Come to Tahiti

International Flights

When is the best time to come to Tahiti?

There is two major seasons in Tahiti:

  • November to April: Wet season, frequent heavy rain (up to three weeks in a row). As swells are mainly coming from north, the north coast is spilled with beach breaks ideal for beginning and intermediate surfers.
    Those north swells are the same that beat Hawaii's north shore in December, and can be really heavy.
  • May to October: Dry season, kinda « cold » (average 25°C), sunny most of the time. Swells are mainly south-east to south-west and make all south coast reef spots work well from Papeete to Fenua Aihere where Teahupo'o belongs. Most spots on this coast are reef and thus reserved to confirmed surfers.

Recommanded surf trip duration.

Even if swells reach Tahiti any time of the year, a two weeks surf trip is minimal to make sure to have unforgettable memories.

Customs and paperwork

You basically need the exact same stuff to come to Tahiti and to come to France. By the way, if you are in European Union, you need to make a stopover in USA, and then need an electronic passport, even if you are not really leaving European Community.
You can stay in Tahiti for one month ( three for EU citizens) If you need a visa to go to France, you will need one as well to come in French Polynesia, and it has to be labelled “Valid for French Polynesia”
No specific vaccine is required to come in French Polynesia.

In your luggage

Do NOT forget :

  • Light clothes . You should bring as much long sleeves than short sleeves shirts to be protected form both sun and mosquitos without being too hot. Prefer cotton. Remember large hats.
  • Small pharmacy . Bring disinfecting, steristrips for reef cuts, betadine for scrachtes, biafine for sunstrokes, sunscreen, and lipstick. An antibiotic cream for local application can be handy since infections are common in tropical countries. Last but not least, anti-mosquito products you can buy at home are quite ineffective, you will buy decent stuff in Tahiti.
  • Camera and Video . Digital is best, if you have any traditionnal chemical film, the prices for a decent process is really expensive, you should definitely have your film processed at home. Keep your stuff away from moisture and use watertight cases, some silicate and anything usefull to avoid rust. Store your films and tapes in the fridge as much as possible.
  • Electrical devices : Remember to get power adaptator, knowing that French Polynesia use 220V/60Hz Make sure to unplug anything that does not need to be plugged as electrical surtension may happen. A flashlight is often useful, especially in the islands.
  • Invoices : French Polynesia lives a lot thanks to customs income. Make sure you have the invoices for all expensive items. (Digital cam, Camcorder, Laptop...) Customs can be such a pain in the a*s...
  • Phone : To use prepaid phonecards, you will need a mobile phone (GSM 900MHz, deSIMlocked). If you want to use your provider roaming functionalities , the provider for French Polynesia is TIKIPHONE (extension +689)
  • Misc . : Fins, mask, snorkle,

What you may find easily:

  • Surf accesories : Wax, Dingall kit, FCS (either one or a set of three), Leash, Rashvest and any usual stuff.
  • Repair Workshop : You can make virtually any kind of repair . Show me the list
  • Internet access : You will find some cybercafe in Papeete, one hour is 1000 XPF. You can also use anonymous RTC (really slow) connection with your modem : Mana (34XPF a minute, really expensive...)
  • Misc : Efficient Anti-mosquitos.

What you may find if you really want it :

  • Surfboards : You may hire beginner boards from surf schools , get info in the surfshops .
  • Boat : It is not impossible to find "taxi boat" to get to the reef, but an easier way is to "hitchhick" your way in the channel or at the marina.
  • Telecommunication : You may hire local mobile phone to specialized provider, but if your stay is short, the simpler way is to get a prepaid card ( ViniCard , about 5000XPF in drugstores)

Useful info

You should check these website before planning your trip:

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