French Polynesia travel resources
Bora Bora's lagoon, Moorea's peaks, Tuamotu atolls and the rugged Marquesas across five archipelagos.
Quick facts
- Currency
- CFP franc (XPF)
- Language
- French, Tahitian
- Best time to visit
- May–Oct (dry season) Compare countries by month
- Emergency
- 17 police · 18 fire · 15 ambulance Emergency numbers by country
- Plug types
- A, B, C, E, F Plug types by country
- Drives on
- Right Driving side by country
- Government travel advice
- UK Canada How to read it
General guidance; seasons vary by region. Plug types from Wikipedia's mains electricity by country table; currency and driving side from Wikidata; emergency numbers checked against UK government travel advice in . Check the latest advice for entry rules and safety before you book.
Before you go
- GOV.UK says UK passport holders can visit without a visa for up to 90 days, and your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after you leave.
- TravelHealthPro lists a risk of dengue. Avoid mosquito bites, particularly during the day.
Top destinations in French Polynesia
Travel resources
Travel tips
- Check Météo-France’s cyclone page for tracking and alert levels if you travel between November and April, when GOV.UK says cyclones can happen.
- Ask to see a dive operator’s credentials and check oxygen is on the boat. GOV.UK says the only hyperbaric chamber is in Papeete.
- Carry cash for remote archipelagos such as the Tuamotu. Tahiti Tourisme says cards work on the main islands and in hotels, but strongly recommends cash elsewhere.
- Ask permission before visiting a sacred, or tapu, site, and leave shells, sand, plants and rocks where they are. Tahiti Tourisme asks visitors to do both.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen without oxybenzone or octinoxate, and keep a respectful distance from living creatures, as Tahiti Tourisme’s sustainable stay tips ask.
Booking a hotel or tour in French Polynesia? See which review sites to trust and five checks before you pay.