
- David Locations Hiva Oa (689) 92 72 87
- Mrs. Marie-Louise Rohi Hiva Oa (689) 92 70 20
Ua Huka
- Vaipaee Ua Huka (689) 92 60 19
- Jonas Teikihuavanaka Ua Huka (689) 92 60 57
- Mr. Maurice Rootuehine Ua Huka (689) 92 60 55
- Mr. Paul Teatiu Ua Huka (689) 92 60 88
- Mr. Denis Fournier Ua Huka (689) 92 60 68
Fatu Hiva
- Mr. Henri Tuieinui Fatu Hiva (689) 92 80 23
- Mr. Didier Gilmore Fatu Hiva (689) 92 80 86
- Mr. Joseph Tetuanui Fatu Hiva (689) 92 80 09
Tubuai
- Mr. Bernard Le Guilloux Tubuai (689) 95 06 01
Rurutu
- Mr. Yves Gentilhomme Rurutu(689) 94 06 99
Geographical addresses There aren’t many roads or streets named in Tahiti, except in downtown Papeete.
In order not to get lost, the following is used:
- « PK » (Point kilométrique) from Papeete – Papeete being PK 0
- The side of the road is mentioned (sea or mountain side) using the main circle island road as the reference.
- East or West coast (for Tahiti)
For instance: Tahiti PK 11.2, sea side, East Coast is located 11.2 km from downtown Papeete on the seaside of the main road.
Post Office, Phone System and Internet
Post offices The OPT is equivalent to the French post office system and offer the same services.
Mail takes about one to two weeks to arrive.
Post offices are open from Monday to Friday from 7:00am to 3:00pm and on Saturday morning for a couple of hours, most of the time.
The central post office (phone # 42 43 00) is in Papeete, near the yacht dock and the Boungainville park.
It opens from Monday to Friday from 7:00am to 6:00pm and on Saturday from 8:00 to 11:00am.
There aren’t any postmen in French Polynesia so everyone uses a PO Box.
Telephone
Access to call abroad is available everywhere, either from a hotel or a phone booth or any regular phone or cell phone.
Local numbers have 6 figures.
Phone cards are available at the post office and most shops and can be used in any public phone booth throughout the country.
VINI – TIKIPHONE is the only cell phone operator in French Polynesia.
Please note that mobile phones with a French operator may not work over here.
Check with the operator beforehand. If not, VINI will have a choice of temporary contracts, however very expensive if you stay for a short period of time.
To call abroad when in French Polynesia, dial: 00 + country code + phone number For instance, when calling France, dial 00 and 33 (country code) then the number in France without the first 0.
To call French Polynesia from a foreign country, dial: 689 (country code) and the 6 figure number
Important phone numbers Police : 17
Firemen : 18
Paramedics/ambulance : 15
S.O.S doctor (in case of a medical problem – not emergency – at night or the week end) : 42.34.56
S.O.S. nurse : 43.56.00
Tahiti main hospital : 42.01.01
Clinique Paofai : 46.18.90
Clinique Cardella : 46.04.25
Sea rescue squad : 42.12.12
Customs : 50.55.50
Weather forecast : 36.65.08
Station cotière (Mahina radio) : 36.98
Information : 36.12 (Polynésia), 36.00 (international)
Telegrams : 13
Internet MANA is the only internet provider in French Polynesia.
Access online is available in the main hotels and cyber cafes (in Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora). Smaller structures sometimes have this service avaiable as well.
In order to get a connection on your computer, use the following parameters: Number to call : 36 88
Login : anonymous
Password : anonymous
Cost of the call is 33 XPF per minute.
A few cyber cafes: TIKI SOFT CAFE
Pont de l'Est, Papeete
Tel. (689) 88. 93. 98
Open everyday from 7:00am to 1:00 am
CYBERNESIA Centre VAIMA, Papeete
Tél. / Fax. : +689 85.43.67
MANA ROCK CAFE
Rue des Ecoles Boulevard Pomare, Papeete
Open from 7:00am to 3:00 am
Tel. (689) 50. 02. 40
Fax. (689) 48. 36. 37
Money
Currency The local currency is the Pacific Franc (XPF or CFP).
