French Polynesia in December

Rainy start of cyclone season but Christmas fills everything — book early.

• Society Islands · Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatearainy

  Dry season May–October with trade winds (the maraamu can blow hard for days in July–August); December–March brings heavy showers, humidity and the main cyclone risk.

• Tuamotu atolls · Rangiroa, Fakarava, Tikehaufine

  Drier than the high islands; diving is good all year, with hammerheads Dec–Mar and the Fakarava grouper spawning around June–July.

• Marquesas · Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa, Ua Poubest weather

  Close to the equator, hot all year with no clear wet season; September–December is usually the driest and seas calmest for the Aranui.

• Austral Islands · Rurutu, Tubuai, Raivavaefine

  Cooler and windier; humpback whales at Rurutu from July to October.

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Christmas

  25 Dec

  Peak French and local travel; book inter-island flights months ahead.

Crowds · French Polynesia

High

Prices · French Polynesia

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• Marquesas

  Best weather of the year (Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa, Ua Pou)