The exchange rate with the Euro is 1 euro = 119.33 cfp / 1,000 cfp = 8.38 euros.
The exchange rate with the US dollar varies.
US dollars and euros are accepted in many places but not necessarily in smaller shops or guest houses. Given the high exchange rate in the hotels, it is highly recommended to exchange money before the trip (if possible) or at the airport or in a local bank. There will be a commission to pay.
Bank notes of a value of: 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000 anc coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 cfp.
Banks
Open from 8:00am to 3:30pm (sometimes but rarely 5:00pm).
They are closed during the week end.
Please note that many small islands (eg remote Tuamotu atolls) do not have a bank branch. 3 banks in French Polynesia: Socredi, Banque de Tahiti, Banque de Polynesie.
Credit cards The main credit cards are accepted basically everywhere.
They may, however, not be accepted in smaller structures or handcraft places, such as some places at the Papeete market or in remote islands.
You will easily find cash dispensers in Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora.
In some remote islands, there isn’t even a bank! If you travel to that type of places, plan on carrying cas with you.
American Express is not accepted everywhere.
Tips Tipping is not customary in Tahiti but will be appreciated.
Health and Safety
The medical and health situation in French Polynesia is very good.
Medical services are similar to those in France.
There are very few natural health hazards on the islands (no snakes, no poisonous spiders…) and no dangerous tropical diseases such as malaria or yellow fever.
Mosquito borne Dengue fever may cause problems in case of epidemics – no vaccination or special treatment available before the trip.
The most dangerous hazards are the sun and mosquito bites!!.
It is the same scenario in the water. Although sharks may look scary, no accident linked to a shark attack has been recorded in years.
However, avoid touching the coral (fire coral) and wild animals in general (sharks, rays, dolphins, turtles, moray eels…).
Respect of the natural environment is the key to safety.
If you feel like walking in shallow water of swimming, wear booties or water shoes since the bottom is often covered with small pieces of coral and stone fish sometimes lie in shallow water and are very difficult to see.
Avoid eating lagoon fish since they may be contaminated the ciguatera toxin. Pelagic fish are usually not contaminated. Always ask beforehand if you want to fish in the lagoon. Do not eat turtle flesh, it is poisonous an they are a protected species in Tahiti and the islands.
Hospitals and clinics
Medical structures as similar to those in France.
The main hospital and the two clinics are in Papeete and smaller hospitals are in Raiatea and Nuku Hiva. You will find a small medical center anywhere else.
All of them have emergency rooms 24 hours a day.
Pharmacies There are pharmacies in Tahiti and the main islands. A pharmacy will always be “on call” during the week end in case of an emergency.
Health evacuation (Evasan) carried out by helicopter or plane (Air Tahiti).
Dive accidents
The main hospital (Mamao in Papeete) is the only one to have a recompression room.
The medical staff is extremely skilled and the equipment modern and new.
In case of an accident, the local doctors will decide to send the diver to Mamao Hospital.
Include in your luggage A first aid kit with a wide spectrum antibiotics, anti diarrhea medicine, moisturizing cream, disinfectant lotion, aspirin, banda id and mosquito repellent.
Safety French Polynesia is a safe country, generally speaking.
However, be cautious in Papeete and around the airport since several assaults took place.
This is anyway very rare compared to the large cities in Europe and the US.
The other islands are very safe but always you’re your belongings in a safe place.
Before Travelling
Temperatures are fairly warm year round.
No use to travel with a lot of clothes whatever the season. t. Pack comfortable T-shirts, shorts, skirts and flip flops.
If you plan to visit the Austral islands, take a sweater and lights pants for the evening.
Make sure you have sun lotion (sun block), sunglasses and a hat and take a light rain jacket or umbrella, just in case. Mosquito repellent is strongly recommended. You will find good quality repellent over here, but it will be cheaper to bring it with you.
Don’t forget to ask your travel agency or airline on the maximum authorized weight in order not to pay extra taxes for overweight luggage
LThe must haves are :
- Passport (and a visa if necessary)
- Driver’s licence
- Credit card and traveller’s cheques
- Sunglasses
- Sun lotion
- Mosquito repellent
- Adaptors to French plugs
- A hat or cap
- Shoes to walk in the water
- Light and comfortable shoes
- Flip flops
- Shorts
- Swimming suit
- T-shirts
- Short sleeve shirt or polo shirt
- Sweat shirt
- Light pants
- Waterproof bag to protect electronic devices, etc from water
- Adaptor french plugs
Useful items
- A light rain jacket
- First aid kit (only for back packers)
- A small knife (only for back packers)
Don’t forget to make a copy of your airline tickets and passport in case you lose them.
Diving Don’t forget your certification card and your log book.
Usually, the price of a dive includes full gear (except dive computer).
Anyway, you may want to bring your regulator, mask and fins. No need for gloves or knife. There is no need and it may be harmful to you or the others, the fauna and the flora.
Cameras / photos The high humidity level, the wind, sand and salt may damange your devices. Thus, protect them and clean them regularly. Waterproof cameras are useful since you will be either on or under the water most of the time. UV shields are recommended due to the strong brightness in this country.
For those using films, it is possible to have them developed in Tahiti in one hour. However, it is not possible in some other islands, on the delay is long and the cost is high.
Voltage French Polynesia uses 220volts à 60Hz (vs 50 Hz in France).
Plugs are similar to France’s.
Measurement system
French Polynesia uses the metric system.
Depth are indicated in meters and pressure in bars.
Accomodation
There are two main types of accomodation in French Polynesia:
- 4 star hotels : often with over water bungalows. Expensive but with a good service level.
- Guest houses: the choice is wide from very nice to pretty shabby, with a wide price range as well. Some of them offer a nice service in beautiful locations and may have over water bungalows. Make sure you have all the relevant information when you book. Although camping is not developed, you will find camp grounds in some of the islands.
Apart from the hotels, air conditioning is rare in the guest houses but there will be a fan in the room.
Restaurants
Food is nice in Tahiti and her islands. You will have a choice of traditional local Polynesian cuisine together with French, Chinese or international cuisines. Make sure you taste the famous raw marinated fish (red tuna marinated in coconut milk and lime juice). It is delicious and refreshing.
« Roulottes », vans customized to cook and serve food. They are usually quite inexpensive but the quality varies from one roulotte to the other.
There are some nice restaurants in the main islands with quality food. However, have a look at the prices on the menu beforehand since they may vary a lot from one place to the other.
Beef meet imported from New Zealand and fish are excellent and of very good value.
Wine is expensive and not always of good quality. You’d rather have a Hinano local beer or a bottle of It is not recommended to drink tap water.
If you buy fruits and vegetables from the market, make sure you rince them before eating them.
Local handcrafts are of good quality. A lot of products are imported from Asia and you will recognize them thanks to their lower price. Prices are usually not negotiable except for pearls.
Pearl shops are everywhere in Tahiti and the main islands. The choice being very wide, do not hesitate to visit and get information from several shops before purchasing.
French Polynesia “shelters” a few very good artists, carvers and painters. Their art work is usually on display in the art galleries (especially Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora).
For simple gifts to take back home, you may choose monoi, vanilla beans or pareos and for yourself, why not a tattoo?
Opening hours
Shops and main administrations open weekly from 7:30 am to noon and 1:30pm to 5:00 pm (sometimes earlier on Friday).
Few shops are open in Papeete on Saturday afternoon.
All shops are closed in the evening apart from a few gas stations.
Banks are closed on Saturday and Sunday and close earlier on Friday afternoon.
Post offices are open weekly from 7:00am to 3:00pm.
Bank holidays :
New Year, 5th March, Easter Friday and Monday, Whit Monday, 1st May, 8th May, 29th June, Bastille day – 14th July, 15th August, 1st November, Christmas day.
Domestic Flights
A couple of airlines
:
Air Tahiti (86.40.40 / 86.42.42) and Air Moorea (86.41.41).
Air Moorea flights all depart from the small domestic terminal 2 – on the right of the main airport of Tahiti. It is only a few minutes walk. Air Tahiti covers about 40 islands and owns a dozen modern airplanes (Dornier 228, ATR 42, ATR72with a very maintenance and meeting all safety regulations.
Air Moorea is a subsidiary of Air Tahiti. It is the link between Tahiti and Moorea (7minute flight). The planes welcome between 12 to 20 passengers. It is more expensive than the ferry but very convenient if you are in a hurry.
Distance and flight:
There are several flights a day to the top destinations such as Bora Bora, Raiatea and Rangiroa. For further details, please check the Air Tahiti schedule here.
For those of you wishing to visit several islands, Air Tahiti offers several inter island passes.
Contact your travel agency or visit the Air Tahiti website: www.airtahiti.pf or contact directly by e-mail at reservation@airtahiti.pf (tel : (689) 86 42 42, fax : (689) 86 40 99).
You may also visit www.islandsadventures.com offering different types of passes for both flights and accomodation and discount on your dives.
Divers have an extra 5 kg luggage allowed with Air Tahiti. You will only have to show your dive card.
For further information on the schedules, read the daily newspaper « La Dépêche de Tahiti”.
MOOREA There are several ferries coming back and forth during the day between Tahiti and Moorea. Depending on the boat, crossing will take between 30minutes to 1 hour. It is possible to cross with your car, bike or motorbike. Departures are from the ferry dock in downtown Papeete.
AREMITI CATAMARAN IV
Bureau d'information de Tahiti Tel. (689) 42. 88. 88 / Fax. (689)
42. 83. 83
Bureau d'information de Moorea Tel. (689) 56. 31. 10 / Fax. (689)
56. 43. 24
E-mail : aremiti@mail.pf
4 à 7 rotations / jours
AREMITI FERRY
Bureau d'information de Tahiti Tel. / Fax. (689) 42. 85. 85
Bureau d'information de Moorea Tel. (689) 56. 31. 10 / Fax. (689)
56. 43. 24
E-mail : aremiti@mail.pf
2 à 5 rotations / jours
LEEWARD ISLANDS (Shuttles) The Maupiti Express cruises several times a week between Bora Bora, Raiatea and Maupiti. The other boats cruise between Tahiti and Bora Bora with a stop on each island on the way (Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa). They leave twice a week and the journey between Tahiti and Bora Bora takes about 15 hours. Travel conditions aboard are very basic but very cheap.
MAUPITI EXPRESS
Tel. / Fax. Bora Bora (689) 67. 66. 69
Tel. (689) 78. 27. 22
Tel. Raiatea (689) 66. 37. 81
Escales: Maupiti, Raiatea, Bora Bora
4 fois / semaine
ARANUI 3
Tel. (689) 42. 62. 40 / 43. 76. 60
Fax. (689) 43. 48. 89
E-mail : aranui@mail.pf
WEB : www.aranui.com
Escales: Tahiti, Toutes les iles des Marquises, Takapoto et Rangiroa
1 à 2 fois / mois
TAPORO 6
Tel. (689) 42. 63. 93 / Fax. (689) 42. 06. 17
Escales: Tahiti, Toutes les iles des Marquises, Takapoto et Rangiroa
1 à 2 fois / mois
ILES AUSTRALES (cargo)
TUHAAPAE II
Tel. (689) 50. 96. 09 / Fax. (689) 42. 06. 09
E-mail : snath@mail.pf
Escales: Tahiti, Rimatara, Tubuai, Raivavae, Rapa
3 fois / mois
VINI – TIKIPHONE is the only cell phone operator in French Polynesia. 
MANA)
Beef meet imported from New Zealand and fish are excellent and of very good value. 
Air Tahiti covers about 40 islands and owns a dozen modern airplanes (Dornier 228, ATR 42, ATR72with a very maintenance and meeting all safety regulations.
